Hot Mini Cakes aka Hong Kong Cakes, Pancake Balls

Hot mini cakes, also known as pancake balls or Hong Kong cakes to some, have been a staple of Chinatown street treats for as long as I can remember.  They are bite sized, round, fluffy, light, and extremely fun to eat.  It is made to order using an ancient secret Chinese pancake batter poured over a hot steel griddle.

A little bit of historical fact: the first mini cake shop was located on the corner of Mosco and Mott Street in a bright red shack.  As a child, I remember my grandfather taking me there as a reward for doing well in school.  Although that shop is no longer around, there are several street vendors that still make this delicious treat.

There’s a mini cake vendor on Bowery and Pell Street, another one down on Canal and Mulberry Streets, and possibly one on Bowery and Hester Street.  However, the best (when I say best, I mean cheapest) mini cake vendor can be found on Grand and Bowery Street.  While others sell them for 15 pieces for $1, this guy sells you 20 for $1 – what a bargain!

K.L. Malaysia Beef Jerky Inc.

95A Elizabeth St., New York, NY 10013, Between Grand St. and Hester St.

This family owned beef jerky joint makes such delicous beef jerky.  I do not have words to drescibe the finger-lickin’, juicy, flavorful tenderness that is found in their beef and pork jerky.  This is truly one of those times that I find my lack of foodie vocabulary has failed me. All their jerky is good.  When it comes to jerky, I like mine a little spicy.  Although they also have the plain flavors.  Pork jerky is a little more tender and beef jerky is a tad tougher.  Both taste delicious.  This beef jerky is better than any jerky you will find prepackaged and way, way better than that tough stuff they sell at this other beef jerky place on Bayard St. Cost: Approx $16 per lb.

Another wonderful treat they offer are their ha koo cho (prunella vulgaris) and sugar cane drinks ($1). These drinks are used as Cantonese food therapy.  They offer the “yin or cooling” cure for too much “yang”.  (Sympoms of yang include dry skin, chapped lips, and mouth sores.) It’s a perfect refreshing drink to go with a delicious snack.

 

New South Wind Restaurant

21 Division St (near the statue of Confucius)
212-966-4116

This eclectic restaurant located on Division Street is one of the last remaining old school chinatown joints still in operation.  The place is run by a group of middle aged no nonsense ladies who will chew you up if you get out of line with them.  Lunch time and weekends are often most hectic and screaming of orders between the front counter and back kitchen happens quite often. 

As to what to order, my suggestion are the shrimp rice rolls (ha-mai-churng) and pork stuffed tofu.  These are hands down the best you can get this side of the Pacific. 

 

New South Wind has the absolute best coffee, hot or iced, in chinatwn – this is based on my personal experience as an avid coffee drinker and on trying almost all the other coffee joints in the area.    

3/24/2009 Update

New south wind is now closed after so many decades. It’s sad.