LUCKY CAKES

CICF is proud to announce that it is now offering cupcakes for delivery within Manhattan and certain areas of Brooklyn. We are kicking off our line with the first of our Asian inspired cupcakes with more to come.

Lucky Cakes...

The color red in both ancient and modern Chinese culture has signified luck. Lucky cakes are inspired by red velvet cake and are topped off with a pink cream cheese frosting.

Got Luck? Well, at least now you have cupcakes. That's lucky and yummy enough.

Great for birthdays, anniversaries, or just for people who like eating cupcakes.

A portion of the profits of this item will be donated to supporting a variety of Asian Non Profit Organizations. For a list, please visit our Community section of the site.

Delivery available in Manhattan and certain areas of Brooklyn. $36 includes a dozen cupcakes, delivery, taxes and tips. Please place your orders 48 hours in advance.

Visit http://chinatownicecreamfactory.com/node/248 for more information.

SINGAPORE CAFE

I really like to eat at Singapore Cafe every now and then. I was always confused about why they called it Singapore Cafe when they served Malaysian food. I just recently figured out that it considers itself a fusion of Singapore, Malay and Chinese cuisines.

Everything is very reasonably priced; just like everything else in Chinatown. I like how the portions here aren't overwhelmingly huge. They aren't quite tapas style, but the smaller portions allow you to try a variety of different things.

The CICF kids just recently had their graduation party there. Their favorites include the chicken satay, honey glazed roast pork, and golden crispy calamari for appetizers. For main courses, they loved their pad thai and singapore chow mine fun.

Check it out one of these nights.
Singapore Cafe: 69 Mott Street (Between Canal & Bayard Streets)
(212)964-3476

WHERE'S THE MILK IN CHINATOWN

Recently someone who had just moved to the neighborhood asked me where it was possible to buy milk because it was nowhere to be found. I decided today to blog about this...

Of course I would know the answer to this question because I need to buy milk for my store because I am after all in the ice cream business. It recently has been a challenge for myself as well.

Because of all of the ridiculous increases in Manhattan along with runaway inflation many local markets have decided not to carry milk and certain types of dairy. I have read that NYC's regulations have gotten quite strict and for many markets it's just not worth it for them to carry regular milk.

It's really no surprise to me when all the big supermarkets are suffering in Manhattan besides Wholefoods. I read a lot of business magazines so I can understand why we are seeing this trend in Chinatown as well.

So to answer the question: Where is it possible to buy milk in Chinatown?

(1) Duane Reade on the Bowery (Btw Bayard and Canal)
(2) Dynasty Supermarket (Btw Hester and Grand)

DOLLAR DUMPLINGS

For those of you who don't know about the $1 dumplings are missing out in life. In the middle of little old Mosco street sits a shop that will sell you 5 dumplings for a dollar. The dumplings are all made on the premises and are hand rolled in front of you.

They also offer a few other yummy things that I love. Sweet and sour soup is a must. Soy drinks are also good to cool off during a hot day.

The dumplings are super yummy and it's a bargain that you can't beat! Try them out!

Dollar Dumplings -Mosco Street (Cross streets: Mott and Mulberry)

Fong In Too

This Chinatown business is celebrating its 75th year. Whoa...that is hella long! I thought that the CICF being here for its 30th year was a big deal but that blows us out of the water!

Founded by Eng Bing Sun in June 29th 1933 , orig. located at 43 Mott. They moved to their present location in early 60’s. It's been in the same family since the 1930's.

Fong In Too sells tofu both retail and wholesale. Retail and wholesale:include freshly made tofu, rice cakes, ho fun, rice noodles, soy milk (tofu fah,). All the restaurants I know of in Chinatown get their tofu from this neighborhood establishment.

There are 3 of the original owners sons running it now; David , Joe , Kivin. Joe is an ex NY police officer

David is very an Asian American Advocate. He is extremely active in the Chinatown Community issues. His heart is in the fight to preserve Chinatown small business and culture.

Try the law bak gau. (Taro cake) That's my favorite to make at home in the morning.

Fong In Too, 46 Mott Street; (btw Bayard and Pell Streets)

Rebuilding the Bridge with the Jabbawockeez

Sichuan Earthquake Charity Event

Chinatown Ice Cream Factory is proud to be an in-kind sponsor to this great fundraising event. It will be a good time, raising money for a good cause. What better way to spend a Saturday night? The performances will be excellent! My friend and I have already bought our tickets and I encourage you to do the same!

