In the mood for some great, cheap Asian food but unwilling to walk far from campus? Check out these delicious, exotic restaurants right in the East Village.
1. Udon West
If you are looking for Japanese comfort food, Udon West might be the perfect place. Credited for its affordability and quality, Udon West is a hot spot for all NYU students. One favorite is the massive portion of Shrimp Tempura Udon, a $6.50 meal cooked right in front of you. But get ready to wait in line during busy hours, as this hole-in-the-wall space fills up fast. Make sure to also check out the joint’s hearty curry selection — the Katsu Curry ($7.50) is the perfect complement for a chilly night. But be forewarned: This restaurant is cash only.
11 St. Marks Place
2. Spot Dessert Bar
For anyone with a sweeth tooth, Spot offers a fun variety of pastries, ice cream, bubble tea and their famous tapas, all infused with unique Asian flavors. Some favorites are the Green “Tearamisu,” a green tea, madeleine sponge cake topped with matcha green tea essence, shaved white chocolate green tea, and the Vietnamese Coffee Ice Cream ($3 per scoop). Though it is a little pricey, this creative cafe provides a sweet atmosphere that is great for chatting with friends. Check out the daily special: Monday through Friday, from noon to 6 p.m., a cupcake and bubble tea combo for $5.
13 St. Marks Place
3. Boka
Why go up to Koreatown on 32nd Street when you can get the same food closer to campus? Serving the much-adored BonChon fried chicken, Boka showcases a wide range of Korean cuisine. The Kimchi Pancakes ($6) is a popular appetizer that can be shared with company. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the lunch specials are served — including the Bul Go Gi, marinated barbequed beef, and lunchbox — with salad, miso soup and rice, for only $9.95.
9 St. Marks Place
4. Pho 32
Late-night cravings are hard to fight when a Vietnamese noodle shop is nearby. Pho 32 is not only open 24 hours but has speedy and reliable service. The entrees are affordable for college students: $7.95 for the famous pho rice noodle soup with brisket. The vermicelli bowls are also reputable options ($9.25). It’s also important to note how vegetarian-friendly this joint is; an entire section of the menu dedicated to meatless eaters.
13 St. Marks Place
5. Yakitori Taisho
For the meat lovers, a trip to
Yakitori might be an ideal nighttime outing. With reasonable portions and decent prices, this Japanese restaurant is acclaimed for the succulent meat-on-sticks. For $13.50, you will be pleasantly surprised with 10 skewers of chicken, chicken skin, chicken gizzard, chicken meatball, pork and many other special combinations. With the fun and vibrant atmosphere, Yakitori is an easy place to catch up with friends while chewing on flavorful meat that mirrors authentic Japanese cuisine. Don’t be overwhelmed by the meat talk — there is also a great selection of rice bowls, grilled seafood, deep-fried tofu and sautéed eggplants.
5 St. Marks Place
A version of this article appeared in the Tuesday, Oct. 2 print edition. Michelle Lim is a contributing writer. Email her at [email protected].