Boka

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With its rowdy crowds of leather-clad punk runaways dwindling by the day, St. Marks Place has almost completed its transformation to Asian-eatery central. International students hungry for their native flavors and East Village regulars willing to brave the crowded sidewalks and shrieking undergrads pack the panoply of Asian establishments night after night. But until now, Korean fare has been hard to come by on this otherwise diverse restaurant row.

Enter Boka—a play on the Korean term for "stir fry" as well as the more recognizable Spanish "mouth"—which brings an extensive menu of Korean staples like kimchi rice balls, assorted bi bim bap and crispy, golden bon chon fried chicken. You'll encounter St. Marks’ usual throngs of young diners sipping shochu cocktails, and the by-the-numbers punk poseurs, so this probably isn't the right venue to bring your testy parents. But if you're jonesing for some Korean grub and don't want to hop the F train to K-town, grab your chopsticks and dig into some affordable eats.