(credit: NYSF)
We passed by the Rickshaw Dumpling truck late last week and noticed a few new signs in the window: sweet potato dumplings and kimchi beef dumplings.
Both of the new dumplings looked like they were worth trying, and we hoped to try both of them. But a short-sighted sales policy put the kibosh on that idea.
(credit: NYSF)
(credit: NYSF)
Walking by Union Square last week, we were surprised to see A-Pou’s Taste on 17th St, just west of Broadway. A-Pou’s Taste were Vendy Award Finalists in 2011 in the Rookie of the Year category, but we haven’t been there lately.
We were even more surprised to see a Basil Chicken special for $6. A-Pou’s Taste is known for their long, skinny dumplings, of which they have 4 types (beef, pork, chicken & veggie). This is the first time we’re trying anything from A-Pou’s Taste that isn’t a dumpling.
Not too long ago, we had basil chicken from Tuk Tuk Boy, a Thai cart, so this is a good opportunity to compare the two basil chicken dishes, which were quite different.
(credit: NYSF)
(credit: NYSF)
One of the pioneers of the NYC street food scene is Bian Dang. This brother and sister team started out as NYC Cravings, the name under which they were rewarded with a Rookie of the Year Vendy Award nomination in 2009.
The 2009 Vendy Awards is where we tried NYC Cravings for the first time. The name of the truck was later changed to Bian Dang, which means “lunch box” in Mandarin.
Due to serious mechanical issues, then the storm(s), the Bian Dang truck was off the road for nearly a month. We stopped by recently to welcome them back, and to get an order of Taiwanese pork chops for $7. We had this dish once before, about 2 years ago, but when we’re in the mood for something, it’s tough to go elsewhere.
We usually enjoy the appetizers at Bian Dang, with dumplings, steamed buns, tea eggs and zongzi, which they call Chinese tamales. Unfortunately, they had just sold the last tea egg, and were out of all the dumplings and buns. The only appetizer they still had was peanuts and anchovies for $3, which sounded like a pretty funky combo. Was it time to take one for the team? Click through to find out.
(credit: NYSF)
(credit: NYSF)
If you haven’t seen Bian Dang around lately, it’s because they had serious mechanical problems with the truck.
Even before Hurricane Sandy, Bian Dang was off the road for a week or so, at the mechanic’s getting a major overhaul.
The storm(s) obviously delayed things somewhat, but Bian Dang is back today at 53rd & Park, and presumably for the foreseeable future (although they did take a couple of months off during the winter last year).
Now you can have their great Taiwanese fried chicken again.
(credit: NYSF)
(credit: NYSF)
We’ve been to the Rickshaw Dumpling Truck numerous times, and have covered most of the lunch menu, but there’s one elusive Daily Special we have not been able to try yet – Peking duck dumplings.
We read about this special from time to time, but it seems like every time it’s tweeted, the truck is nowhere near us. Well, that finally got rectified last week, with Peking duck dumplings by Rockefeller Center.
The Peking duck dumplings are a bit more than pork or chicken dumplings, costing $4.25 for 3 or 6 for $7, which was our order. We also saw a small sign mentioning summer rolls for $3.50. Sold!
(credit: NYSF)
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