My Flushing blog

Great Flushing Expose

2011-04-14T22:45:00.001-04:00

The Times ran an article covering all the insane development going on and coming up in the near future in Flushing. Everywhere you look you see construction, and large new projects.

I haven't written in a while, but I couldn't pass up this opportunity to re-amplify the light this article shines on Flushing. One day I may even add some comments and opinion, but in the meantime:

“Flushing is a bridge between China and Korea and the United States..."

Read the full story here: For Flushing and Its Waterfront, Time to Think Big

Americans and Soccer?

2010-06-13T10:20:00.003-04:00

Yesterday, I touched on the question of why it is so hard for Americans to enjoy Soccer the way it is enjoyed around the world. Well, coincidentally there was an excellent article in the New York Times yesterday that was published with impeccable timing. The article propounds one theory, and in my opinion, it hits the nail right on the head. The Hands Theory:

The Hands Theory is often invoked by Americans who are spooked by soccer and insist the sport will never get anywhere in the United States because we Yanks only understand games that involve the use of hands.

Sounds about right, eh? Anyway, the rest of the article is excellent. Check it out.

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Congrats to the US team's 1-1 draw against England.
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Here's the World Cup 2010 schedule, broken down into groups.

WORLD CUP 2010! Mundial Fever! Bafana!

2010-06-12T15:27:00.004-04:00

Yo, why is soccer such a lame sport in the US? That's the topic of another entry, and anyway who cares?! If you know anything then you will know that football, true football, is the greatest sport in the world. Catch the fever, don't listen to the lamos who call soccer a whack sport. Support a team. Argentina, Brazil, Italy, whoever, just jump on board and soak in the excitement.

Supposedly ESPN offers free matches streaming LIVE on their website espn3.com, formerly ESPN360, but you have to subscribe to an affiliated internet service provider. Otherwise, if your still trying to tune in online for free, check out univision.com. Si no entiendes español (if you don't understand Spanish), then open up a live audio broadcast in English, such as ESPN online radio coverage in English to compliment Univision's live video feed.

The U.S. team is playing a good match against England as I type this. Score is tied at one to one. The U.S. has come a long way, and to be honest, to give credit where credit's due, they're actually pretty good. But as far as giving them my support, well, I'm not quite sure I can, due to the fact I mentioned above--U.S. soccer fans lack the fuel, the passion, la gasolina, that propels the sport around the world. Maybe eventually, I can come out of the closet and support them. In the meantime, let's go Brazil!

Who you think will win the World Cup 2010?

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btw, congrats to Korea (who defeated Greece 2-0 this morning), and Argentina (who won 1-0 against Nigeria).

Fascinating Pics of Dynamic Flushing

2010-04-06T10:16:00.002-04:00

Captivating images of Flushing from the 1950's to the present:
Flushing Archives

Snowmageddon's Revenge

2010-02-26T11:13:00.004-05:00

Two snow days in one month! This is fantastic. At least for students and offices that were in their right minds to close for the day (sorry city employees). To those who have to work today, all the best to ya!

It's kinda nasty out there with poor visibility. Although I'll take this powdery snow to yesterday's sloppy, wetness any day.

Apparently this blizzard is worse than the original Snowmageddon earlier this month with 17" in Central Park vs. only 10" last time. Closer to home they're reporting 14" in College Point and just over 10" around Laguardia Airport.

Warm up some hot chocolate and kick back or bundle up and head out to the park to make a snowman!

Authorities Discover Four Tigers at Suburban Home

2010-02-21T13:53:00.002-05:00

This happened in a Suburban neighborhood in Sumatra, but I thought this story was still perfectly appropriate for the New Year. From the BBC:

They are now trying to establish whether the tigers belong to the endangered Sumatran species, of which there are only about 400 in the wild.
A conservation officer told the BBC they were looking for the homeowner.
He or she could face a heavy fine and a prison sentence of up to five years for illegally keeping the animals as pets.

Photo: Nationaal Archief of Holland, Flickr Commons.

Flushing Lunar New Year Parade 2010

2010-02-20T10:21:00.003-05:00

Today, Saturday, February 20, is the big Flushing Asian New Year Parade. It is always a lot of fun since Flushing is home to the largest community of East Asians in NYC, and seeing how spectacular the weather is today--45° & barley a cloud in the sky--it all adds up to a pretty good time.

Route: Begins, Union St and 37th Ave and ends at Main St and 39th Ave.

When: February 20, 2010, 11 a.m.
Fireworks - at Queens Crossing Mall (39th Ave and Main St) starting at 12:30 p.m.

Chinese Food and Folk Performances at Queens Crossing Mall:

The Chinese performers in the parade end the procession with a celebration at the Queens Crossing Mall, where there's more cultural activities.

Queens Crossing Mall: 136-17 39th Ave
1 p.m.

Korean Lunar New Year Celebration at Korea Village:

The Korean parade contingent celebrates at Korea Village's Open Center, a cultural space, where there will be Korean food, games, dancing, martial arts, music, and a karaoke contest.

Korea Village Open Center: 150-24 Northern Blvd at 150th St
TBD - 718-353-8969

MORE INFO at John Roleke's About.com blog/sight!

Happy New Year!

2010-02-16T20:14:00.004-05:00

Welcome to the Year of the Tiger! I hope everyone had a splendid Lunar New Year. May it bring plenty of luck and joy, and in the case of this blog, more diligent updates!

A little info on all you tigers out there:

The Tiger is said to be lucky vivid, lively and engaging. Another attribute of the Tiger is his incredible bravery, evidenced in his willingness to engage in battle or his undying courage. Maybe he’s so brave because he is so lucky. But the Chinese say a Tiger having a Tiger in the house is the very best protection against the evils of fire, burglary.

(Source)

Photo: The Field Museum, Flickr Commons.

Flushing VS Chinatown

2009-12-13T16:16:00.003-05:00

This is an interesting article from the Times that I recently found (although it was published a couple years ago), that talks about the differences in culture, food, and shopping between Chinatown Manhattan, and our beloved Flushing. Pretty cool read. Here's an excerpt:

Where Chinatown is shrouded in history, Flushing is bright and contemporary. The broad, flat cityscape of Queens is spiced up with the shiny metal-and-mirror aesthetic popular in industrial East Asia. "In Chinatown, everything is right in front of you," [the author's friend] said, putting her hand right in front of her face. "In Flushing, you can breathe."

Faces & Facts

2009-12-06T19:40:00.005-05:00

Here's the brochure for the show mentioned earlier today. The back lists the artists and the third opening date, which is December 10, at the Sylvia Wald and Po Kim Art Gallery in Manhattan.

(Click to enlarge)

Exciting Opening Today at Queens Museum

2009-12-06T14:02:00.005-05:00

Today is the opening of theQueens Museum of Art segment of one of the largest shows of Korean and Korean American art. The opening is from 3:00 to 6:00 pm, and the show runs from today until Feb. 21, 2010. The show is called Faces and Facts: Korean Contemporary Art in New York. Organized by Korean Cultural Service of New York, it is so large that it is being shown across three different venues, broken up into three sections: “Abstraction Now”, “Into the Life” and “Media, Media” will be presented respectively at Gallery Korea of the KCSNY, the Sylvia Wald and Po Kim Art Gallery and the QMA.

Located next to the Unisphere in Flushing Meadows Park. Click here for directions.

View Larger Map

City Acquires Landmark Bowne House

2009-11-18T13:48:00.000-05:00

I'd been wanting to post about this. Slightly old news now, but still exciting none the less. I'll try to post updates as they come. Here's a blurb from the City Room blog:

New York City has taken ownership of the Bowne House, a 17th-century Anglo-Dutch structure in Flushing, Queens, that is a major symbol of the growth of religious freedom in America. The change in ownership, announced on Wednesday, clears the way for the wood-framed building, which has been closed for some time because of its poor condition, to undergo a major renovation and to be reopened by 2012.

The Solid and The Sublime at Crossing Art

2009-11-15T16:21:00.009-05:00

I just discovered Crossing Art, the relatively new art gallery located right in the heart of Flushing. Actually, it's in the new Queens Crossing Mall on 39th and Roosevelt. I have to say, I'm pretty excited about seeing what they're all about. Right now it's showing The Solid and The Sublime, featuring the work of Takeshi Hamanaka, Lin Shih Pao, Zhao Yi, and Liu Yonggong. The show is only through the 22nd, so make haste:

The Solid and The Sublime

Works by: Takeshi Hamanaka, Lin Shih Pao, Zhao Yi, and Liu Yonggong

Exhibition Dates: Friday, October 9 – Tuesday November 22, 2009

(Flushing, NY – September, 2009) Crossing Art is pleased to present The Solid and The Sublime, Works by Takeshi Hamanaka, Lin Shih Pao, Zhao Yi, and Liu Yonggong. The exhibition brings together the work of four Asian Contemporary artists using solid materials that inform interpretations of the sublime.

Read more about the artists: click here.

Crossing Art
136-20 38th Avenue (Main Street & 39th Ave)
4th Floor
Flushing, NY 11354

Phone: +1-212-359-4333
Fax: +1-212-359-4321
Email: info@crossingart.com

Hours:
Tuesday-Saturday, 11am-6pm
Also by appointment

View Larger Map

Defective Ticket NYC

2009-11-09T15:50:00.002-05:00

I've mentioned parking tickets before in other posts, but because I recently received another ticket, which is terribly annoying, I wanted to share a valuable link with everyone.

It's to the PDF called "It's the Law: Your Rights When Disputing a Parking Ticket," published by the City of NY Dept. of Finance. The information on it came in handy before, as it describes what to look for in contesting a ticket due to errors that make it defective. But being as it's extremely difficult to find--it seems to have been removed from the NYC.gov website--I thought I'd share it here. (Big thanks to averad for posting this valuable info over at the freeadvice forums).

Odissi Dance Event

2009-11-09T12:40:00.000-05:00

Just came across this Odissi dance event at the beautiful Ganesh Hindu Temple on Bowne Street.
Should be a lot of fun. Nov. 14 at 4 pm.
45-57 Bowne St.
Flushing, NY 11355
718-460-8484

Queens International Film Festival 2009

2009-11-08T16:25:00.004-05:00

The Queens International Film Festival starts next Thursday. Check it out (November 12-15, 2009).
Check out the line up of feature films.

One More Pic (Johnny Damon)

2009-11-08T12:15:00.002-05:00

Pics of Yankees at Yankee Parade 2009

2009-11-07T12:58:00.011-05:00

Congratulations YANKS!
Here's a few low-rez pics of the Yankees before the parade. I may get around to posting higher resolution shots eventually, but hopefully this will whet your appetite, and in the meantime you should also check out two incredible slide-shows of the madness over on Daily News , and fox sports.

Mark Teixeira.

Reggie Jackson was in the house.
Jose Molina.
Melky Cabrera.

Girardi.
Deki Matsui. Omedetou gozaimasu on being MVP!
Jeter on the run!

Captain Jeter.

Congratulations Yankees!

2009-11-05T09:07:00.006-05:00

So there's going to be another parade down the "Canyon of Heroes," which should be pretty sweet (I'll try to get some pics). Apparently, Matsui tied for the highest ever RBI during a World Series. But I also wanted to say congratulations to John Liu of Flushing, in being elected City Comptroller, the first Asian-American to have done so.

