Lychees in Season

June and July are a perfect time to buy lychees!   They are in season and at their most sweet and  juicy!  They usually start being sold in late spring and they are very hard to find in the autumn and winter.  As you walk around Chinatown you will undoubtedly see these golf- ball sized, red, spikyish grape-like fruits being sold in bundles on the streets and in the vegetable markets. Once you peel off the red skin, be ready to put this extremely juicy fruit in your mouth.

Most vendors sell them by the pound.  It ranges from $3.00/lb – $10.oo/lb.  Based on my experience, the more expensive they are, the more ripe and sweet they are. When you buy the cheaper ones, they tend to be less ripe- which means a less tender fruit that may not come off the pit as easily.  Sometimes they may not be as translucent. They also tend to be less sweet, but usually still pretty juicy. 

I like my lychees cold and I’ll put them in the fridge before eating them. Some of the shops in Chinatown sell lychee icees. Now that it’s in season, some places offer fresh lychees in their icees.  The icees are basically lychees topped with shaved ice and syrup and sometimes evaporated milk.  The New Pho Tu Do- (this Vietnamese place – review to come) on Bowery St (cross st Grand St)  offers it fresh.  At all other times of the year, they used canned lychees.

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.