It's good to see all these Asian Not For Profits bond together to do something for efforts to rebuild the Sichuan area after the earthquake. Details are below:

Please join a ground breaking coalition of Asian American performers and not-for-profit organizations as we raise awareness and dollars to help rebuild China's Sichuan region after one the most devastating natural disasters in recent memory. Appearances include Planet B-Boy, Ryan Leslie, Beau Sia, Andrew Choi, Park Jin Young (JYP), Ken Leung (ABC's Lost), Councilman John C. Liu, DJ Cipha Sounds and DJ Delinger. Tickets available here: web: http://www.rebuildingthebridge.com email: nbulalacao@mocanyc.org There's a $10 discount for buying online and seating is limited! 100% of your ticket purchase is tax deductible since it all goes to charity. Mainstream media and people in general are starting to forget that a major earthquake hit China leaving tens of millions of homeless and in need of help for many years to come. So even if people can't attend, we still want them to remember. So besides raising money, we're looking to maintain awareness of the earthquake victims in China.

Yello

Today got together with buddies Kendra and Margaret and headed down to Mulberry Street for a drink.

Margaret, a local New Yorker and familiar with Chinatown was surprised to see a young posh after work crowd in the neighborhood. Often growing up, many of us associate Chinatown as a place to only run our family's errands and have family events.

Yello is a really cute bar that serves yummy drinks. You can find Lychee Martinis as well as whatever beer suits your fancy.

The food here is surprisingly very good for a bar. They have quite an extensive menu; ranging from calamari to chicken wings. All three of us girls are huge fans of their chicken wings. Even my tiny friend Margaret somehow managed to down a round herself!

We're excited to hit up the karaoke that they have downstairs that we recently discovered is free! I can't sing for my life, but it's all in good fun.

Yello-Mulberry Street (Btw Mosco and Bayard Streets)

July is NATIONAL ICE CREAM MONTH!!!

What cooler month than July?? Literally!! Yes, it is National Ice Cream Month. Celebrate with us by coming in for some new flavors on it's way at the CICF. Also keep your eyes peeled for some of the old favorites making their reappearances (durian, rice, etc).

I think Ronald Reagan definitely was my favorite President of all time. Besides for the fact that he had some killer good looks in his young days as an actor, he established National Ice Cream Month. National Ice Cream Day falls on the 3rd Sunday of July.

President Reagan realized that ice cream was a dessert that is fun and nutritious on top of being absolutely delicious! What a smart man. I think we would've really got along if we'd had a chance to meet.

Ice cream is definitely the #1 food category in my life!

FUZHOUNESE STUDY

My very good friend Winnie is currently doing a research project on the Fuzhonese youth of Chinatown. Winnie is doing some pioneering research. Not much has been written on the Fuzhou population because they are considered a more recent immigrant population.

Though NYC's Chinatown has historically been a Cantonese speaking neighborhood, we have recently seen huge changes in the language and food being served here.

I'll keep you posted on what her findings are in the near future. If you are a Fuzhounese Youth and you would like to participate, please find more information below:

Researcher: Winnie Tam Hung Cultural Studies Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, Cell: 845-234-2078, wintam@ucdavis.edu

Title of Study: Chinatown Rim: Chinese Subjectivities and the Cultural Politics of an Ethnic Space

Protocol #: HC-02081053

ARE YOU FUZHOUNESE?

You are being asked to participate in a study about your experiences growing up in the U.S. and your feelings about your life in the U.S., New York, and Chinatown. Interviews will last on average one (1) hour, but can last as long as necessary and the researcher expects to conduct 50 interviews. All information is voluntary. Participants must be 18-30 years old and legal residents of the U.S.

GCCA'S NEW Young Adult Leadership Team Kickoff

This Thursday, June 26th from 6:00-8:00, the Greater Chinatown Community Association (GCCA) will launch their new Young Adult Leadership Team (YALT). Whew...that was a mouthful! It's much easier to work with abbreviations when talking about associations that have way too many words!

Recently, my buddy Kendra Lee who is the Executive Director of the GCCA asked if I would chair a committee that helped to bring youth into the Chinatown to patron our businesses and become aware of issues that are going on in our community.
How could I pass up the offer? I LOVE Chinatown!

Our first event will be at Silk Road Mocha which is on 30 Mott Street (btw Mosco and Pell Streets). It will be an evening of FREE food and networking with young adults who are interested in learning about the Chinatown community.

For more information on the GCCA, visit www.gccanyc.org


Special thanks to the Coalition of the Asian Pacific Americans (CAPA) who is our Co-Sponsor.

Committe Members:
Winnie Hung Tam (PHD Candidate UC Davis, Hunter Faculty Member)
Ken Chen (Executive Director of the Asian American Writer's Workshop)
Mabel Cheah (Corocan Group)
Angela Wen (Kyowa Hakko USA)
David Chu (National Urban Fellows)

NEW SHANGHAI KITCHEN

Moonhouse's old location, reopened today as the New Shanghai Kitchen. The chefs from Moonhouse reopened the restaurant as being not only the chefs, but as business owners.

