You all should be very familiar with this photo: it is yet one more photo of David Wright’s first at-bat of a game I attended in early August. Though posting about Citi Field has become less and less frequent, I’ve continued to go to games and either eaten something I’ve posted about ad nauseum already (Mama’s hero, Box Frites…)… or this.
I decided on a whim that Beer Boor and I should meet in Flushing before the game and pick up White Bear – dumplings, of course, and try their dan dan noodles, which I’ve been curious about for a while. So we did just that. The above dumplings, I’ve posted about in the past: 12 for $4.50 and I challenge you to find any more delicious Sichuan dumplings in chili oil topped with pickled mustard greens anywhere in NYC. If you find such a place, tell me, because I can’t imagine anything better than these perfect little nuggets: the skin so soft, yielding to a perfect porky bite of wonder, and the slight kick of chili oil, the pickled crunchiness of the mustard greens… just amazing, delicious, and awesome. My favorite dumplings, really… yep.
As for the dan dan noodles, this box filled to the brim with noodles, cucumbers, some bean sprouts, and chili spiced pork bits, cost us only $4.25. How great is that?
After I tried to toss it all together as evenly as possible… this was the result. I really enjoyed this, slightly spicy, with the cucumber slices there to cool my mouth if needed (only minorly), the noodles very springy. I would definitely order this again – it might even become my favorite dan dan noodles (note: I’ve had dan dan at maybe 3 or 4 places in my life, so I am no expert at all… yet… though I can’t always eat it because if it’s super spicy, I have to stop eating).
See the little chiles ground up? So good. Actually, I went back two days later when I went to another game, with TC this time, and and we repeated the same meal. The noodles weren’t quite as good as the first time I went, but still very good.
Just so you know, it totally works to go in and ask “dan dan mian?” and look really confused, because the guy will totally take pity on you and tell you what number it is. It’s #12 and the dumplings (which are wontons, according to their menu) are #6. I definitely order by number (and one time, I tried to guess, and ordered, and the guy was like, no, you want #6, and I said, yes, please) – they speak Mandarin there, and mine is horrible. They’re really nice though, but I think they might recognize me because I go there fairly frequently and bring lots of people there.
And that second game? We totally won. August 9, 2011. Yes, I know, we’re not in playoff contention, but… I love my Mets!
I love White Bear, and I love even more that from the Flushing Main Street 7 train station, it’s on the way to my stadium – I can always stop in, grab something and bring it into the stadium to eat. And because I’m all about saving money, when you get to the stadium, just go to one of the Budweiser Designated Driver booths, sign up to be a designated driver, and get a coupon for a free small soda! It’s totally big enough to quench your thirst while you’re there. (I didn’t say this: if you really want to drink afterwards, just take the wristband off.)
Yvo says: If you weren’t reading: love White Bear. Fantastic Sichuan dumplings in chili oil; great dan dan mian. Go now.
highly recommended
Kathy says
Totally agree about those dumplings!! Haven’t tried the dan dan mein but will be sure to next time, looks so good.
I’ve gone to Flushing for *only* White Bear on more than one occasion…and might have to again after seeing this post!! 🙂
BeerBoor says
I think, given the number of times I’ve indulged in White Bear with you, that I might be able to find the place alone now. And that’s saying something. Plus, the place is worth it, period. So excellent.
T.C. says
White Bear offers an incredible deal with their delicious dumplings/wontons in chili oil. No mando in my vocabulary either but they understand what you really want – their #6!!
Heeding the words of Yvo that the noodles were not very spicy so I recommended the dan dan noodles to an adventurous couple dining in looking for a noodle dish as I waited for my take-out order. I thought the noodles were alright and not as springy but would eat on the side with their dumplings as the main course. 😛
Hungry says
I’m glad you wrote about the dan dan noodles. People only talk about the dumplings. Sounds like a great meal to me. And cheap!
Darren says
How have I not been to white bear?
Feisty Foodie says
Because you’re a silly, silly boy? Get your butt over there post-haste!
Darren says
But it’s so far to go for szechuan dumplings. Maybe if I can combine the trip with something else [other than my baseline LIRR station steamed pork buns for walking]. I’ve been meaning to try grocery shopping at Hmart in flushing.
Feisty Foodie says
H-Mart in Flushing isn’t very close to the LIRR or 7 train stations! Where do you live now? I can always give you lots of recommendations… or show you around a closer supermarket (I’m partial to HKS).
Darren says
Midtown between and west of Penn station and the 7. I’m fine with walking. But, it’s probably more practical to bike to Manhattan chinatown for HKS.
Feisty Foodie says
Haha then you might as well go to H-Mart in K-town! White Bear is totally worth the trek, and it isn’t even that far if you get the express 7. Seriously, best Sichuan wontons in the city.
Darren says
H-mart in Ktown is a shell of an Hmart. I’m still not convinced it’s real. They don’t even list it on the website; the company is probably embarrassed.
I guess I’ll just do a white bear, pho bang, street pheasant trip.
Feisty Foodie says
Tell me more about this street pheasant.
Darren says
Xinjiang street cart… I want to say it’s near Prince Street and 38th Avenue because I found it on my way to Nan Shian Dumpling House. They have all the usual skewers plus really juicy pheasant.
Darren says
Yup it was definitely at the cutout with benches on the corner of 38th and Prince when i was there… but it doesn’t show up on any yelp maps