More CNN Dumplings: Teochew Fish Dumplings and Tangyuan Dessert Dumplings from Queens
This past weekend, Elena and I went to NYC. Each time we go, we have a few new things to try and this time we went to Queens-specifically Flushing- to find two types of dumpling on CNN’s List of 30 dumplings from around the world to try (Around the world in 30 Dumplings) . #30 on the list is Teochew fish dumplings and a place in Queens is known for those. We arrived in Queens and went to the basement of the New World Mall which ended up being a hybrid of a Singaporean Hawker Center and an American Food Court. The Fish Dumpling store is in the far left corner and we had to walk past a number of REALLY amazing looking stalls to get to our target.
Obviously, with a name like Fish Dumplings they are stuffed with fish but the dumpling is known because fish is ground up (not the skin, the actual fish) and added to the dough so that the dumpling skin has fish in it as well. From a taste perspective, this really doesn’t alter the taste as they are stuffed with a mixture of fish anyway. From a texture perspective, it makes a difference as the addition
of the fish requires the dumpling skin to be thicker and it isn’t cooked to the same degree of “doneness” that another dumpling would so the skin is a bit tougher and almost seems SLIGHTLY under cooked. The end result, as CNN is correct in saying, is a dumpling that is not like other steamed dumplings. Elena and I agreed we both liked them. Absolutely not enough to make a trip to Queens just for the dumplings but certainly if we were in Queens for any other reason, we would have them. Better yet, if we find our self in Teochew, China, we would find a spot and eat them.
We also went in search for #15 on CNN’s list called Tangyuan which are a Chinese dessert. These little sticky rice balls are served for Chinese New Year which we just missed, but can be served other times as well. They are served stuffed or can be served in a soup-in this case we found them in a soup of black sesame paste. No larger than a dime, the rice balls are easy to eat and the dessert was sweet and really delicious. CNN says that in Hong Kong they are served over ice cream. Not sure about that combo but in the sesame soup they were good.
