Fun Fearless Foodie

News flash: I’ve been taking a Food Blogging class at The French Culinary Institute over the last few weeks as a way to expand my blogging knowledge and hopefully help me find some more direction and motivation to make the most of Fun Fearless Foodie. Our instructor, Steven Shaw, was kind enough to lead us on a class field trip to Flushing, Queens this past Sunday to explore the sights and tastes of Chinatown. This adventure has been high on my list of things to do so I jumped at the opportunity.

I hopped on the number seven train and rode it all the way to the end, departing at Flushing-Main Street. However, if I didn’t know any better I would have thought I rode it all the way to China! From the moment I walked up the steps onto the street I knew I wasn’t in Manhattan anymore. Not only did my 5’11″ frame stand out amongst the crowd, but the busy sidewalks and colorful (and busy) street signage resembled everything I’ve see of cities in China. Oh yes, and nothing was written in English.

Steven organized a tasty tour of some of Flushing’s must-try food destinations, starting with a small walk-up dumpling shop called Zhu Ji Guo Tie. After sampling pork dumplings and buns, scallion pancakes, and a Chinese-style empanada stuffed with mustard-greens, we were off to a street cart that specializes in spiced meat skewers from the Xinjiang region, which had a surprisingly Latin and/or Middle Eastern flare. I’m a little afraid of “street-meat” (thanks to FCI ServeSafe education) but I nibbled on some chicken and lamb for good measure.

We toured up and down Main Street, stopping in a popular local market that had a very interesting seafood department. Chinese specialities like geoduck, crab, and cuttlefish were overflowing in bins and live carp and cod fish swam anxiously underneath the fresh fish display. The most surprising discovery for me was to see live eels squirming alongside a case of live frogs. I respect the food traditions of any culture, but seeing these creatures slipping and sliding was a little unsettling.

As we headed off the beaten path towards the Flushing Mall we stopped into Fu Run Restaurant, one of the latest additions to the local dining scene. Steven was adamant that we sample their Muslim lamb dish and we were all thankful for the diversion. This dish had to be the most surprising thing I tasted all day. The fall-off-the-bone meat was crusted with a thick layer of cumin seeds and spices and had the most incredible flavor. The Middle Eastern influence was again unexpected and has me hungry to get back to this restaurant to experience the rest of the menu.

Last but not least, we made it to The Flushing Mall. After passing colorful bridal boutiques and eerily vacant storefronts we made it downstairs to the food court for our final feast. The accommodations are nothing to write home about, but the assortment of hand-pulled and shaved noodles, along with dumplings, salt and pepper chicken, and shaved ice were superb. The cheap prices made it even better.

As we rested our tired feet and dug into our meal we had the opportunity to reflect on our adventure. We all agreed that the biggest surprise of the trip was the stark cultural contrast with life at the other end of the seven train. The food, while not life-changing, was tasty and interesting and highlighted how a culture strives to preserve a taste of home in their new land. The journey was a highlight in my New York experience and I look forward to heading back soon for more adventures. Who knows, maybe I’ll even get the courage to try frog’s legs!

To view more photos from my journey to Flushing’s Chinatown, check out my Flickr album here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/funfearlessfoodie/sets/72157627637484419/