After Boise restaurant closes, new one serves Monkey Brain? Dig in, Curious George

Ready to swing by a new Boise restaurant and feast on Monkey Brain?

Yum-yum, PETA.

Just kidding. No need to go all Planet of the Apes here.

Primates, of course, are not involved. Named for its cerebellum-stimulating appearance, Monkey Brain is a stuffed-avocado appetizer at Yanaki Japanese Restaurant & Asian Cuisine, 650 S. Vista Ave.

The sushi destination opened about a month ago. It quickly replaced Mr. Wok, a Korean restaurant that recently closed after a seven-year run.

Spicy-chicken addicts know that Mr. Wok also was a Vons Chicken outlet — two restaurants in the same building. With Boise’s Vons franchise shuttered, there’s only one Korean fried chicken restaurant left in the area: locally owned Han’s Chimaek at 1716 S. Broadway Ave.

If you ever ate at Mr. Wok, Yanaki will feel familiar. Ownership changed, but not a whole lot else did inside. Freshly hung banners hang outside the building.

But the menu is completely different.

“Our master chef Mike Kim is delighted to bring the taste of fusion,” Yanaki says on its website, “specializing in sushi and rolls ... . His 30 years of experience in various states allowed him to develop and create his own specialty and signature items. On top of Chef Mike’s specialties, we are excited to provide authentic Korean fusion made directly in our kitchen.”

In other words, the spirit of Mr. Wok lingers. The lengthy, two-sided menu includes a small section of “K-Dishes” including Korean staples such as beef bulgogi ($16.50) and bibimbap ($12).

But the focus is on sushi, sashimi and dozens of creative rolls ranging from the Sexy and Playboy to the Avatar, T.N.T. and Super Dragon. There are even two rolls served on fire, including one crafted to make you go, “Oh my God!” The OMG Roll ($14) includes crab meat, avocado and shrimp tempura on the inside and cooked shrimp, eel sauce and spicy mayo outside.

Yanaki also offers bento boxes (for lunch), noodles and soups (ramen is $7.50), and an assortment of salads.

As for that Monkey Brain? Its roots can be traced to a Southern California chain called Wokcano. (See video above.) Battered avocado is stuffed with crab meat and spicy tuna — then deep-fried — and drizzled with eel sauce, sriracha sauce and spicy mayo.

Go ahead, Curious George. Give Yanaki’s a try.

Online: yanakijapaneserestaurant.com.