Want Want Chicken and scallion mini rice crackers: Crunchy rice crackers shaped like golden brown nuggets coated in a seasoning tasting largely of onion and garlic. I wouldn't have guessed it was chicken flavored, but it does have that vaguely bouillon + MSG mix you get from seasoned ramen packets. Overall, I thought it was so-so. I prefer the rice crackers that have a more balanced savory and sweet coating. Purchased from Hong Kong Supermarket in Chinatown, NYC. 2.5/5.0
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Queensyard Cheescake: This cheesecake comes from the neighboring cafe of British restaurant Queensyard in the new Hudson Yards mall. It's deceptively simple, with an egg-custard-like cheesecake topped with a handful of fresh berries, all encased in a slightly spiced crust. Its simplicity belies its top notch execution, particularly the biscuit base that crumbles under just the right amount of pressure. A strong recommend. 4.0/5.0
recommended pastry hudsonyards nyc cake queensyard cheescake 4.0
Peach Mart Super Dogs: These mini corn dogs are about the size of a donut hole and taste exactly as you would expect, with a sweet batter and savory hot dog interior. Overall, the snack is moist and satisfying, but the best part was definitely the sharp spicy mustard it came with – a small amount was potent and really lifted the fried snack to new levels. These super dogs cost $4 for a sampling of 5 pieces. Purchased at the new Momofuku Peach Mart at the Hudson Yards mall, a "convenient store" serving a selecti... (read more) 3.5/5.0
recommended nyc peachmart super dogs 3.5
Teazzi Tea Shop Deep roasted oolong milk tea: Teazzi is a mostly to-go Taiwanese bubble tea shop located a block away from the southwest edge of Union Square Park in Manhattan. I would normally have ordered their house special, which includes an intriguing mix of oats and boba, but opted for a lighter option with their deep roasted oolong milk tea at 30% sweetness. The quality of the tea itself was excellent – definitely tea-foward, with a pleasantly herbal flavor that was well balanced with the creaminess of very lightly sweetened mi... (read more) 4.0/5.0
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The Doughnut Project Hotteok Jeju Noodle Bar Donut: I got this donut exactly a week ago on the last day it was available from The Donut Project in the West Village (sorry for the delay in posting!). I had only ever had Hotteok once from a boxed mix from HMart, and not surprisingly, this donut interpretation from Korean ramen noodle shop Jeju Noodle Bar was much better. The dough had a great consistency, with a crisp griddled-like exterior and soft interior filled with a sweet crushed peanuts mix. Topped with a berry-jelly syrup and pistach... (read more) 3.5/5.0
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Keki Bakery Ube cheesecake : I purchased this "bouncy" ube Japanese cheesecake from Keki bakery in K-town after having tried their classic cheesecake at their Chinatown shop. Stated to serve 3-4, it easily could serve 5-6 if you're mainly in for a small taste. At $15, it's a great deal for the quality; combining the best of a rich cheesecake with a light and airy texture that I'd describe as more fluffy than bouncy (though we ate it the day after it was purchased, so the texture might have changed a bit). Its intense pu... (read more) 4.0/5.0
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