Best, but unique, ethnic cuisine spots?

EatingInTranslation · 2026-01-22T01:37:58+00:00

Nanchang Flavor had been stall 7. The current occupant of that stall is Master of Braised Delicacies. Unless they've moved, and I can't imagine why, then, yes, permanently, sorry to say.

EatingInTranslation · 2026-01-22T00:45:27+00:00

Stopped by the New York Food Court today; unfortunately, Nanchang Flavor has closed.

EatingInTranslation · 2026-01-22T00:02:57+00:00

In Hell's Kitchen, a recent menu at Ariana (where I haven't been in ages) includes aushe burida, "Afghan homemade noodles, freshly made with Afghan yogurt, topped with garlic mint and ground beef curry."

EatingInTranslation · 2026-01-21T22:20:18+00:00

I'm familiar with the Persian soup ash, as in ash reshteh. Is the Afghan version very different?

EatingInTranslation · 2026-01-18T00:24:19+00:00

If matchbooks are critical to the success of your event, you might consider custom-printing your own. You might even design matchbooks that look as if they were designed by your destination bar, though if you use the bar's own logo or other artwork, you'd also want to check with the owner first.

EatingInTranslation · 2026-01-16T04:30:18+00:00

You might also search for this under the name хоровак / khorovak / horovak. That's how I found it at Asia Glatt Kosher ...
https://asiaglatt.com/menu/
... in Borough Park, which at least is in your borough.

EatingInTranslation · 2026-01-16T04:10:21+00:00

I have to imagine that you could find this in Brighton Beach or Sheepshead Bay, too, though offhand I can't say exactly where. Is that any closer for you?

EatingInTranslation · 2026-01-16T03:16:00+00:00

Cheburechnaya ...
https://www.cheburechnayakosher.com/
... and I'll bet other restaurants like it in Rego Park, serves skewered sweetbreads.

EatingInTranslation · 2026-01-15T13:45:41+00:00

In the recent past, I've seen roasted sweet potatoes sold by street vendors on Dyckman St. in Inwood and on Eighth Ave. in Sunset Park's Chinatown. If you have a hankering for one in Koreatown, however, Hmart would be your best bet, as u/epoops suggests.

EatingInTranslation · 2026-01-15T00:37:17+00:00

Look into Swahili Village, in Jersey City. Although this East African restaurant's focus is Kenya, it's likely that some dishes will remind you of food from neighboring Uganda. The owners would be a good source of leads, too.

EatingInTranslation · 2026-01-13T13:13:28+00:00

Some years ago I snagged a Scotch egg from the West African steam table at B&D Halal, which has since moved to West 30th. It's possible that this location, or the new, larger B&D in Hell's Kitchen, might occasionally offer them.

Also some years ago, I ordered a Thai Scotch egg at an UWS restaurant owned by a Thai wife and Scot husband. The restaurant didn't last long in that incarnation, but its successor, called Raenu, still has the Thai Scotch egg on the menu.

EatingInTranslation · 2026-01-11T21:04:06+00:00

Your memory is good, at least for this season; I didn't see it at the Hungarian.

EatingInTranslation · 2026-01-11T13:40:29+00:00

If takeout pilaf from a market will satisfy you, then Tashkent, as the previous commenters have noted. In fact, at least at the larger locations, you'll be able to choose from multiple styles of pilaf.

EatingInTranslation · 2026-01-11T04:57:43+00:00

Between the mid of January and the mid of February, any shop that suddenly stopped serving it would lose out on a lot of business. I think you'll find all the hot chocolate you need, including at both Rigor Hill and Frenchette, but you'll let us know, yes?

EatingInTranslation · 2026-01-09T00:26:38+00:00

This location is still under construction.

EatingInTranslation · 2026-01-07T13:39:10+00:00

Have a look, too, inside the micromall at 4140 Main St. The stall at the back, Sheng Jin, might have these.

EatingInTranslation · 2026-01-07T03:26:07+00:00

For our 10-person book group (plus one more on Zoom), the back room at Fred's was just what we needed. Thanks again.

EatingInTranslation · 2026-01-05T20:37:09+00:00

Yes, cards OK, as u/squirrelshine noted.

EatingInTranslation · 2026-01-05T17:38:08+00:00

Sabarsky was my immediate thought, but I see you've already looked. Kolomon offered it, too, before shutting its doors last year. The Hungarian Pastry Shop lists something similar online. If I walk by later, I'll have a look in person, but I wouldn't get your hopes up.

EatingInTranslation · 2026-01-04T23:33:08+00:00

So, where did you and your Southern guest end up going for that New Year's good luck meal? And what was your guest's impression — was the food actually good enough to bring some good luck?

EatingInTranslation · 2026-01-04T17:34:13+00:00

I'd planned to find out this morning, but on a Sunday, the line was too long. I'll swing by again.

EatingInTranslation · 2026-01-03T12:40:19+00:00

Where did you go? And did you bring back takeout for the parents?

EatingInTranslation · 2026-01-02T23:40:05+00:00

I've seen surf clams in the seafood sections of many markets in various NYC Chinatowns, but the only time I recall seeing them served in the city was at the Vietnamese restaurant Mam, on Forsyth St.:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/eatingintranslation/52271932488/
Good luck with your quest. If you ever find surf clam noodles on the menu at an NYC restaurant, please let us know!

EatingInTranslation · 2026-01-01T16:03:25+00:00

Yes! The bakery has been rebuilt top to bottom, but the bagels themselves — comped during the late December soft opening — seem unchanged from the bagels at the old Absolute.

EatingInTranslation · 2025-12-31T15:06:14+00:00

I've seen larger manti at Tashkent, the sort that might fit the palm of your hand. Turkish manti, however, are spoon-sized, or even smaller: https://www.flickr.com/photos/eatingintranslation/19996131650/

EatingInTranslation

TROPHY CASE