Notes on Food

Few things are lovelier and richer than a pork belly bun from Momofuku. I don’t care if they’ve been hyped to death, they’re still a well-executed morsel of fat and savoriness and that’s what Laura and I wanted last night. I could probably just have two orders of these and go home a ridiculously happy person.

Pork belly buns

We also love the spicy pork sausage and fried rice cake dish, with lots of sliced and stir-fried chinese broccoli. Spicy, chewy, meaty, and crunchy, the dish has so many different textures and tastes that a couple bites will satisfy. I especially love the little hit of Sichuan peppercorn.

Spicy pork sausage and crispy rice cakes

This time, we also tried a new dish of poached chicken, sticky rice, maitake mushrooms, and spring onion. It was a richer version of my mother’s chicken noodle soup, with a very milky and flavorful broth and sweet, almost creamy rice enveloping a tender piece of chicken. Comforting, but not too heavy either.

Poached chicken

Even though it was a bit rainy, we spent the rest of the evening oohing and aahing at the beautiful windows at Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Tiffany, and the weather actually worked in our favor since there were less people congesting the sidewalks. Our family used to visit the window displays every year, but for whatever reason, stopped the tradition in recent years, and it felt great to spend time in the city with my sister again before the holidays.

Gowns galore

Golden birdcages

Aquatic fantasy

Black and white luxury

Polar party

A tiny pop-up book style window

Gorgeous ring display at Tiffany

Dress courtesy of Olivier Theyskens

Quans #1 and #3 at Rockefeller

Momofuku Ssam Bar
207 2nd Avenue
New York, NY 10003
http://www.momofuku.com/restaurants/ssam-bar/