A Selection of Free Upcoming Events in Flushing

2009-11-04T10:19:00.013-05:00

Here is a selection of free, exciting events coming up for the month of November at the Flushing branch of the Queens Library. This is just a sampling--there are plenty more:

11/06/09
7:00PM Constantine Finehouse Performs Solo and Chamber Works by Russian Composers
Russian-American pianist Constantine Finehouse and violinst Olga Kachanova will perform solo and chamber works by Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev, Rachmaninoff, Shostakovich and Petr Kravets, a living composer from New York. Please join us.
View more information in PDF format

11/09/09
6:00PM International Resource Center Presents: Explore Buenos Aires, the Sultry Capital of Argentina
Explore Buenos Aires' rich history, culture, and sites with Mr. Michael Luongo, adjunct professor of travel writing at NYU, as he takes you on a vicarious photo-journey through this Argentine capital noted for its Spanish colonial architecture. *In Rooms A&B, Lower Level*
View more information in PDF format

11/10/09
6:00PM Anya Yelizarova and Friends Sing Favorite Arias and Duets from Famous Operas
Join Anya and friends for a wonderful evening of favorite arias and duets from famous operas: Rossini’s "L’Italiana in Algeri," Puccini’s "Madame Butterfly," Saint-Saens’s "Samson et Dalila," Bizet’s "Carmen," and Tchaikovsky’s "The Queen of Spades."
View more information in PDF format

11/14/09
6:30PM International Resource Center presents: Lecture & Demonstration - The Colorful Kunqu Performing Art [see picture above]
Enjoy a lecture and demonstration of the Colorful Kunqu Performing Art with the Kunqu Society. Featured will be leading artists of the Shanghai Kunqu Troupe: Guyin Lin, Zhenhua Ji and Yilong Liu. With English translation and a bi-lingual program. *In Auditorium, Lower Level*
View more information in PDF format

11/19/09
6:00PM Excesses of Love: Japanese Poetry of Courtship & Love
Poetry is expected to facilitate love, or romance, in 9th- and 10th-century Japan. Why and how? Prof. Lewis Cook, Associate Professor of Japanese, Queens College, C.U.N.Y. will discuss the historical and social aspects of classical Japanese literature with a focus on the poetry of courtship and love.
View more information in PDF format

11/21/09
2:00PM 4-Hand Piano Concert with Dr. Joanne Chang
Dr. Joanne Chang, Assistant Professor in the Music Department at Queensborough Community College and worldwide performer in classical piano, will present a unique 4-hand concert with Dr. Tien Ni Chen. This performance will include works by 20th century contemporary composers such as Milahaud, Ravel, Debussy and 19th century works such as Brahms. *In Auditorium, Lower Level*
View more information in PDF format

11/28/09
2:00PM A Taste of Brazil Featuring Composer/Singer/Pianist Luiz Simas
Native of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Luiz Simas performs songs in Portuguese and English and instrumental music that feature favorite Brazilian standards such as Jobim’s bossa novas, as well as music by American composers like Gershwin played with a Brazilian flair, and some original and entertaining pieces.

Talismans of Protection Exhibit at Flushing Town Hall

2009-10-30T21:03:00.000-04:00

Talismans of Protection from Choson Korea: Antique Locks, Latches and Key Charms

Saturday, October 10, 2009 - Sunday, January 31, 2010
Suggested Donation: $5

Gallery Hours: Thursdays - Sundays, 12 - 5pm

[I've been wanting to check this out!]

This exhibition features a rare collection of locks, latches and key charms, from the Choson Dynasty (1392-1910). The items reveal the richly symbolic and exquisitely decorative dimensions of traditional Korean aesthetic and craft traditions. On loan from the Lock Museum in Seoul, and shown for the first time in the United States, organized by The Korea Society and co-presented with Flushing Town Hall, the collection includes beautifully designed metal and wood objects executed in myriad shapes: dragons, turtles, butterflies, fish, bats and swallows. Although these objects served functional purposes in everyday life, such as securing gates and protecting the contents of chests and other kinds of furniture, the beauty of their design underscores the primarily symbolic nature of the protection they afforded. The key charms evolved from functional key holders into exquisitely decorated personal accessories passed from mothers to daughters.

The exhibition will be on view in New York City at two venues: The Korea Society (October 8, 2009-January 29, 2010) and Flushing Town Hall (October 10, 2009-January 31, 2010).

Check out more:
Flushing Town Hall

13735 Northern Blvd
Flushing, NY 11354-4120

(718) 463-7700‎

-and-

The Korea Society

950 3 Ave

New York, NY 10022-2782

(212) 759-7525

Bedbugs Reports in Brooklyn Movie Theater

2009-10-25T09:55:00.003-04:00

This is pretty creepy! Makes for a good Halloween story I guess. Anyway, the Gothamist is reporting that there have been bedbug complaints at a movie theater in Sheepshead Bay in Brooklyn.

Makes me wanna stay home and download movies instead!

Racial and Ethnic Classifications Used by US Gov't

2009-10-18T16:30:00.001-04:00

The concept of race is a slippery one. Ethnicity is more substantial. I generally approve of the ability to be more specific in identifying ones ethnicity in recent US censuses. It allows for a clearer picture of the great diversity in this country despite the difficulty in the elusive pursuit of categorizing populations. If you're curious, check out this info from the US Census website about updates that went into effect in 2000. To read two excellent, opposing views on the validity of "race" check out Does Race Exist?, by Drs. C. Loring Brace (antagonist) and George W. Gil (proponent).

Anyway, I'm going to rant about this confusing request for demographic information on a Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) federal job application I recently came across (click on the image above for a close-up). The item in question is number one, option y (which, oddly enough, comes after options a-d), and reads "Not Hispanic, Puerto Rico." This is interesting because Puerto Rico's dominant language (and culture) is Spanish (or the Caribbean variant there of); therefore, by default, being Puerto Rican means being Hispanic (remember, we're talking ethnicity, so labels like black, Taíno, white, or indigenous do not apply in this case). The question does not seem to make sense. The only situation I can think in which someone might want to check "Not Hispanic, Puerto Rico," would be in the case of someone of Boricua ancestry, born somewhere outside the Hispano-world, say here on the US mainland--then perhaps a person might consider themselves Puerto Rican, but not Hispanic (as he or she may not necessarily speak Spanish), but again, if he or she accepted their Puerto Rican roots, almost certainly they would be considered Hispanic, no?

I'm open to interpretations. But it seems like a funny question on the application. This is a good case in point of how race and ethnicity can be a very slippery thing to pin-point or define. An excellent review of the terms "Hispanic" vs. "Latino/a" can be found at Notes from the newsroom on grammar, usage and style of the NY Times, by Philip B. Corbett. Of course, for better or for worse, we all know that here in New York, the adjective "Spanish" gets tossed around and added to the already confusing, soup of vaguely descriptive terms for people of the Hispanosphere (la hispanidad).

Flushing Library Presents: Learning Korean Culture Thru the Arts

2009-10-08T09:45:00.003-04:00

Tuesday, October 20, 2009
6:00 pm
Flushing Branch, Queens Library
Rooms A & B
718-661-1229
41-17 Main St. Flushing

Red Hot Lunch Specials

2009-09-19T14:34:00.001-04:00

I've written about Kyochon Chicken before, but I never touched on their lunch specials. Currently, they've got three awesome lunch specials available all for only $5.99 each, which includes a soda (with free refills). Super spicy, these meals will definitely open up your sinuses! Highly recommended for anyone who likes hot food. In descending order of spiciness, there's chicken bulgogi rice, chicken fried rice, and the least spicy, curry chicken.

The bulgogi rice, my personal favorite, is identical to jaeyukdopbap (spicy pork over rice), except instead of pork, obviously they use chicken. The chicken fried rice is more of a fusion dish, not particularly Korean, but pretty tasty nonetheless. While you wait for the food--it's cooked to order--try the fries as a tasty appetizer (small only $1.99).

Lunch Special: 11 am-4 pm

KyoChon Chicken 156-50 Northern Blvd
About a 10 minute bus ride from the 7 train -- well worth it!
Flushing, NY
718-939-9292

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Myeongdong Kalbi (Best Non-Lunch Special)

2009-09-16T14:08:00.000-04:00

I promised pics of the savory and affordable dishes at Myeongdong Kalbi (a.k.a. Shila, a.k.a. Korean BBQ)--the best deal for Korean in Flushing and here you go:

Bibimnaengmyun and banchon:

Massive Hwaedopbap (sashimi salad over rice):

Tasty Kalbi Jjim (Rib stew):

Taiwan Ex-leader Jailed for Life

2009-09-11T10:27:00.004-04:00

Taiwan's former President Chen Shui-bian has been sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of corruption by a court in Taipei.
Mr Chen was charged with embezzlement, taking bribes and money laundering, involving a total of $15m (£9m) while in office from 2000-2008.
Mr Chen had denied the charges, saying they were politically motivated.
His wife, Wu Shu-chen, already jailed for perjury in the case, was also sentenced to life for corruption.

(READ MORE at the BBC)

Best Affordable Korean in Flushing

2009-09-09T18:43:00.004-04:00

Myeongdong Kalbi or Shila. Or just Korean BBQ. It really isn't clear what the name of this restaurant officially is--it all depends on whether you read the English or the Korean (or the credit card receipt for that matter). But this restaurant is located in the Union St. H-Mart shopping center (you'll see the big bull cartoon picture). There's free parking on the inside of the shopping center. I've been meaning to write about this spot for a while now. I had been so into it, hitting it up for lunch at least weekly, all the while thinking the fantastically attractive menu was just a "lunch special," but it turns out its the regular, everyday, all the time menu! I gotta tell you, since I realized that, I've been going even more frequently.

There's a huge selection and it seems everything is delicious, but the amazing thing is that a good chunk, if not the majority of the dishes are under $10! This is the best--should I say it?--"recession special" in Flushing at the moment.

I'll post pics of food soon--but in the meantime, go for it. I pretty much love everything on the menu: the hwaedopbap is massive (bowl of sashimi over rice, greens and veggies to be mixed together with spicy kochujang sauce), the soondubu is excellent (thick & spicy tofu stew), good haejanguk (a hangover favorite), and lately I have been hooked on the daengjang stew & mackerel fillet combo ($7.99). Both varieties of naengmyun (cold noodles) are pretty good, although I find their
mul-naenmyun a bit tart for my liking (it's just a personal preference).

I haven't experimented with the BBQ yet, as I'm ever so frugal to keep it all in the budget, but over at Yelp, the sole entry for Shila Korean Restaurant by reviewer and critic Sal S., says the BBQ is pretty tasty (although she only gives the restaurant one star). I think she would have liked it better if she'd tried the other dishes. She mentions that the service was terrible--but I've only had the opposite, though I know how that can change quickly when places extremely busy.

View Larger Map
2922 Union Street
Flushing, NY 11354
(718) 445-3155

Crazy Assault on Roosevelt Ave.

2009-09-05T09:23:00.013-04:00

This is a true story that happened sometime last summer. I'd been meaning to post it but kept forgetting.

So me and my lady are walking down Roosevelt Ave, on a warm evening, heading no where in particular. And somewhere along the way, around Red Mango and Game-Stop, I notice that the group of girls who are walking directly ahead of us suddenly start acting strangely. One of them steps back suddenly, wincing. She looks disoriented for a couple of seconds and then keeps on walking. We continued walking another few feet and I look behind me just in time to see another girl looking stunned. I am not sure what is happening. I just see the crowds of people who always clog up the sidewalks on that part of Roosevelt.

We pull over to the edge of the sidewalk out of the flow of traffic, to get a better view. I notice an old women pulling a medium-sized, black cart holding a toilet plunger. Does she something to do with this strange string of events? So we keep watching and sure enough, SMACK, the old women plunges another girl in the face with her toilet plunger!

I can't believe my eyes! And the funniest (craziest?) part is that the victims are too stunned to react or do anything, and just keep on walking!

I look around for hidden cameras, thinking maybe it's some kind of sick, practical joke for a TV show. But no cameras. It's just a crazy old women with a toilet plunger. SMACK! This time it's a girl walking by herself while talking on the cell phone. She's startled, looks around and then at the Crazy Grandma in disbelief, and after a brief pause of deliberation, just walks on.

Sala: Good Greek Food in Flushing

2009-08-09T16:04:00.003-04:00

It’s definitely time for a restaurant review. Today, I’m going to talk about Sala Bar & Grill, a great Greek restaurant located in a big, beautiful, old house on Northern Boulevard. You may have noticed it; the large, antique facade is quite interesting.

