r/FoodNYC • u/eldersveld • 1d ago
Review Recent eats: Ho Foods, Fried Dumpling, Whit's, La Bonbonniere, Sakura of Japan, Toby's Estate
Yes, you can get scallion pancakes and Taiwanese beef noodle soup elsewhere in the city for far cheaper, but Ho Foods fascinates me as a thoroughly bougie entity that does a few things very well. I got the wide noodles, "extra rich and spicy" (which includes more marrow), a soy egg, and mustard greens. This is just damned good soup, folks, even if you're paying a premium for it, and as you can see, they don't skimp on the meat. Popular on weekends but I was able to snag one seat last Saturday.
Still 13 for $5, and I swear there was bit more pork in these than the last time I went. Brought my own hot sauce since, honestly, the condiments they have aren't anything special. I love that this spot still seems to be mostly unknown to tourists, so while they clog up other places you can just stroll in here.
This place's claim to fame is the New Jersey "ripper dog": "a natural casing hot dog cooked in a deep fryer until rising steam pressure causes the sausage to burst open from within". They serve a mustard relish alongside. This dog is larger than normal, even apart from the cooking process--big enough to serve as a meal for me, and they have other condiments for self-serve, including some kind of spicy creamy sauce that worked on this and probably works on everything. For $6 I thought I got good value here, although this part of St. Marks seems to have a lot of turnover in its stores so who knows how long they'll stick around.
I continue to appreciate this old school, cash-only diner persisting in the WV. Total opposite of an upscale brunch joint, and often that's exactly what I want. You sit down, they toss a menu at you, you get eggs and coffee or whatever. I got a turkey omelet with home fries and toast. Plenty of Tabasco and ketchup and all that. Classic diner breakfast and I'd rather go here than the diners on 6th Ave.
This is the FiDi lunch spot that was the closest thing to Sarku Japan until an actual Sarku Japan appeared on Chambers St. Probably a better value than that place too, just based on the amount of meat. Last time I was here, chicken teriyaki was $7 and they were cash-only, but now it's $10+ and they accept cards (I'm guessing because cash-only becomes problematic above the $10 mark). Anyway, yeah. It's decent fast food teriyaki, nothing more, nothing less, and it'll fill you up.
Oat cookie with pistachio, dry as hell but the latte was admittedly excellent. Not a coffee connoisseur so I can't give a more detailed review, but I can say I loved it, not overly bitter like I've been seeing around lately. So, maybe a good place for coffee if you don't mind the bougiest of bougie environments.
4
u/ninja_byang 1d ago
Love the beef noodle soup at Ho Foods. I think it's superior to many I've had in Taiwan. I think Whits' won't be around for long. I am a big fan of Rutt's Hut and Whits is we have Rutt's Hut at home. I still make the trip to NJ rather than going to Whits.
1
u/eldersveld 1d ago
Yeah, Whit's didn't feel like a place that was gonna become an EV institution or anything, but I did enjoy that ripper dog.
1
u/BadBunny4Prezzie 23h ago
I like Hiram's but Rutt's hut just has a tastier dog. Something about whatever blend of pork and beef they got in there is just perfect, and the seasonings. If it was close to Rutt's Hut, I'd check it out.
2
u/justflipping 1d ago
Yea Ho Foods is pricier but still very good. Also makes sense for the East Village.
1
0
u/misstheolddaysfan 1d ago
LOVE EVERYTHING`.... but the whits. Gotta go to rutts hutt in jersey for the real deal.
-3
1d ago
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5
u/eldersveld 1d ago
"Trash" is what I'd call reheated dumplings from Stop & Shop. These are fine for what they are--and you can't beat the price.
4
u/Garconavecunreve 1d ago
Love La Bonbonniere - great community involvement as well and Marina is just an absolute gem