Han Joo Opens In East Village - NYC

We know we can count on you, reader, to not be confused at Han Joo.

The staff at the new Korean restaurant in the East Village has become accustomed to explaining with a smile when American diners, unaccustomed to the free storm of banchan, start protesting when plate after little plate of complimentary food hits the table.

So although the St. Mark's clientele is not the same as that of the original Han Joo in Flushing, we're hoping these diners will adjust quickly.

Here's what is the same at the new location: the reasonable Queens prices (!), the wonderfully extensive menu and the tabletop crystal planks used to grill wisps of pork belly into glorious, charred submission ($38; serves two).

Once grilled, those porky bits are loaded into lettuce leaves and topped with a host of spicy, sweet and salty condiments. Grill, wrap, eat, repeat.

More little plates to logjam your table: tubular rice cakes ($5), kimchi-topped scallion pancakes ($7) and cold noodles so long we dare you to find their end ($10).

The best brouhaha at Han Joo is the one in diners' mouths.

Han Joo, 12 St. Mark's Pl. (between Second and Third aves.); 646-559-8683 or hanjoonyc.com