Having passed by the fancy-looking establishment beaucoup times, I was just waiting for the right occasion to give it a try. Sala’s impressive exterior alone caught my attention. When a couple of friends came for a visit from out of town, one of whom was celebrating her birthday, I knew just the spot to take them. A quick peek on Yelp confirmed that it was worth checking out, and just like that we zipped on over.

A cozy and elegant interior welcomed us, along with a friendly wait staff. There’s a very attractive outdoor dining area as well. However, it was a bit too windy and cool to eat outdoors on this particular evening.

Indoors, the ambiance was excellent and the menu, with a variety of Greek dishes was pretty good--though I’m by no means an expert on Greek cuisine. There was some Gypsy Kings playing in the background, and quickly enough, we placed our order: stuffed lobster tail with risotto, baby-back ribs, rib-eye, and the Mediterranean chicken. All the dishes were wonderful, although, the lobster tail and the steak were probably the best, while the ribs were slightly too sweet. Try the Keo, a smooth Greek beer, to wash it all down.

Although we were all quite delightfully stuffed, we knew we couldn’t stop there; for desert, we shared baklava, crepes, and galaktoboureko, all three of which were divine.

The bill came out to around $115.00, which for the ambiance and cuisine-and it being a very special occasion with four people-was not at all bad.

They also serve brunch and lunch.

Sala Bar & Grill
189-11 Northern Blvd.
Flushing, NY 11358
718.888.0633

Added MTA Trip Planner Widget

2009-07-12T17:06:00.005-04:00

For a little extra ease of use and access to Flushing area restaurants, etc, I've added the MTA Trip Planner Widget (see the side bar). Hope it comes in handy. Otherwise, just do a google map search for directions to any of the places reviewed on My Flushing.

Take Care During this 4th of July Weekend

2009-07-05T15:01:00.005-04:00

Enjoy your weekend but remember to take care and stay safe. The Gothamist reports that this past Thursday night a hit-and-run claimed the life of a man in Flushing. Read more here. My condolences go out to the family of the victim.

North Korean Beer?

2009-07-04T13:38:00.006-04:00

This is pretty funny. North Korea has released a TV commercial for their own locally brewed beer, Pride of Pyongyang. At the BBC website, people are commenting that it's actually pretty good stuff. And according to another article published today, the brewery was formerly located in England, purchased by way of a German agency, completely dismantled, shipped and rebuilt in North Korea. The commercial is a trip though, and as some one commented, it looks as if the production company might have been tasting a little Pride of Pyongyang themselves producing it.

Touch on Culture and Self-Identity

2009-06-28T13:55:00.003-04:00

A good review of the book Fugitive Visions, by Jane Jeong Trenka, in this issue of L Magazine.

Reviewer discussing author and her life in Seoul:

"Trenka works with transnational adoption as a concept, and with the inevitable emotional consequences suffered by those raised in cultures vastly different than those of their biological families."

SOJU, SOJU, SOJU!

2009-06-21T12:11:00.002-04:00

I was just thinking about soju (소주 / 燒酒) recently. I mean, off and on I regularly enjoy this vodka-like Korean spirit that's nearly always in green bottles, but I don't think I've ever really gone into detail about it on My Flushing, other than a few brief mentions, like this one.

So, I figured, soju, the Korean liquor of choice, definitely deserves a shout. This spirit is so popular in fact, that it is described here as:

"...the powerfully pungent alcohol that, as some Koreans insist, can magically save their soul from the wretched past. It can take them to high places where no drugs could lift them; its liquid balm heals wounded hearts. To novelists like Kim Jong-kwang, who proudly titled his 2003 compilation of short stories, 'The Power of Soju and Jjamppong [spicy noodle soup],' soju can even raise and answer existential questions."

One of the most notable dishes that is paired with soju is samkyopsal. Most often, it's drunk straight up out of shot glasses. It's smooth and sweet, which can be extremely deceiving, because you may end up drinking more, faster than you realize. It's enjoyed very communally. In fact, according to KBS' Lets Have Soju Tonight, each bottle of soju contains exactly seven shots, so that if two, or three people are enjoying a bottle together, there will always be exactly one shot left at the end of the bottle, requiring you to order another. It's particularly this kind of cultural camaraderie that goes hand in hand with soju that makes it such a special spirit. It's a fun drink and can also be mixed with almost anything - a dangerous favorite of mine is called so-mek, a cocktail with a shot or so of soju added to a glass of beer (i.e. mekchu).

Here's a sweet quote from Let's Have Soju Tonight:

"Everyone is equal in front of this soju bottle. Since it heats the hearts of lonely people, soju has held a special meaning at least in Korea."

Asian Film Festival 2009

2009-06-19T09:35:00.004-04:00

Alright, so this isn't going on in Flushing, or even in Queens, but I figure a lot of you might be interested. It's the 7th annual Asian Film Festival and its on today until July 2 at the IFC Center, 323 Avenue of the Americas, at Third Street, Greenwich Village, (212) 924-7771, with associated screenings July 1 to 5 at Japan Society, 333 East 47th Street, Manhattan, (212) 715-1258.

“One of the city’s most valuable events.” – The New York Times

Check out the schedule and list of films.

Official IFC Center's website.

Knife-Wielding Man Shot Inside 109th Precinct

2009-06-04T23:47:00.003-04:00

Crazy and tragic events today near and in the 109th Precinct on Union St. in Flushing today.

"I'm very concerned because it's like a war zone," said Flushing resident Ron Kim. (as quoted on NY1).

Flushing Makes Top 50 Things List

2009-06-01T08:49:00.000-04:00

Flushing makes the new issue of Time Out New York's list of 50 Things to Do Now in New York City. Although, contrary to the blurb, I believe our Chinese community is in fact larger than the one in Manhattan.

H-Mart or Han Ah Reum?

2009-05-24T09:40:00.002-04:00

The biggest Korean super market chain on the East Coast, Han Ah Reum (한아름 hana-room), seems to be re-branding itself as H-Mart, at least in the English speaking world. I don't think the re-branding is happening as much in Korean, at least not to the same extent. The problem with this de facto two names/one store (i.e. Han Ah Reum vs. H-Mart), is it can be quite confusing for English speakers and Korean speakers when talking about the same store with one another. I've encountered this problem before with other Korean/English name translations and it's definitely something people should be aware of and avoid in the future for successful marketing.

Anyway, according to the Wikipedia entry on H-Mart, the branch in Woodside (61st and Woodside Ave) was the very first branch! And according to my estimates, there are 6 branches in the five boroughs alone, four in Flushing (including Goowha Market, which was taken over about a year or so ago)--two on Northern, one on Union and Goowha on 41st Ave, the Original Gangsta in Woodside, and a branch in K-Town on 32nd street, in Manhattan. And I know there's got to be at least one branch in NJ. So that's at least seven in the Tri-State alone! Plus, the super market franchise is branching out all over. I was in Denver not too long ago and was completely surprised when I saw how large the H-Mart there is (bigger than any of the NY branches). The only place H-Mart hasn't successfully penetrated is LA, or so I've heard. Over there, from what I understand, people are all about the Assi Super Markets.

Other Korean super markets here in the five boroughs are Hanyang and there is a branch of Assi. The Hanyang is pretty good (located on Northern near the KFC), and I understand it stays open 24 hrs a day, which is something the H-Marts don't do. *(UPDATE-most don't seem to, but the one at 141-40 Northern does). I haven't been to the Assi market, located on College Point Blvd; it looks old and run down.

But, I'd have to say that my favorite Korean super market--outside of Korea--is Palama Super Market. My favorite branch is located in Makiki, Honolulu. This place's specials aren't all that great--although they're decent at times--but it does have awesome food in the food court. And the prices, oh my goodness, the prices are unbelievable: $5.00 - 8.00 for humongous portions of absolutely delicious Koren food--naengmyun, bibimbap, ojingodopbap, LA kalbi. Got my mouth watering just thinking about it. Check out Palama's food descriptions on Yelp and next time you're in Honolulu make sure to stop in!

Former Prez Roh Moo Hyun Takes Own Life

2009-05-23T17:20:00.005-04:00

Sending thoughts and prayers to the former S. Korean president's family. Regardless of whatever scandals he was caught up in, it is a terribly sad shock to learn about his suicide. May his family overcome this tragedy.

Brief obituary from the AP:

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Embattled former President Roh Moo-hyun has jumped to his death while hiking in the mountains behind his rural southern home. He was 62.

Roh was hiking in the southern village of Bongha when he threw himself off a steep cliff, lawyer Moon Jae-in told reporters in the city of Busan. In a suicide note left for his family, Roh reportedly said life was difficult and apologized for making "too many people suffer."

Roh, a self-taught former human rights lawyer, had prided himself on his clean record in a country with a long history of corruption. He served as president from 2003 to 2008.

Roh had gone for an early Saturday morning walk, accompanied by a security guard, but half way up a mountain he hurled himself off a steep cliff.

Read here for a more elaborate obituary at tributes.com.

City of New York Giving More Tickets--UPDATE

2009-05-09T10:42:00.005-04:00

As mentioned in a previous post, I received a ticket that claimed I had "improperly displayed plates'," violation of Traffic Rule 4-08(j)(2). I finally got around to fighting it, and sure enough it was dismissed, but dismissed not because I made a point about how messed up the charge was, but the ticket just happened to have errors on it that made it defective. In other words, the ticket cited the wrong state regarding my license plate which made the ticket immediately dismissable. I was relieved to say the least, but still, it is ridiculous that I had to take two hours out of my day to go wait on line and fight it.
But it kind of makes you wonder who these traffic police really are. I mean, how hard is it to get the state of a license plate right? After all, how can you confuse this

for this?

That's like calling apples oranges.

NYC Parking Tickets Out of Control?

2009-04-26T10:41:00.005-04:00

After complaining about my unfair parking ticket a few weeks ago (City of New York Giving More Tickets?), I came across this interesting article. It says that people have been receiving $115 fire hydrant parking tickets when meanwhile the fire hydrants are completely hidden from view by construction barrels.

Gorgeous Weather

2009-04-25T23:24:00.001-04:00

So what's going on? Has summer sneaked up on us already? I tell you, don't blink or you'll miss Spring.

City of New York Giving More Tickets?

2009-04-05T14:25:00.009-04:00

Has anyone else noticed more ticket-giving lately? I mean, we all know that NYC meter maids are like mosquitoes in the amazon lurking in the shadows anxious to suck us dry. But more recently, I'm starting to wonder if it's getting out of hand. The City seems desperate for money in these "recessionary times."
Some people might argue that there's a limit to how much revenue the City can generate from traffic tickets, but how about other forms of ticketing? Two things lead me to believe that this is getting out of hand. One of them affected me directly.
1) For the first time ever, I saw a street vendor getting written up in Flushing! One evening a couple of weeks ago on the busy corner of Main and Roosevelt. It was kind of shocking. After all, it's Flushing not Manhattan. Everyone looks the other way around here. Downtown Main Street looks like a market in China--street vendors galore.
2) About a week ago in Woodside, I got a $68.00 ticket on my car for having "an improperly displayed plate." So, was it being displayed improperly, you ask? No. Did it have neon signs around it, or some other flickering lights or coverage? No. It simply had a license plate frame around it! You know, the kind that cars come with when you drive them off the dealership. I looked around at the cars on my block and just about every other one had a license plate frame, but alas no ticket.

Has anyone else noticed this kind of infuriating taxation? That's ridiculous.

Incredible BBQ at Hanjoo in Murray Hill

2009-03-22T10:09:00.013-04:00

Alright, so you already know that my favorite spot to get Korean BBQ in Flushing--or NYC for that matter--probably would have been Imonae Gui. Unfortunately, I just learned that the business has been taken over by new management--and I have yet to try it since.

However, I was happily introduced to an extremely scrumptious and high quality alternative, one that really compares to the old Imonae, perhaps even takes the crown. This place is located in the small, but bustling commercial neighborhood surrounding the MurrayHill LIRR station, east of downtown Flushing. There's no shortage of Korean restaurants around here, but this BBQ joint is a true gem.

