I ran away to NYC

They say you can never run away from reality, but I say, you can always try.

Michelle Branch ft. Timberland "Getaway"

The lyrics seem to fit exactly what I've been feeling for the past few weeks... instead of going to the mountains like I did last weekend, I took a rather impulsive trip to New York City by bus instead.

I did a lot of finding good eats, eating, eating, and bargaining for super cute things when I could.

LUNCH: Joe's Ginger

I wandered along Mott St. until I came across Joe's Ginger on Pell St. (a side street towards the end of Mott St.). I have never eaten here but friends of my mom and my awesome friend Alyssa have raved about the steamed buns (小籠包 xiao long bao) and dumplings (鍋貼) here. For lunch I just ordered the appetizers: crab and pork steamed buns and pork dumplings.

I loved the crab and pork steamed buns... I think this is what this place is known for. There is a burst of flavor in each bite. Definitely try these if you go to NY.

Next order of business. Wandering back onto Mott Street, I made my way to Aji Ichiban, a Japanese/Chinese candy store that sells all sorts of dried fruits and candy... you can try each one before buying... omg so stuffed... I bought a few pounds worth of stuff here.

I basically wandered Mott Street for an hour buying cute bags. I got a super cute backpack and mini messenger bag for a grand total of $25.

It was really hot in New York and I wanted something to cool me down after walking outside for an hour.

SNACK: Fong Inn Too

I just discovered this place. They have the best soy/tofu foods. Inside looks kind of dark/dingy and there is nowhere to sit and eat. So, people just buy and stand around inside and eat.

I ordered a bowl of 豆腐花 (Dofu Fa, Chinese dessert) for $1.00

OMG... Best 豆腐花 I have ever had... it does not compare to any other ones I've tried. If you have a craving for something cool or... tofu... this is the place to be... and it's cheap!

I finally leave Mott Street and head to Canal Street to go check out Kanman Market. It has been renovated since the last time I've been there. Now there is a 3rd floor full of Hello Kitty and other Japanese cute things.

I spent a lot of time here b/c I fell in love with the kitchenware and tableware designs

This cute bean set is a set of chopstick holders

I love love love this soup and rice bowl set. The hair is the rice bowl while the face is the soup bowl.

I really love these tea sets. They are so cute and creative. The bumble bee and giraffe both come with two cups.

Aren't these two cups really cute? I love em.

These are actually erasers shaped as food in mini bento boxes.

This is for the hello kitty and pikachu pokemon lovers out there... so much stuff here.

Back on the street, I went in search of the place that sells really good Lo Paw Bang 老婆餅, a Chinese pastry.

I think this was towards the end of Mott St but I could be mistaken and unfortunately I don't have the English name of this place. But, they have the best pastries. They are not too dry and always come out perfect. I bought 18 老婆餅 to bring home.

*drools* It's sweet with winter melon (冬瓜) filling.

So back on Canal Street, I see all these street vendors. There are a bunch of little kids surrounding this one vendor, so I stop by to see what was the commotion...

Hand-made phone straps. So cute :D I got these 4 for $10.

Time for the best mini sponge cakes at Kam Hing Coffee Shop located on Baxter St. off of Canal St. It's a small bakery. They are best known for their sponge cakes. There is a latino guy there that speaks pretty good Cantonese. I was impressed.

These little cakes are so soft, they aren't too sweet but sweet enough, slightly moist, and are so good you can't eat just one. I bought 30 of these to bring home.

Back on Canal St., there are more food vendors and artists. The food vendors are mostly older folk who sell fresh fruit and veggies. Many were selling longans (龍眼), lychees (荔枝), and dragon fruit (火龍果).

The older gentleman that runs this stand was arguing with the other woman who also works here that after all these years he never got used to living here and that he'd like to go home. I found out they are from the same area in China as my mother, Zhong shan (中山) in Guangdong.

The longans were really sweet... they sold us 5 lbs worth x.x ... just because.

DINNER: Big Wong Restaurant back on Mott St.

The service is quick and it's a rather fast paced eating environment. Once you walk in the waiters/waitresses yell out to you: "How many!!! Come with me!" and they walk really fast to show you your table. The food is very good and on the cheap end. They always give huge helpings of food. For meat eaters I'd suggest the 3 combo rice plate (cha sew or pork, chicken, and a sunny side up egg that is excellent with the rice).

That's all I got from my escape from NYC! I just sped walked and ran 5 miles early this morning to get over this food day :)