Sam got these Japanese Candies (Hida No Warubobo Wanted). I don’t know if that’s an anime/manga/cartoon. I couldn’t find any info. But the bag of candy is interesting. There are five pieces of hard candy …one of which is spicy. So I guess it’s kind of like a Russian Roulette style of eating candy. We all took a piece and ate it at the same time. Surprise! Sam got the spicy one.
Does anyone else have this problem where you can’t decide what to eat for lunch and end up walking around for an hour? I guess with so many choices, it’s a good problem to have.
I ended up trying this halal truck on the southeast corner of 32nd Street and Park Ave, Manhattan. There’s a couple of halal carts in that area that seem to competing with the whole Rafiqi style toppings bar. I asked for everything on my lamb over spicy rice platter, which included chickpeas, black beans, corn, olives, cilantro, both grilled and raw onions, lettuce, tomato, a slice of pickle, white sauce, hot sauce. That hot sauce is the spiciest I’ve ever had from a cart or truck. Crazy good if you’re into the heat. Make sure you get the spicy rice too. I was sweating so much eating it in the park, I had to take it back to my cold AC office to finish up.
Only thing was that the lamb tasted like a salty hot dog. But pluses go to the two older guys in the truck. One of them smiled and thanked me genuinely. I’m not sure if he had teeth.
R&Z Halal Truck – southeast corner of 32nd Street & Park Ave, NYCÂ 10016
The New York Times called Rhong-Tiam’s Pork on Fire a “contender for spiciest dish in the city”. They recently opened up an Rhong-Tiam Express in my work area of the Flatiron District, focusing on Thai take-out, roti wraps and fruit juices.
I went there to get the Pork on Fire ($13). The people there were really nice. Now for the bad news. I didn’t think it was spicy at all. It was strange. I could see the spices and peppers in it, but couldn’t taste anything in my mouth except for the heavy soy sauce-flavored sauce. My head did have a nice cooling sweat, but I still couldn’t taste the heat. I don’t think I’m a tough guy with a high tolerance for spiciness, so this is very strange. Is my tongue dead? Does Express not deliver the heat? Are the NYTimes pussies?
Looks like the Amatuer Gourmet thought it was spicy. I think my tongue is dead. Anyone else tried this? Do I make this dish sound less intimidating or not daring enough?
Rhong-Tiam Express – 31 E 21st St (btwn Broadway & Park Ave) New York 10010
Todd just sent me this video. My mom always asks me why I food blog, why I play rock shows, why I don’t have a girlfriend? I ask why this guy did this.