It's called Hanjoo Chik Naengmyun & BBQ (or simply Hanjoo by the English signage) and is located on 149th Place, bet. 41st and Barclay Aves. Originally specializing only in naengmyun (cold noodle dishes), Hanjoo has taken to barbecuing with impressive confidence. The first thing that caught my eye was the grill: a slab of crystal placed over the fire. Hanjoo's is the only place I've ever seen with this. Next, the meat. It was thick and juicy and satisfying. We got Samkyopsal and the slabs of meat were well looked after by our waitress as they simmered on the crystal plate. Finally, what really caught my attention (and palette) was the rice on squash--dark blue chakokbap ("mixed grain" rice) on top of a slightly sweet cut of orange squash. The contrasting colors complimented nicely and the sweetness of the squash melted subtly into the rice.

prices: comprable for Korean BBQ (~$15-$20/person)
service: A (fast)
food: A+

Check it out:
Hanjoo 41-06 149 Pl. Flushing, NY 11355
718-359-6888

Best way to get here:
Take the LIRR Port Washington Line to Murray Hill Station ($3.25 City Ticket on weekends--app. 25 mins from Midtown).

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Learn more about NYC's other Murray Hill in this interesting Times article about the neighborhood's changing demographics (written in 2003).

Dedicated to Heroes Among Us.

2009-03-18T09:45:00.002-04:00

We all know that heroes come in all shapes and sizes. This might have been hard to grasp when we were young. I know I was disappointed when I found out that real heroes don't look like Superman. But then as we mature, the true beauty of a hero can be appreciated, simply by the fact that heroism shines through from ordinary people -- like our parents or siblings.

One day here in Flushing, I was witness to truly a great act of heroism. I was going into the Urban Terrain / Athlete's Foot on the corner of Roosevelt and Union St. to check out the sneakers. Coming out of the store immediately as I was entering, was a big guy huffing and puffing, and muttering something under his breath, that amounted to "if they don't gimme service I'mma take the damn thing."

Not really paying too much attention to it or the security system alarm going off, I thought "I wouldn't want to get in that dude's way," and continued into the store. This is where I first see the hero of this story. He's an average looking guy, average height, etc, standing around with a girl. I realized that they were communicating in sign language, and next that this average looking guy was trying to gesture to the store owner, a short, tough, old lady. He was trying to gesture that he witnessed the aforementioned tough-looking guy taking a shirt off the rack and sticking it down his pants before taking off out the door.

Due perhaps to the lack of verbal communication, the store clerk was ignoring our hero and even giving him a funny look. Giving up in frustration at the lack of results from the clerk, our hero bolted out the door, leaving his friend behind in the store. I poked my head out the door after him to see him racing down the block and whipping around the corner--apparently after the thief who left only minutes before.

I sat there in contemplation and a bit of worry crossed my mind. After all, our hero is a simple guy; an average chap. Who knows what he was about to get himself into. And after two minutes went by, and then three and four, I actually started to become concerned. Eventually, my concern/curiosity/nosiness got the best of me, and I too took off down the road and around the corner of Union, too. About a minute or so later, the hero was running back in my direction, waving a brand-new, flannel shirt in the air triumphantly. As he came towards me I felt a sense of relief seeing him in one piece. He was dripping with sweat, smiling like he'd just won an Olympic medal and zipped right past me back to the store.

By the time I got back to the store, he was already signing and gesturing the details to both his friend and to the store clerk, who by now was taking him a little more seriously. As a reward, the clerk allowed him to pick out a pair of shorts from the rack that had a sign that said "SALE: $5." Not exactly justice for such a heroic act, at least in this observer's eyes, but he was gleefully happy just the same, and that for sure is part of what being a hero is all about.

I'll never know what transpired over that few minutes when our hero was out of view and confronting that scary looking guy. And I probably won't ever know the hero's name. But at least I am able to capture the event here for others to ponder.

Native Speaker

2009-03-15T09:38:00.000-04:00

Anyone ever read Chang-rae Lee's Native Speaker? I keep hearing good things about it. Apparently it takes place in Flushing.

What Happened to 92.3 KROQ?

2009-03-15T09:02:00.002-04:00

Anyone notice that 92.3 KROQ isn't playing rock anymore? Or rather that they're playing a lot of poppy shiite? I did some very quick google searches and nobody else seems to be talking about this. The official website says that the station has become "92.3 Now," top forty music --but-- perhaps more importantly, that you can still tune into original KROQ if you have HD radio or online, here (listening online would be my only option).

Doesn't seem like KROQ just came back on the air like a year or two ago? I was kinda excited when they came back; all the nostalgic grunge and alternative rock that I grew up with.

Oh and according to the KROQ website, Jane's Addiction, one of my favorite bands, will be touring this summer with NIN and putting out a new album produced by Trent Reznor. More here.

So no more KROQ on the air. Oh well. Asi es la vida.

Belated Welcome to 2009

2009-02-28T09:49:00.003-05:00

Been around the world and I'm back again. Momentarily spent some time in Hawaii. Having tried to set up shop there, I can only say better wait until the tides of the economy come back in. And in the meantime, Spring isn't too far away!

My Flushing Update

2008-11-04T09:15:00.002-05:00

Hope everyone has gotten out or will get out to cast their ballets today.

I know updates have been sporadic lately. The economy hasn't helped with new restaurant explorations and, in addition, I'm three days deep into a 21 day detox which pretty much eliminates all restaurant food. The detox program is somewhat cumbersome; it's the second time I've done it, but it's a nice thing to do every so often to clean out the body of all that crap that gets mindlessly consumed.

The basic premise of the detox is no added salt, sugar, meats, dairy, caffeine (except maybe green tea), or other artificial crap. Instead, I eat only whole grain, fruit, vegetables, seafood, fish, etc. It's not that bad as long as you can find creative ways to spice up recipes that are otherwise very plain.

Last night I made hummus and falafels. Hummus came our great, but my first attempt at falafels was a whole other story. Completely unedible!

Don't Forget to Vote!

2008-10-31T16:36:00.001-04:00

투표하세요!

Early-Morning Fire Damages Flushing Buildings

2008-10-29T09:36:00.004-04:00

"Eyewitness News is told the wind-whipped blaze broke out inside the buildings on Roosevelt Avenue, near Main Street, just after 2:30 a.m.

Heavy flames were seen shooting through the windows and roof of the structures, destroying six businesses.

Firefighters tried to battle the blaze from inside but were forced back. Heavy winds are said to have helped spread the fire."
Read more here.

Water that was used to put out the fire leaked onto the tracks of the 7 train, interrupting service. It has since resumed, although buses were still being rerouted as late as 7:30 this morning. Check out the MTA's Service Alerts for updates.

Update on Flushing Apartment Explosion

2008-10-16T21:00:00.003-04:00

Frustrated tenants are still looking for answers after their Flushing apartment building exploded on July 25...

Pain lingers from Queens blast, victim dies and tenants not allowed back

This was a terrible disaster. I remember driving by that block on the day it happened. Firetrucks were all over the place. queenscrap.blogspot.com posted about this Daily News article.

Korean Mexicans

2008-10-16T11:40:00.003-04:00

This article on the Mexicans of Korean ancestory (3rd and 4th generation) came out a few months ago in the LA TIMES. Pretty cool article. Big up to mis hispanos/mexicanos/coreanos! Que viva la raza!

The teens and twentysomethings bear strong Korean features but consider themselves true Mexicans. Even their older chaperons, Fermin Kim and David Kim, 70 (not related), no longer spoke Korean -- though they are third- and fourth-generation Korean Mexicans...

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-me-koreanmex16-2008aug16,0,2642318.story

Update*
I forgot about this essay by Hyong-ju Kim (in Spanish) about Korean Immigration History in Mexico. Very interesting. Check it out here.

Lucia's Pizzeria on Roosevelt

2008-10-14T08:14:00.000-04:00

Pizza and pizzerias. Shoot, who doesn't love them. There's at least two pizzerias in the downtown Flushing area. And not too long ago (less than a year ago), there was a third, which got shut down for violations of some sort, located where Oh My Chicken is now--not replaced by anything the better.

Of the two remaining, Lucia's Pizza takes my vote all the way. Quick, hot and tasty, this place specializes in basic, thin crust cheese slices. At two and some change, it's not that bad. They have a few stools for seating, but it's not a big place, so you might just take it to go. Or have it delivered. Located at 136-55 Roosevelt Ave ('tween Main and Union). 718-445-1313

The other pizzeria, Barone's Pizzeria, is located on the east-side of Main St, near where the LIRR crosses overhead (40-27 Main St). There stuff never really impressed me, so I won't go into further detail.

Imonae, Flushing's Best BBQ

2008-10-11T16:40:00.003-04:00

Alright, so it's been quite a while since I've had Korean BBQ (e.g. samkyopsal, kalbi) at a restaurant, because quite frankly, it's damn expensive. Doing it up at home is a far more affordable alternative. But the other night, we got invited, which is a totally different thing altogether (because it means I'm not paying)! So our gracious host--my friend's boss--took us out to Imonae Gui 이모네 구이, a small restaurant without an English sign on Union St. south of Northern Blvd. It was my first time there, and man was I surprised. This is exactly the kind of place you don't want to try, because if you do, you'll be hooked. Honestly, I thought I knew delicious Korean BBQ, but this place reminded me how much I'd forgotten--after all, doing it up perfectly at home doesn't compete with what this place was offering--nor do many of the nearby restaurants. Thick slabs of juicy samkyopsal cooking up on the grill along with mushrooms and small pieces of pumpkin squash was making my mouth water. Among the banchun (sidedishes), was a fantastic dish of chotcal--probably some of the best chotcal I've had (and I don't usually like the stuff!). I ate and ate and I would have eaten more if I could have physically. I don't remember BBQ being so delicious even in Korea--and it's damn good in Korea! Go with the thick samkyopsal (one order per person; with a group of four you could get by with three orders, but don't order less than that). atmosphere: A- (pretty authentic -- soju flowing generously)
prices: average for BBQ (~$15-$20/person)
service: A (fast)
food: A+ (Dynomite!)
Check it out:
Imonae Gui between 37th Ave and Northern on Union St.
36-26 Union St.
Flushing, NY 11354
718-353-3444
*again, no English sign.

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HOT BAGEL

2008-10-10T20:55:00.001-04:00

Bagels. You know they're good. You can't live in NYC and not love bagels. It's just a given. With so many dope spots around, it's hard to know which is the best. Flushing's clearly no different.

I mentioned at least twice before that my spot is Hot Bagel, located on Northern Blvd. I knocked on it once, though, because I wasn't a fan of the new ownership it went under back a couple of months ago. But I gotta be honest, I couldn't stay away. But the reason I didn't switch to a different spot is b/c they're the only ones that can give me my fix of whitefish. This is a delicious topping on a toasted everything-bagel. But it's not available just anywhere.

Whitefish salad (this isn't tunafish).

Anywho, as it turns out, Hot Bagel has exchanged hands more than just that once. Incredibly, it's changed ownership two more times since that first changeover! That's four different owners in less than six months! Something's gotta be up. Is the establishment haunted? I dunno but I like my whitefish bagels so I keep on coming back. The newest proprietor seems extremely slow moving in preparing orders, but she's nice enough. Plus, I'm not too worried, b/c at Hot Bagel's turnover, chances aren't high she won't be around very long.

Woo Chon Korean Restaurant

2008-10-09T13:33:00.000-04:00

Woo Chon 우촌 is a cool place. I've eaten here a couple of times, but this last time I tried their fantastic bowl of Soondubu 순두부 찌개(spiced-up tofu stew with pork), and boy is it tasty. Believe it or not, Woo Chon has a breakfast special of there scrumptious dish for $4.99, but you gotta get there before 10 am. I highly recommend it; definitely worth hitting, if you can get over the idea of eating something so rich in the morning. But then again, sausage, eggs, and toast isn't really that much lighter, is it?

