ABC Wednesday—D is for "dragon fruit"

Seems an apt name for these funky fruits,
which were on display in Chinatown.
I've never tasted them, but I'm told they
have a very mild flavor (a bit unexpected
considering the fancy "packaging").

[To see more posts that feature the letter D, go here.]

ABC Wednesday—L is for "lychee"

I can get these powerful little fruits in
NYC's Chinatown.  They're high in
antioxidants and kind of fun 
to eat (at least I think so).  
And you can use them to make this.

[To see more posts that feature the letter L, go here.]

That's My World

In case these boys were wondering what they're supposed to be 
doing here . . .  On the other hand, they are from NYC's hardworking 
Chinese community and probably do need to be reminded.  We're
celebrating the Year of the Rabbit here too.  Gung Hay Fat Choy!
[See more of the world here.]

abc wednesday - D is for "dim sum"

After a charity walk one Sunday morning,

we decided to keep on walking—right over to 

Chinatown for some amazing dim sum.

The thing I ate the most of: those yummy

greens. The thing I wouldn't touch with a

10-foot chopstick: tripe!

[You can find more "D" posts here.]

Thursday Photo Challenge: "Food"

They were in a tank, in a food store in Chinatown.
But I always thought of these fish as
strictly ornamental.  I'm confused.

[To see more of the Thursday Photo Challenge, go here.]

Mellow Yellow Monday

The Nom Wah Tea Parlor (opened in 1920) 

was the first dim sum restaurant

in Chinatown.  I have fond memories of coming

 here with my father when I was a kid. 

 He always made me figure out what the bill 

would be, since you pay by the plate.

Back in the fifties, it was 25 cents for a small

plate, 50 cents for a large one!

These days this place is constantly being shut down 

by the Dept. of Health. Hope they get

(and keep) their act together. Yes, it's a bit funky—

but you can't eat off my floors either

(except when my mom is coming for a visit).

really fresh fish

I stood there taking photos of these fish

flipping around in this bin—until I

realized they weren't going to be alive

that much longer.  I love taking photos

of fish, dead or alive, but I don't want

to stand there and WATCH them expire!

(And yet, still an omnivore—how 'bout you?)

low overhead

(in more ways than one)

I don't know if they've been 

operating THIS way for 26 years,

but they sure don't have to worry about how they're going to
pay the rent for the shop—no small thing in this economy.
Might get a bit chilly though.

my secret restaurant

Here's what I love about this Vietnamese/Chinese

place: You know it's a good sign when every time

you're there, you're invariably the only Caucasian

in the joint.  There IS a menu, but you can also

just describe what you want and they'll make it

for you.  (And no—call me a big meanie, but I'm not

telling you the name of this place. Maybe later.)

Doh!

I'm sure Tall Gary knows all about takoyaki

(he probably has it for breakfast).

But, frankly, I can't picture Homer Simpson

chowing down on this stuff—can you?

some day my prince will come . . .

. . . or maybe it's my dinner!  Saw these 

frogs on Mott St., in Chinatown. 

Next thing I knew, a young Chinese woman reached 

into the barrel and fished out this unlucky fellow 

(and a few of his friends).  I asked her what she

 was going to do with him.  If I thought she was 

going to impart some culinary wisdom I was soon 

put in my place.  Her answer: "Eat him!"

Chinatown

The opinions of the fish are not necessarily those of the blogger.

Hey, maybe he thought I was going to buy him and

eat him, as he was in a big tank with lots of his friends,

for that express purpose. But I've never had a fish stick

its tongue out at me before, and I really liked this one's chutzpah.