This is the first in what may or may not be an occasional series (how's that for commitment?) that I'm calling the Tuesday Tramp. I don't have class on Tuesdays, so what tends to happen is that I sit in my room all morning, attempting to work, until I want to crawl out of my skin. Then I decide to take a walk and pick up some lunch along the way. What ensues is usually a multi-hour amble through some familiar or unfamiliar neighborhood during which I take some pictures and eat some food. Recently, I've been planning these field trips so that I hit up some of the places I've been meaning to try, and it's been fun, mostly, as long as the weather holds out.
I've been trying to expand my portfolio, so to speak. I'm far from a picky eater, but I tend to gravitate toward the same foods (ahem, cupcakes) unless I make an effort to venture out. Last week, I was inspired by this picture and various Chowhounders to tramp down to Chinatown and try something I've never had before: a fried pork bun. Fried. Pork. Bun. What a trio of bad news. I never crave meat, really, but put some bread around it and fry it and I won't say no. Except, in the end, I probably would.
This was my first stop: Dumpling House on Eldridge. Three pork buns for $1. ONE DOLLAR. SO THIS IS WHERE ALL THE CHEAP FOOD HAS BEEN HIDING! This picture makes them look big, but I'd say they're two-biters. Now keep in mind that I've never had these things before, so I can't so much "review" them as just give you my impressions. They were greasy. Really greasy. The bread was doughy and spongy--nice consistency but bland. I tried to get a shot of the porky inside, but instead the porky inside fell out. This is probably the least appetizing photo I have ever posted. In fact, I debated not posting it, but, here, for posterity, is the pork. On the floor.
The meat was pretty bland too. I wonder if maybe I should have let them cool down more. In any case, I trashed the remains and moved on to a more promising location.
Mei Li Wah Bakery on Bayard has been hailed for their roast pork buns, also known as "baked" or "brown" buns. Aren't they cute? One of these guys is almost the size of three Dumpling house buns, but it costs .80 cents. CENTS. And it's, like, A MEAL. In Manhattan. I can't get over it. If only I liked them more...
It's not that I didn't like them. I did. The baked dough had a slight crisp on the outside but was soft and yeasty and slightly sweet. The pork inside was much more flavorful, though it was too fatty for my taste. I was also curious about the Big Bun ("steamed bun with chicken, salted egg, and scallions"), so I ordered it. $1.60 for my curiosity.
I think I actually laughed when this arrived. It was huge! Easily twice the size of the roast bun. Unlike fried and roast buns, steamed buns are soft and doughy through and through. I liked that about them, but the bread to filling ratio was much higher.
So. much. dough. Also, the contents of the bun were not exactly what the menu described. Actually, they were totally different. Maybe there was chicken, but it tasted like pork to me. And there was definitely a mushroom or two in there, and maybe some sausage. Or maybe it was dog. The other problem was the thin layer of paper glommed on to the bottom of the bun, which I didn't notice until I was halfway through. Minor annoyance? Yes. But did I mention it was $1.60?
I don't think I'll be tramping downtown very often to satisfy a pork bun craving. (Boba tea, however, is a different story). But it was educational, and I love walking around Chinatown. I would have taken a million more pictures if the streets weren't quite so packed.
Speaking of pictures, I've got a bunch from various scenic spots around the city, so look out for that. Lots of sunsets and trees. Next Tuesday Tramp is in Hell's Kitchen, perhaps the most random neighborhood in New York. Now, back to Pnin!
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