Here's a pic of soondubu that I got over at the now FatMan Seoul's now defunct blog . It's not Woo Chon's but just to give you an idea.

Woo Chon is located right across from the Flushing Library on Kissena Blvd. They've got their own flashy little website, although it seems to only mention their Manhattan branch. As an interesting aside, it is owned and operated by Yonbyon 연변 (also spelled Yanbian; i.e. Chinese of Korean descent), although I don't know if that's true as well with the Manhattan branch.

Food: A+
Service: B+
Atmosphere: B
Cost: A+ (for the breakfast special)

Woo Chon Korean Restaurant
41-19 Kissena Blvd.
Flushing, NY 11355

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Korean Input

2008-10-08T22:19:00.007-04:00

I know this isn't related to Flushing directly, but over on Kangmi's blog about learning the Korean language, I came across this pretty cool little javascript website, developed by Wonsok Chae, that converts your keyboard input into Korean characters (i.e. hangul 한글).

Pretty helpful if your using a computer that doesn't have Korean input installed (e.g. certain public libraries, work). It's different than other "virtual keyboards" where you have to use your mouse to click on the Korean letters that you want (like this one that I've used in the past). Instead, you type just as if you were typing onto a Korean keyboard -- you just have to remember where everything is.

Kyochon Chicken

2008-10-06T11:51:00.003-04:00

I've been wanting to blog about KyoChon Chicken for a while now, but just haven't gotten around to it until now (and coincidentally, it was featured in this weeks Village Voice). KyoChon Chicken is my favorite Korean-style chicken shack in Flushing. I mean, there might be comparably good chicken at any of the many competitors' spots but KyoChon honestly takes the cake. Not only does it have great chicken, but also has great beers on tap, combined with great beer specials. Well, they only really have two great beers: Blue Moon and Samuel Adams (the Coors Light doesn't count).

I talked about Korean-style chicken a while back, but it was in a negative review of the now not-so-recently-opened Oh My Chicken, which I can't believe is still around (kicking and screaming). Read the original scathing review/critique here. Oh My Chicken has tried just about everything to get customers from changing the signs out front and on their windows seriously about five times to handing out samples of their unsavory chicken out front to passers-by (like the free Chinese food samples at mall cafeterias).

FOOD: A+
Atmosphere: A
Beer: A+
Cost: C+ ($15-20 person)

KyoChon Chicken 156-50 Northern Blvd
About a 10 minute bus ride from the 7 train -- well worth it!
Behind the Washington Mutual (aka JP Morgan/Chase *wink) Flushing, NY
718-939-9292

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Short History of the Chinese Restaurant

2008-10-04T09:09:00.000-04:00

Fascinating article looks at the development of Chinese restaurants in America, inspired by a past exhibit at the Museum of Chinese in the Americas.

Here's a sampling to give you a taste:

Chinese eateries in America, known as "chow chows," which sprang up in California in the mid-19^th century to serve Cantonese laborers. True holes in the wall, they were marked, as per a Chinese tradition, with yellow cloth triangles. No menus have survived, if ever there were any; who knows but that they served stir-fried buffalo.
...
Would anyone have bet the bank on Chinese food back then? According to Chinese Restaurant News, there are now more Chinese restaurants in America than there are McDonald's franchises—nearly three times as many in fact.

Read the article here.

Cham! Ritual Dances of Bhutan Pics (part 3)

2008-10-03T13:18:00.001-04:00

I mentioned before that I'd post some pics from my visit to the Rubin Museum. If you do visit yourself, keep in mind that it's OK to snap shots on the 2nd floor, but that's the only place. The new exhibit, The Dragon's Gift: The Sacred Arts of Bhutan isn't on the 2nd floor.

There's an incredible collection of art here. Sculptures that date as far back as the 2nd Century AD (and from places as far away as Pakistan and Afghanistan)! Here are a few that I liked (I apologize for not including the descriptions):

This is 25-year old Sangay Coden, a weaver in residence visiting from Bhutan. Read more about her and her weaving here. The pic on the right are examples of the weaving (done by her I suspect ). Rubin Museum of Art
150 W. 17th St. (Manhattan--not Flushing or even Queens, but definitely worth a look!)
212-650-5000
*Closed Tuesdays

Rubin Museum of Art
The Dragon's Gift (thru January 5, 2009)
150 W. 17th St. (Manhattan--not Flushing or even Queens, but definitely worth a look!)
212-650-5000
*Closed Tuesdays

Cham! Ritual Dances of Bhutan Pics (part 2)

2008-10-02T11:40:00.006-04:00

Here's the follow up with a few more pics from Cham! Ritual Dances of Bhutan and descriptions about the significance and meaning of the dances from the flier. Keep in mind the pics posted here and in the last posting are of Tum Ngam, the first dance described below. (Scroll down to read the dance descriptions).

Descriptions of the two dances from the flier (note that at the bottom of the flier, it says "Dance descriptions adapted from the Bhutan Dance Access Database (C) Core of Culture, 2007"):

Tum Ngam (Dance of teh Terrifying Deities)
Tum Ngam is a demon-subjugation ritual. Tum means "wrathful" and ngam denotes a state of frenzy. During this ritual, any evil influences or spirits in teh area are forced out into the open and then tamed by the powerful deities of teh dance. Once surrounded, the malevolent spirits take shelter in a linga (a ritual effigy most often made of flour and butter) in the center of teh circle. There, trapped within a triangular vessel, the evil spirits are destroyed together with the linga by the phurba (sacred dagger) weilded by the champon (principal dagger).

The champon who leads the performance represents one of the eight manifestations of Padmasambhava, who is especially significant to the Bhutanese and is also known as "Precious Teacher." Dorje Drolo is a wrathful manifestation of Padmasambhava. According to legend, he assumed this form at Tagtsang (Tiger's Den), a cave on a cliff high above the Paro valley, after flying from Tiber on the back of a tigress. There, he fiercely subdued all the local gods and demons of the Himalayas and India, forcing them to pay allegiance to him and to become guardians and defenders of his teachings. In the Tum Ngam dance, the highly charged movements re-enact and recall Dorje Drolo's subjugation of all enemies who stand in the way of Buddhist teachings.

In Bhutanese tradition, it is highly auspicious to witness this dynamic dance. Ridding the area of malevolent influences, Dorje Drolo and his retinue of fierce deities dance to bring peace and harmony where disorder and discord had ruled. When taking their leave, they shower blessings upon the place.

Shanag Ngacham (Dance of the Black Hats with Drums)
Shanag Ngacham celebrates victory over the evil influences that oppose Buddhism. Sha means "hat," nag means "black," nga means "drum," and cham means "dance," This is one of a cycle of sacred dances known as teh Black Hat dance, which is performed with the intention of subjugating and destroying evil. It is also used to purify the ground before the construction and consecration of stupas, temples, and monastic fortresses. The powerful nature of teh dance is believed to frighten malevolent spirits away.

The colorful costumes of the Black Hat dance comprise large black hats covered in magical symbols (such as hexagrams, mirrors, and peacock feathers), rich silk-brocade gowns, adamntine collars, scarves, and boots. The costumes identify the dancers as poerful tantric devotees whose origins refer to the pre-Buddhist times.

There are different versions of the Black Hat dance, with the number of dancers ranging from five to more than twenty-one. The instruments and costumes also vary, depending upon the specific intention of each performance.

In the Shanag Ngacham version, each dancer holds a drum and a drumstick. In this dance, drums are considered celebratory instruments. The insistent rhythmic pulse drives the dance forward. "With diamond-like steps," the dancers draw an invisible mandala on the ground while the beat of the drums extends the celebratory message to all who hear it. For these reasons, the Shanag Ngacham is considered to be highly auspicious for all sentient creatures.

Cham! Ritual Dances of Bhutan Pics

2008-10-01T10:02:00.007-04:00

A couple of weeks ago I posted (here) about Cham! the Ritual Dances of Bhutan that were being performed around the city presented in association with the Rubin Museum of Art. They performed at the Unisphere in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, but I didn't catch them until later when they performed in Battery Park on the 19th.

These performances correlate with the The Dragon's Gift, a new exhibit on sacred art from Bhutan at the Rubin (organized by the Honolulu Academy of Arts). There are monks in residence at the museum, although they are from a separate monastery than those who performed the dance ceremonies.

It was truly incredible and, as you can see, I snapped a few shots. I couldn't believe how quiet downtown Manhattan had suddenly become as they performed to only a tambourine and a drum.

This description comes from the flier that was handed out at the performance:

Cham is the ancient ritual dance of Tantric Buddhism that has been preserved and performed in Bhutan for centuries. Performed at special religious festivals, the dances typically impar moral instruction or illustrate teachings. During performances, both the performers and audience members accumulate merit. The masked performers are always male and usually monks. Here, the monks of the monastic fortress of Trongsa perform two common examples of cham. The dances feature wrathful deities that destroy evil demons. As in much of the art on view in The Dragon's Gift: The Sacred Arts of Bhutan at the Rubin Museum of Art, wrathful forms of deities personify tantric techniques of transforming greed, ignorance, pride, and other spiritual poisons--demons we all possess and that stand in the way of our reaching enlightenment.

Around the City, the monks performed two separate dances, Tum Ngam (Dance of the Terrifying Deities) and Shanag Ngacham (Dance of the Black Hats with Drums). I only got to see the former. I will post more information from the flier about these two dances in the next post, and maybe something from my visit to the Rubin.

Korean Beer and Cars and Cash

2008-09-30T16:49:00.000-04:00

I'm a fan of beer and there are plenty of wonderful kinds of beer from around the world. Korean beers aren't my favorites but they're not that bad. The big three beers in Korea are Hite, Cass, and OB--my favorite (although Hite has some damn cool commercials).

These two little oddities particularly struck my fancy. I got these at a karaoke room in Korea, before learning that they don't usually serve alcoholic beverages in such places. Indeed it turned out these were alcohol-free, like O'douls.
Without really looking carefully, they immediately appear to be just ordinary cans of Cass, one of the three big beers. But it makes for a great kick upon realizing what's actually written on them!

Chusok 2008: Beautiful Weather & the Paraguayan Prez

2008-09-29T17:13:00.001-04:00

All in all, with beautiful weather, a good crowd, dope entertainment and plenty of food, the Korean Thanksgiving/Harvest Festival/Chusok celebration at Flushing Meadows Corona Park, NYC, was awesome. I'll definitely hit it up again next year. They don't even celebrate it like that in Korea! It's usually a stay at home w/ the fam kinda of holiday. But here in the NYC, it's big!

And, what made this day even cooler was that when I was heading back to the train, I came across a small gathering of people with Paraguayan flags. They were waiting to hear the president of Paraguay speak! What a crazy, cool coincidence. This is exactly why I love New York, Queens, and Flushing!

So, here's a few pics of the beautiful weather that day, and then a few more of the President Lugo of Paraguay.

Chusok 2008 Pics (part 6)

2008-09-28T12:00:00.000-04:00

Wrestling. WWF. WCW. WWE. Sumo. Greco-Roman. Whatever kind, it's all cool.

Korean wrestling, called Ssireum 씨름, is also pretty damn cool.

And at the Chusok festival in Flushing Meadows Corona Park I saw Ssireum in person for the very first time.

I took a few pics of the event to share with you.

Have a look and let me know what you think. According to my friends, it's not as big as it used to be in Korea. But these guys were doing a great job of keeping the tradition alive and having a fun at the same time.

Chusok 2008 Pics (part 5) CELEBS!

2008-09-27T16:54:00.001-04:00

Alrighty y'all, here are the long awaited pics of the celebs at NYC's Chusok 2008 at Flushing Meadows Corona Park:
Hot 97's Miss Info giving the introduction for Min.
Min (1)
Min (2)

G-Soul
J-Lim (1)
J-Lim (2)
Wonder Girls (1) --I was too far away for these
Wonder Girls (2)
JYP (aka Jin Young Park) (1)
JYP (2)

More Chusok 2008 Pics:
Part one.
Part two.
Part three.
Part four.

