World Cuisine at Your Feet

International cuisine done cheap and easy.

Despite tough economic times, there’s no reason not to eat out, as some of the best culinary bargains in the city can actually be found out — as in, outside, on the street, in tiny shops with “take-out” decorum. These hidden treasures deceptively offer some of the best “street food” from other cultures to be found in the city, including tastes of China, Italy, the Middle East, Japan, Korea, and down south.

The Moo Goo Gai Panini from the Marco Polo Café

One area that excels at offering the finest in curbside international dining is St. Marks Place, where, now that the weather is warm, you can bypass the city’s white tablecloths and high prices to chow down on authentic ethnic street foods that will run you less than $10. Here’s a guide to spots that offer inexpensive culinary treats within their nondescript facades.

Crif Dogs
113 St. Marks Place
212.614.2728
Mon–Thurs, Noon–2 a.m. Fri & Sat, Noon–4 a.m. Sun, Noon–1 a.m.

Crif Dogs, the perfect stop for late night munchies, gets you a handmade, naturally smoked hot dog packed with flavor for just $2.75, and their “cheap ass specials” of two veggie or regular dogs with homemade lemonade cost just over $5.00.

Their bestselling dogs are the Spicy Redneck, a bacon-wrapped dog with chili and cole slaw topped with jalapenos; the Tsunami, also bacon-wrapped, but with teriyaki, pineapple and green onions; and the Chihuahua, yet another bacon-wrapped treat (notice a pattern?) topped with avocado and sour cream. Crif’s Corn Dog, which is dipped in special cornmeal batter and deep-fried to heavenly bliss, is another must-try.

If you’re flush, you can make like Superman to go through the phone booth into Crif’s secret bar, PDT (which stands for Please Don’t Tell). The drinks are pricey at $13 each, but come on, a phone booth…how can you resist?

Dumpling Man
100 St. Marks Place
212.505.2121
Mon–Thurs, Noon–11 p.m. Fri–Sun, Noon–12:30 a.m.

Dumplings don’t get any fresher or better than this! The manually dexterous staff assembles and cooks your order while you watch, including six plump, translucent, perfectly seasoned dumplings for about $5.00.

Everything is homemade here, including the al dente outer dough wrappers, which are never doughy or heavy. The fillings — including veggie, pork, chicken, shrimp, and surprise daily specials — are infused with herb and veggie juices, which make these dumplings especially moist and mouth-water fragrant.

Marco Polo Café
102 St. Marks Place
212.228.1038
Mon–Sat, Noon–10 p.m. Sun, Noon–8 p.m.

Can’t decide between Chinese and Italian? You don’t have to! Slip into the East Village’s newest foodie stop, the Marco Polo Café, for a bit of both. Husband and wife team Stefano (Italian) and Huihui (Chinese) serve up a little something from each of their countries like “Dumplavoli,” which are ravioli and dumpling combo plates, and “Moo Goo Gai Panini” (self-explanatory).

Must try items include their huge BBQ pork buns (3 for $4.50) which are better than anything down in Chinatown, and Stefano’s Bison meatball hero ($8.95) with his homemade marina sauce.

Otafuku
236 East 9th St. (btw 2nd & 3rd, closer to 2nd)
212.353.8503
Mon–Thurs, 1 p.m.–10 p.m. Fri & Sat, noon –11 p.m.; Sun, Noon–10 p.m.

Don’t blink, or you’ll miss this hole-in-the-wall spot that makes three authentic Japanese street foods so delicious that’ll swear you’re in Tokyo.

The hands-down, must-try dish is Okonomiyaki — thick, savory veggie pancakes made with either pork, beef, shrimp, squid, or corn with scallions, and topped with a sweet and sour Japanese sauce, mayo, huge bonito flakes, and seaweed powder.

Also on the menu are Takoyaki, which are hot, savory, donut-hole-like balls filled with tiny bits of octopus that are cooked on a special iron pan with golf-ball-sized spaces for the batter; and Yakisoba, pan-fried Japanese noodles with veggies, squid, and shrimp. You can order each alone, or in combo options.

If you can’t snag one of the seats on the bench in front of the shop, walk around the corner to the little park on 10th Street and 2nd Avenue at St. Marks Church.

The Korean-style tacos from Seoul Station

Seoul Station
81 St. Marks Place
212.979.9300
Tues–Sat, Noon–1 a.m.; Sun, Noon–10 p.m.

A newly opened spot for homemade Korean dishes like Bibimbap — warm toasted rice served with loads of veggies — and your choice of meats or tofu with a to-die-for spicy side of chili paste, all for under $8. Save room for their Korean-style taco ($2.50) with flavorful pork, Asian slaw, and their own delicious homemade sauce.

Ready for dessert?

The soft yogurt + toppings chains Pinkberry and Red Mango have spots on St. Mark’s Place, or you can try one of the sweet bubble teas at Tkettle (26 St. Marks Place) nearby. There are awesome cupcakes at Butter Lane (123 East 7th St.) and a bunch of surprisingly yummy sweet treats at Dessert Truck (parked most nights on University Place and 8th St).

Click onto FrancineSegan.com for info on Francine’s fun foodie talks and tastings.