WOW! WOW! WOW!
My favorite new thing to eat in Flushing. I can't imagine this place not blowing up at some point. On the other hand, I can imagine this shop becoming an Instagram sensation when finally discovered by some social media influencer. It definitely has all the right ingredients.
These crispy and fluffy pancakes from Guizhou are absolute winners. Better than any other "pancakes" I have eaten in the US, they certainly remind me of the best pancakes I experienced in China. The best part is that they are served fresh and extremely hot out of the fryer. In fact, I had a hard time holding the wrapper for a picture because it was burning my fingertips. Also, if you do catch them during off peak hours, I highly recommend asking for a new one that they can fry up in about 15 minutes. It's well worth the wait imho.
These wonderful pockets of dough are filled with various meats, seafood, and veggies. My favorites are scallion and pork at the moment, but beef and shrimp are good too. The cheese was interesting and made me think of a pupusas, but with crispier and fluffier bread. All options are deliciously seasoned with a hint of mala, which leaves a slight tingle on your tongue. The numbing effect is not bad at all, just enough for you to recognize the important role it plays in the grand scheme of things.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If at all possible, wait for the newest batch coming out of the fryer regardless of filling. The freshness makes a truly profound difference in the taste of the dough. Trust me, it's really worth the wait.
Btw, this is truly a family business. The Pancake is not just a mom and pop shop, it involves a grandma, grandpa, and a baby too. Such an interesting family that I had the privilege of chatting with today. Ruby, who works the cashier is pregnant with her second child. Her husband Daniel is Dominican and speaks fluent English, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, and even some French. Grandma and grandpa, who are kneading the dough and frying the pancakes, just immigrated from Guizhou last year. We are lucky they did, or we would never have this gem here.
Together, the fantastic pancake and the savory filling full of umami makes such an unbelievably amazing combination. Knowing it's always made fresh and never frozen is a bonus. There is definitely nothing else like it in NYC that I have seen ... ... and I am very thankful it's in the heart of Flushing. read more