Chusok 2008 Pics (part 4)

2008-09-26T08:10:00.002-04:00

The Banners.

The Cars (The new Hyundai Genesis).

The VIPs (City Councilman John Liu, left, handing Korean Produce Association President an award, right)

More to come... (Part 5 will be the celebrities post so check back tomorrow!)

More Chusok 2008 Pics:
Part one.
Part two.
Part three.

Chusok 2008 Pics (part 3)

2008-09-25T10:53:00.001-04:00

Over on the wrestling grounds, this girl was ripping it up on the electric violin. People started jumping in and having fun. The old guy was having a good time.
Chusok 2008 Pics:
Part one.
Part two.

Authentic Asian Ramen

2008-09-24T16:56:00.006-04:00

Queens, and Flushing in particular, has no shortage of distributors of high quality ramen noodles. Before you click away in shock at my mention of ramen noodles, please know that I've gone through my fair share of ramen-consumption back in my poor bachelor/college days. And no matter how many innovative ways of preparing them, eventually it all caught up with me, and I too, was thoroughly and undoubtedly, sick of ramen. Enter high quality Asian ramens. Now, these are the only hope for such a played out dish. These "authentic" ramens, unlike our no-frill five-for-a-dollar-specials, are actually rich, hearty and satisfying. I took pics of some of my faves. Shin Ramen, pretty much number one in Korea, was my favorite, and it is also the spiciest. That is, until I found out about Teumsae Ramen, which is WAY spicier! Teumsae translates into English as "crack," and although highly addictive like crack-rock, I think it translates in the sense that it'll crack your senses. Another ramen that I've been enjoying lately is called Su-ta Ramen, which is delicious and it's hype is that it contains no MSG. Funny thing, b/c ironically, more and more foods are being marketed w/out MSG in Asia--the motherland of MSG--where as over here--where people have been bitchin' about Chinese Restaurant syndrome--chefs and restaurants are finally starting to acknowledge this so-called fifth flavor, 'umami'! (For a good look at MSG in the West, read this).

Su-ta Ramen & close-up.

Teumsae Ramen.

Chusok 2008 Pics (part 2)

2008-09-24T08:37:00.002-04:00

DJ (Jae-Hyun Park?) JHP from AM 1660 held the crowd as they waited impatiently in front of the main stage until the musicians performed.

A bit later he was singing a ppongjjak/trot song. The audience was pretty young, so I might have been one of the only ones enjoying it! After all, ppongjjak (aka trot or "teuroteu" 트롯트) is my favorite kind of Korean music.
Chusok 2008 part 1.

"JYP?? No, I'm JHP..."

Singing up a storm--some old ppongjjak/trot stuff.

Chusok 2008 Pics (part 1)

2008-09-23T07:42:00.011-04:00

These buses, picking up in Flushing, were taking people to Flushing Meadows Park for the 2008 Korean Thanksgiving Festival. I thought it would be faster than taking the train. Man, was I ever wrong. It took about 40 minutes for the first bus to come. There were so many people that it quickly filled up and took off. I wasn't about to wait another 40 mins, but then, right behind the first shiny blue bus, pulls up a shiny, white bus. Just my luck, the bus is filled to capacity by the time I get to the front of the line.

"Okay. I've waited this long and there will probably be another bus directly after this one," I think to myself. Another 30 minutes goes by and instead of heading for the almighty 7-train, I wait it out, as after all, once you've waited that long, you've crossed the point of no return. Finally, I make it onto a Flushing Meadows Park bound bus!

I finally made it to the park! There was already a sizable crowd. And on stage there was a sick Taekwondo demonstration.

Chusok 2008

2008-09-22T01:21:00.004-04:00

More pics to come!

Singas Pizza and Frozen Yogurt

2008-09-21T19:42:00.002-04:00

Yogurt. It's like bell bottoms. Or neon colored sneakers. It just keeps coming back into style every so often. And right now, it's really, really in style.

The latest brands of this new yogurt craze predominantly came over from Korea. Apparently, Red Mango was the O.G. and Pinkberry was the first to take it international when it opened up in Los Angeles. And now there's like fifty different branches all over the New York area. And on top of that there's about fifty different spin-offs (knock-offs?)...

Anyway, if you haven't tried the new wave frozen yogurt yet, it's probably for the best. Why? Because this stuff is highly addictive. Like nicotine? Well, maybe not, but at nearly $6.00 for a medium, it's not much cheaper than smoking. And let me tell you: I'm hooked to this buttery sweet, tart desert.

Most of these places only offer two flavors: vanilla and green tea. I've always stuck with vanilla because I was warned that the green tea flavor is too bitter (although, I am a fan of green tea ice-cream, so one of these days I'm sure I'll get around to giving it a shot).

Then it comes to the toppings. These are additional, of course. But my favorite topping is mochi, sometimes called "sweet rice cake." It's like chewy, marshmallowy goodness. Alternatively, you can choose from about ten different fruits and cereals. But give mochi a try.

Which one should you go to: Red Mango, Pink Berry or one of the many clones? I personally prefer Red Mango, although someone told me that all these joints order their materials from the same supplier. Despite this incidental knowledge, I still would argue Red Mango a bit softer in texture, where as Pinkberry seems too frozen (as well as a bit too tangy).

But I wanted to share a Flushing alternative. And although it might not be that much cheaper, they offer up more generous portions. I'm talking about Singas Famous Pizza, located near the Murray Hill LIRR station. Not only do they have tasty little pizzas, but they've jumped onto the yogurt bandwagon. And sure enough, you can't loose with their (comparatively) generous portions.

Singas Famous Pizza
149-01 41st Ave.
718-939-2110

Red Mango (Flushing)
136-53 Roosevelt Ave.
718-886-1914

Pinkberry (Flushing)
136-09 Roosevelt Ave.
718-886-6074

Korean Harvest Festival @ Flushing Meadows Park

2008-09-20T15:56:00.009-04:00

2008's Chusok, aka, Korean Harvest Festival, aka Korean Thanksgiving, taking place today and tomorrow in Flushing Meadows Corona Park is going to be big. Some estimate that as many as 30,000 people will show.
The food is going to be off the meter. This is a pic from 2007's festival (from over at Eating in Translation).

The official park website only reflects today's goings on, but according to John over at his About Queens blog, it's going on both today and tomorrow (09.20-21.08). Today's the rehearsal for the performers, while tomorrow's the real deal. Supposed to be some famous Korean performers. According to Last.fm, "Park Jin Young and the Wonder Girls are going to be the main highlights with appearances also by G-Soul, J Lim and Min." I'm not a huge fan of K-Pop (hope I don't offend anyone), but I have heard the Wonder Girls are getting big. There's a blog dediacted to them, here.

Woori Duri Let Down & "Chinese Restaurant"

2008-09-15T18:04:00.009-04:00

So the place formerly known as Jugaek, turns out to be just another expensive bunshik. In fact, it was so much so that I decided not to stay there. I'm talking about e.g. $7.99 for a bibimbap. Practically every item on the menu is at least a dollar or two more than it was when it was still Jugaek.

How could I stay when just up the road, there's a killer lunch deal: jajangmyeon (ie black noodles) for just $2.99 (from 11-3 pm)?! Shoot, I could get two bowls of jajangmyeon with enough for a coke on the side, for the price of one bibimbap at this new bunshik. And no need for me to remind you all about the current state of our economy--every bit of savings counts!

So indeed, I still have yet to try this new and pricey bunshik, but don't hold your breath on it . In the meantime, y'all should check out my decidedly favorite lunch spot: Golden Gate Chinese Restaurant 신금문도 (aka "Chinese Restaurant" according to the restaurant's outdoor signage)... located across the street from KFC on Northern Blvd, just after the tiny Gulf gas station. They also have $1.99 pints of beer. This is a Korean style Chinese restaurant (much like Mani 1, or Sam Won Gak--click here for a cool review w/ good pics over at The Girl Who Ate Everything).

No telling how long this special will last so hit it up!

Service=A
Atmosphere=B
Taste=B
Price=A++ (their lunch special might be the best deal in the five boroughs!!)

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152-12 Northern Blvd. Flushing, NY 11354
718-445-4170

Wine Tasting and Critiquing

2008-09-08T13:59:00.000-04:00

As an amateur food critic myself, I found this article about a complete non-connoisseur accidentally being caught up in a hard-core wine tasting event. Quite amusing, yet informative:

"More wine glasses were set out for a vertical tasting — comparing the same wine from different vintages. What was I doing on the trip? I hadn’t drunk wine for 10 years because it gave me migraines. And I learned, to my horror, that everyone else on the trip was a wine critic, wine writer, wine expert. I was up half the night, wondering if I should quietly leave or risk the humiliation of exposure."

-Judith Fein in The Simple Truth in Australian Wines; Spirituality & Health, July/Aug. 2008

Read the rest here.

Bhutanese Monks to Perfrom at Flushing Meadows

2008-09-07T19:17:00.003-04:00

In collaboration with the Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art and the Honolulu Academy of the Arts, thirteen monks from the monastery fortress of Trongsa in central Bhutan will perform the mesmeric ritual demon subjugation dances in public spaces in and around New York City. They'll be at Flushing Meadows Park Sunday, Sept 14, at 2 pm near the Unisphere. Definitely worth checking out. Click here to see the full schedule of places they'll be performing.

And there's an article in the Times about the monks in residence at the Rubin Mueseum:

"For the next four months the monks will live in Greenwich Village and spend their days at the Rubin, on West 17th Street in Chelsea. Twice daily they will perform puja rituals in the museum galleries to safeguard the spiritual well-being of the sacred artworks, which have traveled here for “The Dragon’s Gift: The Sacred Arts of Bhutan,” an exhibition that is to open on Sept. 19."

-James Gross, Prayers at an Exhibition, 09.05.08, NY Times.

Asian Bakeries Got the Goods!

2008-09-06T19:57:00.000-04:00

Ever since I sampled the light, fluffy breads and treats that I ate daily and fell in love with in Asan, South Korea, I've been a fan of Asian baked goods.

Fortunately for me, there's no shortage of suppliers of such goods in the Flushing, Queens area! After all, I just mentioned the article that was in the Times about Asian bakeries (although, it mostly focuses on Manhattan's Chinatown).

Anyway, here are a few shots I snapped at the Korean owned Canaan Bakery on Union St. at the corner of 41st Ave:

Good Patbingsus (shaved ice)...and only $5.50 (CHEAP!)

This was a blueberry pastry. Not bad but a bit pricey at $4.00.

This tasted like corn bread.

Mani 1...one more time

2008-09-05T19:35:00.006-04:00

I've already reviewed Mani 1, aka ChoiRyongMong 취령몽, but just ate there again recently, as it's so conveniently located near the 7 train. Took some pics.

Black Noodles (jajangmyeon) & banchon (side dishes):

General Tsao's Chicken:

Ju Gaek Restaurant Closes...?

2008-09-05T19:24:00.005-04:00

Well, it looks like the best bunshik in Flushing, Ju Gaek Restaurant 주객천하, has closed! I'm not sure, but there's a new sign and a new name, which almost certainly indicates new ownership. And Ju Gaek wasn't even around all that long! I wonder what happened...

Anyway, the new place is called 우리두리, which means "us two," though I haven't noticed any English signage yet, nor have I had the chance to sample the food. That's for next time...

My Flushing pt. 2

2008-08-31T14:31:00.011-04:00

Take a walk around my neighborhood: Flushing, NYC (pt. 2).

Main Street, downtown Flushing. This is center of the largest Chinese community in New York City, and the second largest in the United States (after San Francisco).^[*]

The old Caldor building on Roosevelt Avenue and Main Street. Apparently the chain of discount stores went bankrupt in the late '90s. Just a couple of years ago Wal-Mart was scoping out the place, but fortunately, eventually backed down.

