umamimart

I’m really not known for having a sweet tooth (give me french fries over a cookie anytime), but you wouldn’t know that by my recent purchases lately (or past posts on the Treats Truck and Wafles and Dinges!). You know how they say you shouldn’t go grocery shopping when you’re hungry? Well, I did just that, and this is what I came away with from Katagiri.

A cute little pumpkin – haven’t eaten it yet, but guessing it is some sort of “manju” (Japanese dessert with sweet beans inside):

Also got this – a little mochi (sweet rice cake filled with sweet beans):

This one totally reminds me of my many trips to Little Tokyo in LA with my grandmother when I was kid. You could watch them make these from the storefront window and they would serve them right off the stove. It’s called dorayaki – basically two little pancakes with the sweet bean inside. Still brings back good memories when I bite into one.

Then I was in Chinatown and came across Mei Li Wah Bakery- I couldn’t pass up getting a coconut bun:

While in Flushing a few weekends ago for our Umamiventure, I purchased a sesame ball at the dumpling stop. (Sorry guys, I didn’t share this with anyone, stashed it in my purse for dessert on my way home!). I love ending with something sweet after a Chinese foodfest like the one we had or after a dimsum meal too.

For those of you who know me, you’re probably thinking I’m turning really Japanese/Asian on them. But don’t you worry, just yesterday, my co-worker Chris brought back a wonderful surprise from the new Magnolia Bakery on 49th and 6th- FOUR blocks away from our office… how dangerous is that?

Look at the cute packaging:

We called a meeting at 5pm yesterday to devour these- moist, red velvet cupcakes with sweet cream cheese frosting. DELICIOUS!

Katagiri
224 E. 59th Street
NYC

Mei Li Wah
64 Bayard Street
NYC

Sesame Balls
Somewhere in Flushing
(near a Starbucks)
Queens, NY

Magnolia Bakery
1240 Avenue of the Americas
NYC