GaijinGirl

Make that..."best experienced that way". Typo...

Oooooooh. So Spicy and Tasty is also dim sum, and has both, Gifted G.? And Jing Fong? (Pan, I remember you said Jing Fong has Kaya Jam, which I *also* have on my to-try list.) I've been looking at reviews online - one thing that bothers me is the reviews that say that the service is bad - is this valid? And where on Grand to get prepacked duck tongue? (Feet, I've found at Kam Man.) For all the running I've done around Chinatown for the past year, I have yet to do my first dim sum, because I can't get a group together. (And I figure it's been experience that way.) My upcoming opportunity is that some relatives will be taking me out for my birthday and treating. Golden chance to get some dim sum...and I want to be sure that the new stuff I want to try is available.

Aflllllllacccccckkk! Actually, I want to try them both because I've never had them, and I'm curious. And it would be a MAJOR bonus if I could find a DIM SUM place that had them, so that I could taste a little, and then move on if necessary.... Anyone know of a place?!? :)))))

Need a recommendation! What's the best place to get good duck's tongue or sea cucumber? (Preferably both.) Got a birthday meal to plan, and that's what I want available....Thanks in advance! --Janet (Pitchblack70)

...(Dangerous thing to do, I know) But so many Malay/Indonesian dishes I've tried (and others) have a "double" title. Kueh, Kueh, Otak-otak, gado-gado, halo-halo, onde-onde. Why, why? Is it a cultural thing? Can someone explain? --Janet (Pitchblack)

Hi - had a question regarding the range of Chinese/Asian alcoholic drinks. I've had a few basics: sake, Tsing Tao beer, Export 33, plum wine, but there are alot of Asian alcoholic drinks that I've never tried. Question is: what types are out there, and what brands are best to try? I'm *big* on sweet taste (plum wine is a favorite of mine), and I heard from one person that almost all the liquors out there (like shochu?) are dry. Can anyone fill me in? Thanks a million for any help, --Janet (Pitchblack70)

Pan, Thanks for the reply - it will be a definite help in my search/exploration. Sanur actually *is* the new name of New Taste Good, and is also the place that Laksa found the Keuh Kueh. I've now tried the Kueh, but have yet to try the restaurant - the prices look extremely reasonable, have yet to sample the food. There's also a place on Bayard that apparently just closed, New Taste Good II (I think it *used* to be Ba Ba?) Then there's always the Malaysian restaurants in Flushing, although I know I said I didn't want to travel that far. I know I saw 2 on 40th street that looked like possibilities....Let me know if you know anything about them. And in any case, thanks for the help! --Janet

Oh - but there is one more reason I can see to go back to Nyonya - they have a few desserts I haven't seem elsewhere - one's a barley drink, the other I can't remember the name of...so I guess they'll just be for quick takeouts...!

Pan, I've become disenchanted with them too (I'm a spicy-lovin' kind of gal.) You seem to like Sentosa alot, but I'm from the Bronx and Chinatown Manhattan's closer. What do you think of the other options: Penang (tried 2 times and so far like) New Malaysia/Indonesia (in the corridor off Elizabeth) Sanur Singapore Cafe Eastanah (okay, that's Soho - never mind this one!) Also, any I missed? Thanks! ---Janet

My husband is a big-time homebrewer and meadmaker. When I mentioned this thread to him, he suggested that I mention Gotmead.com. It's where all the experienced meadists go to share and talk. The URL is: http://www.gotmead.com Janet

Laksa, that's really something else (I think I should get a lottery ticket, too.). Well, hi! (And sorry for staring at your stingray!) That was my husband, Phil, with me. He's a brewer and a big beer connesseiur (sp?), so make that 3 Tsing Tao's that he had! *********************************************** Question about what you (and everyone else) thinks about Nyonya. Just had Pasembur from them tonight (takeout) and I liked it alot. But again, it seemed slightly mild on the seasoning, although not as bad as the KangKung. Maybe Nyonya just tends to go mild??? Anyone? Also, PS: I've now tried the Keuh Kueh from Sanur. I think I've just had too many glutinous rice desserts at this point - they don't seem particularly distinct to me. Of the batch, I'd say I liked the green with white top one most - the richness of the white part was a great contrast to the green sweet layer. But I'll still go for a Rojak FAR quicker than the Keuh... (Apples and oranges, I know.) PS: Your wife seems very nice. Give my regards! --Janet

Laksa, Oh my - that was you???? Just to be sure, we were as far back in the restaurant as we could get before going into the "back area". I was facing the back wall, with the "other" couple to my left. I've got dark hair, I'm rather tall and lean - and I have to admit to staring rather intensely at the stingray. The gentleman (you?) commented that it was stingray at the time (I think I was being too obtrusive about it...) MAJOR Twilight Zone, if that was you! (Can't wait to get a confirm!) PS: Just tried the KangKung Belacan at Nyonya, and barely tasted much seasoning at all. Was rather disappointed at that, and now wonder if I should go for Pasembur or Ladies Fingers.

