Openings: Yubu on 7th Street, Evil Katsu on 9th Street

Yubu recently debuted in the sliver of a storefront at 86 E. Seventh St. just west of First Avenue. (First sighting here.)

The quick-serve shop offers a variety of Korean snacks and beverages ... and specializing in tofu pockets filled with items ranging from avocado to beef bulgogi. You can find their menu here

For now, they are open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (with a 9 p.m. close on Friday and Saturday). 

As previously noted, this spot has been a launching pad for businesses that grew and expanded into larger spaces elsewhere.

Abraço was here for 10 years before moving across the street in early 2017. Last summer, Suki, the Japanese curry shop, relocated to 111 First Ave. between Sixth Street and Seventh Street. (Suki also opened a sushi outpost on St. Mark's Place.)

In between these two, we had Cafe Che/Benny's Burritos & Empanadas, which, unfortunately, didn't catch on...

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Evil Katsu is now in its opening week at 435 E. Ninth St. between Avenue A and First Avenue. 

This is the first permanent space for the quick-serve restaurant that offers various katsu sets, sandos (aka Japanese sandwiches) and sides. 

Three East Village residents — Asher Sendyk, Chris Wagenlander and Hai Oliveira — are behind Evil Katsu, which got its start late last year as a pop-up ghost kitchen providing takeout and delivery on the Lower East Side.

The three hospitality veterans found themselves out of work during the pandemic last year and decided to start their own business on a month-to-month lease with the hopes that it would catch on. (It did.)

You can read our interview with Sendyk from December right here. Find their website and menu here. Listed hours are noon to 9 p.m., and closed on Mondays. 

Thanks to JG for the Evil Katsu pic!