(Chinatown, meet Trevor and Yael)
This past Friday, I finally had an opportunity to go on a walking food tour paid for by NYU Student Affairs. The tour was more of an informational one rather than food, but it’s always nice to learn a bit of history in the city that you live in. I learned that the Chinese stayed in what is considered to be main Chinatown downtown by Confucius plaza because of this old post road that used to run from DC to Philly to NYC to Boston. They became the first to set up overnight laundry centers and make decent food on the fly.
It was a completely gorgeous day, temperature hitting in the 80′s and we left around 1:30pm. We arrived at the Broadway/Nassau stop on the C train because our tour guide wanted to show us the point where Chinatown started.
Our first food stop was at Fried Dumpling. I wonder what they serve…
We each had a choice: either 5 fried dumplings or a pint of sweet and sour soup. Obviously, I chose the pork fried dumplings.
(Gosh, a bit dingy, don’t you think?)
I mean, they weren’t fantastic, but they were decent. There was too much pork for my liking and alot of fat in the pork at that. But, they’re only $1 for 5!
(Yael enjoys her Sweet & Sour soup!)
After some more talking from our tour guide, we finally arrived for our “Dim Sum” sample. I was extremely disappointed that it was just a spring roll. I mean, it was huge, but that’s not Dim Sum!! I expected something a bit more exotic and maybe a bit more of a variety? After all, you pick at least 5 varieties of dishes when you go to Dim Sum!
But, we still enjoyed our oh so greasy spring rolls. The thing couldn’t have been greasier. Maybe that’s why it was so good? It was vegetarian too.
Our last and final stop was at the Ice Cream palace! Regularly, the scoops are at an astounding $3.75 per. I could have sworn it was cheaper when I went two years ago, but I guess that’s inflation at its best. We had the choice between lychee and green tea. I chose green tea to be safe although I really wanted to try lychee. The green tea was creamy and sweet; not at all bitter like how some places serve it. And, it’s a light and playful green. Definitely used some bright food coloring in that one!
Trevor decided to be audacious and order the lychee, which was also good (depending on preference). Personally, I thought it was too overwhelming with lychee-ness but he enjoyed it.
The tour regularly costs $21. I think all of the food together might have cost less than $5? Also, the tour guide didn’t even talk about the food. It was as if they picked the cheapest spots for food along the way. So unless if you’re on the tour to learn about Chinatown and its history, I’d skip out on this food walking tour. That being said, I did learn alot and our tour guide Rick, was awesome!
NYC Discovery Chinatown Walking Tour
This tour of the largest Chinatown in North America features stops at Confucius Plaza, the site of the notorious Five Points slum made famous in Gangs of New York, Mott Street, and the residence of Sun-Yat-sen. Along the way, sample ethnic specialties, from dim sum and dumpling to green tea ice cream.
212-465-3331
You should also check out:
- The Great GoogaMooga | Prospect Park, Brooklyn
- An interview with Terry Chen of “Filled with Sweets”
- Co. Pizza
- Crif Dogs (take 2)- best hot dogs ever
- Saturday brunch at Locanda Verde
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great post! check your email!
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