Pan- Actually, Nyona has Kerabu. Oh, and PS: I tried Murtabak and Coconut Pancake yesterday at Eastanah. Unfortunately, I had called ahead for pickup, and then hit traffic. As a result, it took an hour to get to the food, and everything was soggy (my fault.) My few impressions: Both the Murtabak and the Coconut Pancake were cut up into small bitesized pieces, with thin spreads between two slices of roti, which I imagine had started out flaky/crispy. The murtabak had ground beef and onion and the coconut pancake had a thin, sweet coconut mousse-like spread. I have so much to try, so I hate repeating a dish unless I know I love it. But I don't know that I can consider these two items properly tested.... *Sigh*

Funny that you should mention it, but I was at Penang about two weeks ago, and the couple at the table next to us ordered the stingray. I was fascinated by the banana leaf and the large amount of curry on the dish... Hmmmm - my tastes? I LOVE hot n' spicy, and also sweet (I was crazy for the rojak at Penang, for instance.) I like my tastes strong and rich, not subtle. (The tumeric rice is the only exception I've run across.) Re: food substances, I'm a seafood or chicken person, probably preferably the seafood. I also like tofu. In the past, I've also been a pasta fan (angel hair's my favorite), although I've been less carby due to diet as of late...

As some of you already know (thanks, Laksa and Pan!), I'm on an exploratory Malaysian quest. I've already had the following: Nasi Lemak, Turmeric Rice. Ikan Billis, Beef Rendang, Laksa, Rojak, Char Kwey Tow, Peanut Pancake, Shrimp Puffs and Coconut Pudding (And I have to say, of this list, I loved Rojak and Peanut Pancake the most...!) ..and I'm looking for the next big thing. A few of the items on my radar are: Pasember, Kerabu, Pork Intestines, Baby Oyster Omlet, Achat, Hainese Chicken Rice, or Chili Crab. Anyone have any opinions on what's the--well--most deserving to be sampled? Thanks in advance! Janet (Pitchblack70)

It was definitely the sweet hodduck, tasting primarily of honey, some cinnamon, and a bit of grated nuts, I think. Now that I think it over, the cinnamon was probably actually brown sugar.

I've have just come back from Hotteok nirvana, aka Ridgefield Hahn Reum. (Thanks, Laksa!!!!!) I brought the pictures of the Korean signs from this thread, ran to the baked counter, and pointed. It worked like a dream! The very nice counter lady read it, and knew exactly what I wanted. I am now stuffed with three Hotteok, and one fish pastry with sweet bean filling. (PS: I've been to the Hahn Reum in NYC, and it doesn't compare at all. Actually, the prebaked goods, such as Baram rice cake, are the same, but NOTHING compared to the fresh stuff that was at Ridgefield!) Yum, yum, yum, yum. But I didn't bring a camera, so no pictorial, I'm afraid. I also picked up two Korean beers for my husband, who's a brewer. Granted, he's partial to Belgian beers, so I don't know if he'll be crazy about them, but I know he'll want to try them out.... Laksa, as usual, you rule. (So does Pan.)

Pan - question: Murtabak - is it a crispy roti, or bready? (I've had roti canai, which was crispy, and I wasn't as impressed with it as the Jamaican bready/doughy roti I'd had previously, so I'd hate to go rushing to Eastanda for something I'll be so-so over...) Spaghetti: Well, my husband says I'm Keuh Keuh in general.....!

Okay...make that Ridgefield....!

Laksa, I think I'll dedicate a shrine to you as a bearer of great food knowledge. Hahn Reum in Ridgewood, NJ, hmmmm? And I was just thinking that I wanted to stay out of the city for the week (convention and all.) Since I'm of German-Russian heritage myself, I speak *no* Asian language, so I was thinking of bringing the pictures posted earlier in this thread with me if I go - they could read it and let me know if that's actually Hodduk....! (Still pending on getting the Keuh Keuh, incidentally...!) (You wouldn't believe it from the stuff I post about, but I'm actually quite thin....!) --Janet (Pitchblack70)

Re: Eastandah - I haven't eaten there yet, but it is on my list. (Keuh Keuh first...) I wouldn't be interested in Eastandah, but as far as I know, they're the only place that has Murtabak on the menu, which I also want to try! --Janet (Pitchblack70)

Flushing's where I've been thinking of searching - I don't know the neighborhood *at all* - but that just makes it adventurous, of course.... :) (I know Chinatown in Manhattan pretty 'durned' good.) And oh yes, Otafuku. :) Good place - a little on the pricey side, but where else in NYC can you get Okonomiyaki???? (Which does taste great - the tako balls were nice, also.) :) --Janet

Intregued by this thread - does anyone know where to find hodduk in NYC? (Barring that, then at least the an-filled fish pastries?) This thread has made me extremely interested in trying, but there's nothing I could find in K-Town on 32nd street.... Thanks, --Janet

Laksa, You ROCK!!!!!! I guess I know what I'm doing this weekend...! (Gee, and I *was* just going to go over to Eastandah, but this is much, much better!!!!!) --Janet (Pitchblack70)

So, Laksa, what would you say are your favorite Malaysian street foods, and why? (Not to get you tortured thinking about what can' t be served in Poughkeepsie...!)