Wandering Around NYC: Chinatown

Actually, I had not planned for Chinatown to be the first place to start off my wandering adventures.

But since my long-time friend suggested having dim sum there and I needed to stock up on my supply of herbs, and most importantly I am FREED from any work at the moment, it was a very good place and time to meet up. (^ ^)Y

Part of Chinatown near Little Italy

 

This is something in New York that I am always very intrigued by: Store spaces under the street.

If you don't watch your step while walking, you might just fall down the stairs (if there are any) because the entrance is just under the pavement.

Some of these underground spaces are used for storage purposes or kitchen area for the tiny restaurants above them. They usually have metal flap doors for the entrance which transform into flat ground when closed.

Chinatown Ice Cream Factory

It was by accident that another friend, 'Sister' Kure and I came by this place a few months ago.

We went in to check it out after seeing a sign which declared that it is voted one of the best ice creams in NY.

 

Custard and Black Sesame ice cream

At that time, it was mid-autumn when the weather was still cool. I remember wanting another flavor but it was sold out. So I opted for Custard instead.

Highly recommend this place because the gelato-like texture of this ice cream is just fabulous. Very smooth and creamy but not overwhelmingly rich or sweet.

Although I personally don't find the flavors there interesting, you'll still get some exotically nice flavors, like Lychee and Yam. (In case you're wondering, my idea of "interesting" ice cream runs in the flavors of bacon, fish, wasabi, flowers, miso, bovril, unagi, beef, leek, carrot, etc. So don't be too caught up by my opinion ;-P )       

Zen Butter ice cream

This time round, I asked for Pumpkin Pie and again, the flavor I wanted was sold out. (=_=)...

So I opted for Zen Butter, which was a mix of peanut butter and sesame ice cream. Honestly, I didn't know what it was when I ordered it. I was too intrigued by its name to think about its flavor, haha

I was very impressed when my friends went to get themselves Bubble Milk Tea and was asking them if they felt cold drinking that iced beverage in this weather. The temperature yesterday was -1 to 4 degrees.

And to think that a few minutes after my friends left to run their errands, I actually had an ice cream in my hand, LOL~~

Till now, I still can't decide if it was a ridiculous thing to be eating ice cream in freezing weather conditions. My lips were numbed even before I finished half of the ice cream and I couldn't taste much of the flavor.

But one thing's for sure, it was quite an experience (^ ^)"'

My favorite aisle: Tea on the right and Chinese herbs on the left (^ ^)

After my friends left, I stumbled upon the Hong Kong Supermarket while exploring Chinatown on my own.

It's a huge 2-level supermarket stocked with an immense amount of foodstuffs. I was really pleased to be able to find so much Asian foodstuffs in one place.

I think I spent around 1.5 hours browsing the area. You absolutely can't drag me out of any supermarkets, I'm a supermarket shopaholic, LOL.

In any case, the first place I normally explore in any country that I travel to is the local market since it is the best place to learn about the people's living habits. You'll be surprised at what you'll find in such places. I know I had much fun and learnt a lot there. (^ ^)

 

My Purchases:

Black fungus, Chinese barley, Dried red dates, Huai shan herb, Lotus seeds, Dried laver, Prepacked herbal soup ingredients. 

 

My dad advised me to get this 8 Treasure herbal soup to revive my energy

Thin egg noodles and flour vermicelli

I'm more of a noodle than a rice or bread kind of person.

Man tou (steamed buns)

One of the purchases that I'm very pleased with: Man tou.

There are more than 10 varieties available but there was only one that I could buy.

Reason: Because the rest uses soy bean oil in them!!! (> <*)

Why, why, why? Why do they use soy bean oil or soy flour in all the breads here?! I can't even eat a bagel without my skin breaking out due to food allergies. (> <*)***

Anyway, luckily this particular brand of mantou used corn oil instead. whew...

I love man tou. I don't know why, I just love it.

It's such a simple, fuss-free, filling and yet versatile food. There's always something very nostalgic about it...

You can steam it and eat it on its own, or deep-fry it till its golden brown and crispy on the surface or slice and fry it.

It is often eaten with a side or main dish, like chilli crab, stir-fried minced meat or vegetables, curries, chowders, etc. As I've mentioned earlier, it is a very versatile food. 

I like it plain on its own.

The ones in Singapore have sugar added in them so they are sweeter and more flavorful. In comparison, this version is plain and almost tasteless. But I still like it.

 

How I store my supply of dried herbs and foodstuffs.

Good way to recycle my containers.