maznycfoodie

 

One of the things I like about Asian sweets is their use of certain ingredients that people usually use in savory stuff.  One of those is the black bean...and of course red bean.  For now, today's article will be about the black bean hopia.  I am unaware if there is a red bean one.  If there is, please someone point me to the direction of good red bean hopia.  I have had two black hopias (as in from two different places).  The first time was bleh.  My mom bought some from BJ's Wholesale.  They were totally meh, no flavor. The second time I tried from a friend's place.  He bought it from New Golden Fung Wong Bakery in Manhattan Chinatown.  That is the pic of that hopia you see above.  I like it.  It has a subtle sweet flavor from the filling and the pastry part has a slight salt/savory flavor, sort of like those goldfish crackers but not as salty.  It's good to have for breakfast with tea or coffee.  I have a stash hidden in the freezer where no one sees it =D

So, anyone else have good recommendations for hopia, red or black bean?  I don't mind trying more! 

  Osaka Japanese Restaurant
224-23 Union Turnpike Oakland Gardens, NY 11364
718-217-8283
Website


Osaka is one of those common Japanese restaurants, like the common Chinese takeout except the common Japanese restaurants are nice places to sit down and eat.  Unlike Chinese take out restaurants which make family style portions, Japanese restaurants usually just make portions for one person.  Everyone orders their own food.  This also isn't the only Osaka in Queens.  There is another Osaka in Astoria, and while their menu, price and quality are almost equal, they are not owned by the same people.  They are two separate Japanese restaurants.  Osaka is pretty decent in my book.  It's a good place to eat with family and/or friends, and cheap and filling.  Like Chinese takeout restaurants, common Japanese restaurants have a variety of things to choose from.  Their menu includes katsu, teriyaki, donburi, udon and/or soba, tempura and of course, sushi and sashimi.  Staff are usually friendly. 

( Japanese Food, Yum! )

  So I returned from the Philippines like...last week.  Sorry it took long to update but here I am.  Today's post will be something I consumed from the Philippines obviously.

BreadTalk- I describe it as another version of Paris Baguette, if anyone has ever been to one.  There is one in Flushing, Queens so if you have been there, you'll get the idea I'm trying to get across.  So yes, very similar, lots of breads...sweet of course and savory sweet.  They also have some desserts.  Here is the website for BreadTalk.

BreadTalk

( And here are pictures of what I ate )

  Yes I know I'm only doing Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn but once in a while I may have reviews of restaurants in Staten Island, Long Island and the Bronx and maybe elsewhere.  Don't worry, everything shall be  tagged accordingly.

Some basic info
http://www.originalcrabshanty.com/
361 City Island Ave Bronx, NY 10464
718-885-1810

City Island is a small area in the Bronx, known for all their seafood restaurants.  In April for my mom's birthday we were gonna go to this expensive one that my parents tried on their own, but I looked it up, and it was pretty pricey for dinner...and there was gonna be six of us...they went for lunch which was cheaper and only the two of them plus my sister.  So searched for any other restaurant in the area, found Crab Shanty, Yelped it, and suggested it.  I have no regrets on the choosing the place, but as I look back at it now...considering I am slowly still in the process of getting over my pickiness (to be honest though I'm almost beyond the average eater level), I regret not getting crab.  But you know, I still did get something from the sea, so I don't feel too bad.

( The Original Crab Shanty Restaurant )

 I'm a "poor" college graduate who loves food and is expanding her tastebuds. I grew up really picky but I got tired of the same thing eventually. So now I search for yummy food and I have friends who aid me. So yes, maybe I am an amateur foodie, but that doesn't mean my opinions can't be of use.

I try out restaurants that look interesting and decently clean, and usually that I can find an online menu for, preferably priced (even if outdated a bit). Yelp is my restaurant search engine. Most importantly, since I am a poor middle class graduate (well not that poor), I only have interests mainly in places where I can get a complete meal (appetizer, entree, dessert and drink) for $50 or less, including 9% tax and 18% tip.

Currently I am only reviewing restaurants in Queens and Manhattan. Eventually I will include Brooklyn.

I will also soon be posting recipes that I have tried from the numerous cookbooks I possess.

If you would like to make restaurant or recipe requests, do so http://maznycfoodie.dreamwidth.org/347.html

Here are my other food blogs with the same post. Spread the word and share with everyone!

http://maznycfoodie.livejournal.com/
http://reasonablenycfoodie.tumblr.com/