This place on 39th, past the Flushing Mall, looks like a cool, little lounge. I've never been here , but I love the simplicity of the sign.

This guy is some of Flushing's wildlife.

Check out more of My Flushing (part 1) here.

Green Thai Curry @ Green Papaya in Flushing

2008-08-31T08:23:00.001-04:00

Green Papaya very well could be the only Thai restaurant in Flushing, at least in downtown Flushing. It's located amidst a massive quantity of restaurants on Prince St, between Canton Gourmet & another Vietnamese spot.

I believe Green Papaya is run by Sino-Malaysians, and as such, there are Malaysian dishes along with the Thai ones on the menu. Of the former, the shrimp fried rice in a pineapple is quite fantastic.

But I prefer the Thai curries, the spicier the better, and the spiciest is the green curry. I ordered the small, $6.00, and a side of brown rice $1.25. It was fantastic. I usually go with the chicken curry & rice combo, which is under $6.00, but it's yellow curry and just doesn't have the heat!

They also have the Thai beer, Singah, which I tried for the first time. And like the super friendly, and helpful waiter explained, it tastes remarkably similar to Tsing Tao (the other beer that I'm growing more and more found of as of late!).

Highly recommended in order to get your Thai fix!

Service: A+ (friendly, knowledgable waiter)
Decor: B- (small and a bit crowded)
Taste: A
Price: B+ ($6.00 - $15.00 / person)
Location: A+ (one block to the 7 train)

Here's a link to the Green Papaya website (note: menu is not complete).

Green Papaya Thai Cuisine
3804 Prince St
Flushing, NY 11354
(718) 353-1888

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Mom's Cooking at My Mom's Take-Out

2008-08-29T14:27:00.017-04:00

Running around w/out a lot of time on my hands, I opted to hit the Korean bunshik, My Mom's Take Out, located at 158 and Northern. Bunshik, if you'll recall (here) are simple, diner-like establishments, that serve the Korean staples (think dumplings, kimbap, bibimbap, kimchi stew, etc) quickly and cheaply. In other words, bunshik get the job done.

Unfortunately, bunshik in Flushing, and perhaps for that matter in the States, tend to be rather more expensive than their Korean counterparts. Not to mention, in Korea there's not tipping!

This quaint, little restaurant doesn't get as busy as some of other bunshik down on Union St, at least not at the times that I've been. Instead, we were the only people there. We ordered Spicy Pork Slice Over Rice, jaeyukdopbap aka jaeyukbokkum 제육덥밥, ($8.99) and Spicy Squid Over Rice, ojingodopbap aka ojingobokkum 오징어덮밥, ($8.99).

The squid dish seemed to be right on point. Spicy, rich, large portions and flavorful. The pork dish, however, which is probably my favorite dish to order at bunshik, wasn't quite up to par. The meat didn't seem as fresh I would have liked. And for those prices, and tip, I was a bit dissatisfied.

Like many bunshik, water, napkins, etc is self-serve.

Anyway, I would not recommend this place. Not because the food isn't that good, but becasue for the price you could do much better elsewhere.

Service: A- (b/c English might be somehwhat of an issue)
Food: C+
Price: D (more than what bunshik should cost)
Location: D (15 blocks from the 7 train; 10 minute bus ride)
Name of Restaurant: A+
Signage: A+ (I love this restaurants signage: the dukpoki character on the left and the kimbap on the right!)

Menu:

***
My Mom's Take-Out
718-762-7656
158-09 Northern Blvd.
Flushing, NY 11354

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Pho Hoang: Vietnamese Cuisine & BBQ on Kissena

2008-08-27T09:01:00.002-04:00

I veered from my usual Vietnamese favorite, Pho Bang, to eat at Pho Hoang, the other Vietnamese spot right next door (on Kissena Blvd across from the Flushing Library).

I never really liked Pho Hoang all that much, despite the cleaner and more spacious interior than Pho Bang. The food has always taken way too long and the wait-staff has always been curt and unfriendly. Additionally, I get the impression that Pho Hoang is Chinese-owned, where as I'm sure Pho Bang is authentically Vietnamese (just a hunch).

But, as I love to continuously update my knowledge of the surrounding environs, I said "what the hey," and gave it another shot. And this time, the waiter was way friendlier making all the difference in the world!

After looking at the menu for a while, since I hadn't been in probably a year, I finally ordered what I thought was my Vietnamese favorite: vermicelli noodles with greens, topped with your choice of meat (I don't know the Vietnamese name, but Vietnamese Cold Noodle Salad works).

But when the order arrived (albeit, after a good,long wait), I realized that I goofed. In this case, the goof turned out quite nice in the form of greens on one plate and marinated, barbecue pork on top of "rice stick," which was like thinner, stringier vermicelli noodles stuck together in sheets, on the other. Then there's a side of pickled radish. The greens are used to wrap up the barbecue/rice stick in, much like Korean BBQ (Samkyopsal or Kalbi). This dish is #163 on the menu, under the heading "Vietnamese Cuisine."

As an aside, I must confess that above all else, I love Vietnamese iced tea and coffee. Unfortunately, it seems like I'm always eating Vietnamese for dinner, and since I'm sensitive to caffeine, I try to avoid these treats that late in the day. Instead, I just enjoy the quintessential, complimentary pot of hot jasmine tea found in just about all Vietnamese places.

All in all, my dining experience at Pho Hoang left a far superior impression on me than that of times past. I'll try it again sooner than later.

Pho Hoang
41-01 Kissena Blvd
Flushing, NY 11355
(718) 762-6151

Price: $5-10 / person
Service: C+
Interior: B-
Food: B+
Recommended: Yes

*notice* Vietnamese dishes often make plenty of use of cilantro. If you don't like cilantro, make sure to let the watier know before hand, when placing your order. Otherwise, check out Pho 32 & Shabu, which I reviewed here, where they always put the cilantro on the side for you to use if you please.

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No More Happy Beef Noodle House: Canton Gourmet

2008-08-25T13:40:00.010-04:00

So, I'm back in Flushing after a long day of work and I'm starving. Doesn't seem like too difficult an issue to fix, especially in Flushing, right? Well, in spite of the incredible number of choices, the hunger is acting as an impediment to proper decision making, and sometimes having so many choices just doesn't help!

Suddenly, I remember--the map! I whip out the printable map (from the Times article that I keep insisting you check out).

With the decision made, I quickly head over to the Flushing Mall to hit up the Kim Chi dumplings and possibly some Sweet Shaved Ice (patbingsu 팥빙수) for dessert. Alas, Flushing Mall's food court (there's actually two, but the one with the goods), is already closed (this is early, like 8-ish -- 9 pm tops). I knew they closed early, but this is kinda frustrating considering my level of hungryness.

Okay. Not to worry. Another glimpse at the map leads me to nearby Nan Shian Dumpling House at 38-12 Prince St. The thing is, I'd already been here and eaten the dilectable soup dumplings before. And I remembered the trade off for such goodness: long, long waits in this packed out establishment. I check to see. 25 minutes. Why should this hunger wait, especially when the map indicates another great place right next door at 38-10 Prince. So, onwards I move, only to great surprise: Happy Beef Noodle House, the very same one reviewed and mapped in the Times less than a month ago, is closed. And not just closed, but it appears it was burned down! Wow. Jealous neighbors, or what? I manage to make out, with my horrendous Chinese writing abilities, that they should be reopening in November.

I snapped this pic later (Nan Shian Dumpling House on the left, Beef Noodle darkened in the middle, and Canton Gourmet on right):

So, I do what anyone in my shoes would, I try the next restaurant down, which happens to be Canton Gourmet... after all, there are so many on Prince St (like seven right next to each other).

Finally sit down in a clean, snazzy atmosphere to squid fried noodles and sweet pepper veal. The veal is the dish that I like, although it is a bit too sweet. The fried noodles should be avoided. All this with a Tsing Tao beer, which is quite good.

So, my belly is full and I still have plenty of exploring to do...

Canton Gourmet
38-08 Prince St.
Price: $10-15/person
Taste: B
Atmosphere: A

Times' Food Trail through Flushing

2008-08-24T13:20:00.006-04:00

Unless you've been living under a rock all this time, you've undoubtedly read, or at least heard about the NY Times' article, Finding Beijing in Flushing, which I mentioned here.
The article offers up reviews of some tasty Flushing restaurants and even a sweet little interactive map:

Anyway, I've really been digging it, b/c despite my explorations into the plethora of various Chinese restaurants in downtown Flushing, I haven't really penetrated it as deeply as I'd like to.

So again I encourage you to take this map (printable pdf) and get out and explore more of Flushing!

Avoid Beyond Juice

2008-08-22T16:04:00.001-04:00

This juice spot is located in the Bay Terrace shopping center. I ordered the Yogurt Delight and had them replace the bananas with strawberries. The worker who took my order didn't mention that there was still an additional choice of a fruit and it wasn't until they already started making it that I noticed it on the menu. When I asked about it the lady acted as if I'd picked strawberries, and when I pressed, they simply said they added extra strawberries.

The product, despite it's miraculous health claims, had a nasty chemical taste to it. And it wasn't just a bad aftertaste. It was just plain disgusting. What a waste of $5 some bucks! Avoid at all costs.

Price: D
Service: D
Taste: F

My Flushing

2008-08-20T07:26:00.005-04:00

Take a walk around my neighborhood: Flushing, New York.

Looking west on 39th Ave. towards Shea Stadium.

Heavenward from the LIRR, Main St. Flushing stop. (BTW, City Ticket, available only on the weekends, is a LIRR ticket that lets you go anywhere in the city for just $3.25, not bad!)

Yippie for Yipin

2008-08-19T17:33:00.004-04:00

Flushing's Chinese community is expanding in all directions including into the Korean area, which in turn spreads ever Eastward toward Long Island. And so, Yipin, a new Chinese restaurant, is the first Chinese owned business that I've seen on Union St. (at least in the area near Roosevelt). It was reviewed in the awesome NY Times article that I talked about here. I've finally gotten around to trying it. Twice.
However, it wasn't the Sesame Seed Noodles that I was a huge fan of. It was the dumplings and buns! Truly awesome. And the prices are the best I've seen. Only a dollar-twenty-five a pop for the buns. Buns like that cost at least $1.75-3.00 at other places and they're never as delicious. The buns here are filled with various goodies (e.g. string beans and pork, noodles and pork) . A dozen delicious steamed dumplings (handmade?) cost a measly $4.50.
I think if I were accustomed to it, I probably would have liked the Sesame Seed Noodle dish. The noodles had great texture, but the seasoning was just a bit too unfamiliar for my palate. Perhaps if I try it a bit more.

Price: A+
Location: A+ (right next to the 7)
Service: B- (only b/c at times there's very little English depending on staff)
Taste: Spectacular

Yipin
Located at 40-04 Union St. (corner of Roosevelt Ave.)

pocha pocha

2008-08-13T23:49:00.003-04:00

Pocha Pocha is one of Flushing's cooler "pojang macha" style bars. Pojang macha are everywhere in Korea and are basic establishments where you go to meet your friends, nibble on some anju (alcohol friendly side-dishes), and get your drink on. Soju is the weapon of choice in these drinking holes. Pocha Pocha is particularly cool b/c it's like a beer-garden of sorts: there's a sweet outdoor area in the back of the establishment where you can enjoy late summer evenings.

If you miss that, Pocha Pocha becomes just another soju bar. It's the only place I'm aware of in Flushing where you can hangout outside and get your drink on.

As far as soju is concerned, they have just about all of them (Korean brands). Chamisul is the most popular in Korea, but since recent legislation was passed, all forms of soju must be under 20%. This applies to all brands, except those of course from say, North Korea, and at Pocha Pocha, you can find soju as strong as 25%! Ask for Pyongyang Soju (it's not on the menu so you have to ask), but beware of the hangover!

Soju: 'bout $8.99/bottle
Service: A+
13812 Northern Blvd

Flushing, NY, 11354

Delectable Treats: Asian Bakeries

2008-08-09T11:23:00.007-04:00

In Seoul, a friend once shared with me that the West was beginning to take notice of Asian treats and pastries, as they are innovative, light, pleasing to the eye, and of course, tasty. This week, the Village Voice has a cool article on the sweet topic of little Asian bakeries and in particular, those of Chinatown.

Not surprisingly, many of the Chinatown bakeries mentioned, and others very similar to them, have branches in Flushing. Getting excited? You should be. There is a perhaps surprisingly high concentration of bakeries in Flushing and there is so much exploring to be done, it's not even funny.

The Korean-owned Paris Baguette just opened up in the Southeast corner of Queens Crossing Mall and happens to be the first one in NYC. This is the premier chain of bakeries in South Korea. It should cause a ripple in the Korea style bakeries here, as Koryodang, the main chain around Flushing, has to face new competition. Not to mention, the Bakery De Paris (or as Koreans call it, De Paris), which opened up not too long ago either.

Finding Beijing in Flushing

2008-08-05T23:06:00.001-04:00

"Everything tastes different in Flushing, Queens, the best neighborhood in New York for tasting the true and dazzling flavors of China. The dumplings are juicier here, the noodles springier..." -Julia Moskin, "Let the Meals Begin: Finding Beijing in Flushing." (07.30.08)

With the Beijing Olympics only days away (08/08/08 at 8:08 pm), the NY Times ran this excellent article on the extremely rich and diverse Chinese food scene here in Flushing .

I particularly love the interactive (2nd image down the page). It show's you a picture of dishes from specific restaurants as you mouse over different places on the map. There's even an audio pronunciation guide and when you click on a eatery you get even more photos. It's the perfect tool for food lovers in their exploration through the oftentimes intimidating labyrinth of Chinese restaurants here.

The printable version of the interactive map is quite nice because, in addition to the neighborhood map, it puts all the restaurants and their info, along with corresponding pictures of dishes, on one handydandy little sheet that you can carry around with you. The pictures are crucial when you need to convey what scrumptious little concoction you'd like but quite possibly would otherwise be hindered by linguistic barriers.

There's also some interesting stuff in the comments following the article. A few people point out that the sweet beans over shaved ice isn't Chinese. I don't know, but I've enjoyed it on many an occasion in the Philippines (called "halo halo") and in Korea (where it's called "bat bin su"), with slight differences between the two. One commenter mentions a commuter van from Chinatown to Flushing... I didn't even realize there were vans connecting the two spots. So the next day, I went and checked it out for myself. Sure enough, for $2.50, a speedy 25 seater shuttled me and 24 other commuters from Division St. to right in front of the Flushing Library in approximately 30 minutes.

The article comes right on the heels of another Times article about Flushing; this one about the incredible diversity of places of worship in the Flushing area. Some of these houses of worship are truly incredible. Another interesting article about Flushing's incredible religious diversity can be found here.

Jajangmyeon Mania at Mani 1 Chinese Restuarant

2008-08-02T19:49:00.003-04:00

Mani 1, or ChoiRyongMong as it's written in Korean (취령몽), is a relatively new Korean style Chinese restaurant located where Mesa Sur, one of the only South American eateries within walking distance to downtown Flushing folded after only three or four months in business. Unlike it's predecessor, Mani 1 seems like it will do just fine, catering to the neighborhood.

Much how Chinese food in America has been adapted to meet local, American taste buds, so too has Chinese food in Korea been creatively altered to the Korean pallet. Probably the prime example being the scrumptious "noodles in black sauce" dish, jajangmyeon (짜장면), which can be found right here at Mani 1 (lunch $4.99/regular $5.99; item #56 on the menu).

Mani 1 has a pretty solid jajangmyeon. It isn't quite the best dish on the menu here but it's not a bad place to start.

The other two quintessential dishes that you'll find at just about any "Chinese-style" restaurant in Seoul (or more importantly, Flushing) are jampong (짬뽕, $5.99/$6.99; #59) and tangsuyuk (탕수육, $5.99/$12.99; #31). The first one, jampong, is a seriously spicy bowl full of thick noodles, chives, and all kinds of seafood, like shrimp, squid, clams, and octopus, in a peppery red soup. But the real winner at Mani 1 is the tangsuyuk, ( like sweet and sour pork). But it's only truly great when you order their spicy version, meun tangsuyuk, (only, of course, if you like your spicy spicy!). It's not in the menu, but there's a picture of it on the wall in the restaurant. It's one the spicest dishes around. Avoid the naengmyeon here. Despite being advertised in Korean and Chinese under the restaurant's main sign, it's really a disappointment. For where to go for good naengmyun read this.

Sure there's better jajangmyeon in Flushing, but Mani 1's spicy tangsuyuk makes for some of the best tangsuyuk around. Go with friends and mix and match: a dish of jajangmyeon, a spicy tangsuyuk, and a bowl of jampong, so you can share and get a satisfying taste of all three (the tangsuyuk serving is too big for one person).

Give Mani 1 a shot if your a newbie to the genre of Korean style Chinese food.
40-26 Union Street at the intersection of 41st Avenue (1.5 blocks to the 7 train Main St. stop).

Service: A
Price: B
Dilectability: B+

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Spa Castle Offers Good Eatin'

2008-07-15T16:32:00.016-04:00

Spa Castle, formerly known as In Spa World, is a four-story water park-like bathhouse, full of hot tubs, saunas, roof-top swimming pools, and fantastic places to eat with great views of the Whitestone Bridge and the Long Island Sound. Located at 1111 131st St. in College Point (just North of Flushing), there's a descriptive NY Times article that does a pretty good job of reviewing the Spa Castle, but unfortunately it neglects the cuisine. Other than the deli-like food on the 2nd floor, and the small vendor-like food on the 3rd there're actually some pretty decent meals to be had on the 4th floor. When I was there last, the prices had gone up about $2 per dish, but it's still not bad for the quality (and quantity), considering you're already inside and at their mercy.

Probably the best deal on the menu is #11--the name of which is a bit tricky, so just stick with the number. At $15, it comes with marinated pork, barley (an old, traditional alternative to rice), leaves of romaine and seasame, a hefty bowl of Korean-style miso soup (taeng-jang-chigae), and about four banchun (side-dishes), of which kim chi is one. This meal is big enough that it could even be shared if one isn't terribly hungry.

Spa Castle makes for an ideal, albeit a bit pricey, alternative to the beach on overcast summer days. And it's open during the winter, too!

How to get there:
The best way to get to Spa Castle is to take the 7 train to the last stop (Flushing, of course), and then walk to the municipal parkinglot on the corner of Union and 39th Ave. There, you can catch the Spa Castle shuttle that picks up approximately every thirty minutes (and the best part is it's free!). The clearly marked blue van picks people up at the South East corner of the parking lot.

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Here is the official Spa Castle website.

Pho 32 - Vietnamese and Shabu Shabu: Korean Style

2008-07-14T01:01:00.010-04:00

This Korean owned restaurant serves mostly Vietnamese food, but they also serve shabu shabu. There's at least three branches that I know of, one in Manhattan (32nd & 5th), one in Bayside, Queens, and of course, the one that I frequent in Flushing (Roosevelt 'tween Main & Union). Although prices have risen here recently--where hasn't it for that matter-- it's still a pretty good place to get a bite. That staff is fast and polite, and the manager is very kind. There is one, possibly two, really great things about Pho 32. The first one is that they're open 24/7; where else can you grab a piping hot bowl of pho at 2 in the a.m.? The second thing that sets Pho 32 apart from the rest, is that the cilantro is placed on the side, so if you're not big on cilantro you don't have to eat it. This last point can be a good one to know if you're planning on introducing friends to Vietnamese but you already know that cilatntro would be the deal breaker. Cilantro is just one of those things: either you love it or you hate it. Praise the Lord I'm of the former. Cilantro isn't big in Korea, so thus, it could be said that Pho 32 is Vietnamese with a slight Korean twist. But all in all, if you don't mind cilantro and it's not deep into the wee hours, you'd probably be better off elsewhere, as Pho 32's prices are a bit higher and broths a bit less on point than your average Vietnamese restaurant. View Larger Map Manhattan: 2 W 32nd St
Flushing: 136-71 Roosevelt Ave Bayside: 4534 Bell Boulevard

Not My Chicken

2008-07-09T21:33:00.011-04:00

The first restaurant on the list that I will review is Oh My Chicken, located at the S.W. corner of Union and Roosevelt. This Korean-style chicken restaurant is relatively new, only about two months old. Formerly, it was one of only two pizzerias on Roosevelt Ave. between Main and Union streets. One day, I noticed that the pizzeria was closed with a sign on the front citing health code violations. Before too long, however, the old, run-down store front was renovated into a very snazzy-looking establishment.

My anticipation grew as the place began to take shape and I could hardly wait when they revealed their sign. Finally! A Korean-style fried chicken spot in downtown Flushing. How fantastic, I thought. Maybe it's not a Kyochon or a Bon Chon, but hey, it's still Korean fried chicken. For those of you who've been living under a rock for the last year and change, there is already plenty of stuff written about Korean style fried chicken to catch you up to speed (e.g. this NY Times article). But basically, it's just a scrumb-did-li-umptious-ly prepared batch of chicken served up best with cold beer and good company.

Being a huge fan of this increasingly popular dish, you can imagine my excitement. Finally, the Oh My Chicken opened and I made my way in. My first impression was good with its jazzed up, orange decor. It wasn't busy at all, just one other table of people. But my initial excitement began to fade, little by little, until the place finally had three strikes against it. The first strike, one that I definitely could let slide, was that there was a small water leak from the ceiling dripping next to us. The waiter quickly moved us to another table when we pointed it out, but this possibly lead to strike two: he completely messed up on our order. Instead of draft beer, he brought bottled. Instead of the medium dish of spicy, he brought a small batch of sweet bbq, (and the table across from us seemed to have wound up with our dish). When we pointed out the error, the waiter walked off without letting us know what he intended to do about it. After flagging down a different waiter, we were told they would bring out the correct dish. By this time we're already losing patience. The third and final strike came when the correct dish was finally brought out and it was just barely room temperature! That was enough. We got up and left without paying. Absolutely unacceptable! It's just such a shame, because I really was looking forward to there being a K-style chicken restaurant in that part of Flushing.

Unless this restaurant comes under new management, I predict it won't make it very long. AVOID AT ALL COSTS.

Flushing: 136-88 Roosevelt Ave.

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never a shortage of restaurants to review in Flushing

2008-07-09T00:04:00.004-04:00

I intend to post reviews of the following in the not so distant future:

Pocha Pocha
Kum Gang San
Ho Pocha
Bud Na Mu
Noodle House: Udon & Curry (on the corner of Union and Northern)
Pho 32
Oh My Chicken

Feel free to add restaurants you'd like to see reviewed to the comments box.

San Soo Kap San (산수갑산 )

2008-07-03T16:48:00.013-04:00

This truly is one of the greatest Korean restaurants outside of Korea. Before yesterday evening, it had been quite a while, but once again, as always, I was extremely satisfied with the high quality food and service. Whatever you order here, you can be sure that it is of the highest quality. It's 24 hours and my favorite part about it is the banchun (반천), or side-dishes, that compliment each and every meal (at no extra cost).

Banchun are probably one of the cooler features that sets Korean culinary fair apart from other Asian cuisine. Some form of banchun is included with virtually all Korean dishes, regardless of the retaurant, but Sam Soo Gap San has one of the biggest, best and most delicious spreads. The banchun at San Soo Gap San could easily stand on their own as a meal, but they're just the sides that have to make way for the main dish.

As far as I know, there are two branches of this famed Korean restaurant, possibly even three: one on Union St and 39th Ave. in Flushing and one further out towards Bayside on Northern Blvd. (there might be one in Midtown but I'm not sure about that). I prefer the one on Union.
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Here's the menu posted at New York Magazine.
Good food, a little pricey, but a bit more affordable than the reknowned Kum Gang San.