I haven't personally tried the food there yet but I imagine that the food would be quite comparable.

New Shanghai Kitchen is located at 67 Bayard Street.

REMEMBER THE EGG CAKE LADY?

Remember that Egg Cake Lady on Mosco Street? Well back a couple of years ago, her shop closed on Mosco street.

Her shop was very memorable because she worked it all alone and there used to be lines that would span to Columbus Park. She used to limit people to only 2 bags of egg cakes each. She was also known for closing abruptly although she had a whole line of customers. Story has it that she put all of her children through college selling those $1 bag of cakes.

I haven't heard what the reason for her closing was. Maybe she just didn't need the money anymore?

Well now, in it's place sits a kiosk that sells candy and cold drinks. It's not the egg cake lady, but it's nice to see that the space has reopened.

For those of you who don't know where Mosco Street is; it's that tiny street that runs perpendicular to Mott Street. It's literally half a block long. Most people go a lifetime without ever going down there. It's a really cool street though!

THE NEW FLOWER SHOP

There's a new flower shop on Pell Street. What's news about this shop, is that it took over the location of what was previously May May for many years. Although the shop is very pretty, it'll take some getting used to for me and other locals. For two generations, we have been so used to seeing May May's there. Signs of a changing Chinatown.

The flower shop is very pretty. They also sell indoor, outdoor, and bamboo plants there. The fresh cut flowers are also breathtaking. I bought some lovely flowers the other day to dress up my dining room table. My family loved them!

Located on Pell Street, btw Mott and Bowery (Closer to Mott).

SUNSET CINEMA SERIES

There's going to be a series of films that are going to be put up in Columbus Park. Sunset Cinema Series is going to start Saturday, June 7th at 6:30-8 pm, and continue on each Saturday till the end of the month. The series consists of a series of different Asian American films from the last decade.


It's a spinoff of what Lunar Stages had done in previous years. It's a great event to attend to enjoy the summer in Chinatown. All the movies are free, and they will be accompanied by a variety of performances and free events.

It's great for a family event, a group of friends, or a cheap date! Columbus Park is located on 67 Mulberry Street.

Check out http://www.aaari.info/2008sunsetchinatown.htm for more info!

RICE INCREASES IN PRICE

I really don't know how these businesses in Chinatown survive. Today I bought duck over rice and it was $3.75. Right now rice is at a super high price and they say there's a shortage. The other day I went to Costco, and I noticed that they limited all the shoppers to 3 bags max for their purchase of rice.

The food is really really good in Chinatown. I think the marketing of some of the restaurants here is too old school. I had this conversation with someone and we came to the conclusion that maybe back in certain areas in China, food was valued more than marketing.

Competition in Asia is also fierce. In my opinion the Chinatown businesses should charge what their meals are worth because they are just cheating themselves. Often the customers just see the food as being low quality because of their low prices.

I would easily pay $10-$15 for that meal.

THE SKADDEN ARPS SIGNING

I thought I was pretty prepared for the signing at Skadden, but I was actually much more nervous there than I was at Macy's. I felt slightly out of my element.

The kids were great of course; but I guess I wasn't used to being in the presence of so many prestigious lawyers who were there to hear me speak. I'm great around kids and demoing food but when it comes to speaking in front of these super lawyers, I get the jitters in my knees. Oh well...did my best.

Overall it went very well. Glad that big companies like Skadden are not only recognizing but celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. I'm glad that I could introduce them and their children to my book and introduce them to Chinatown. Everyone knows how I love C-Town!

One of the lawyers there was actually studying and practicing speaking, reading, and writing Chinese in Chinatown. She was just as excited as the kids about my new book! Glad I could make their days.

I really love being in the food industry. Food is a very comfortable medium to introduce someone to your culture because everyone has to eat. And everyone eats ice cream! In the end, whether you're a big shot lawyer or a young child, ice cream can always bring a smile to your face.

SATURDAY AT MACY'S

So today is Sunday and I'm still pooped from Saturday. Some days, I have to pinch myself that I'm alive. I really love my job and what I do varies from one day to the next. Very exciting...

So yesterday was the second time where I was invited to do a demonstration in Macy's at Herald Square. For me it's one of the most nerve racking experiences. Not only are you demonstrating in front of a crowd of 50 people, but they also have 3 plasma televisions in the store showing your demo.


The last time I was invited, my Father and I demonstrated how to make red bean ice cream. Yesterday since we were short handed at the shop, I had to go alone and demo our ice cream sheet cake.

Everything turned out really well. The audience was very shy when I asked for participants, not many people wanted to come up. I thought that meant that my demo was a flop.

To my surprise, after my demo was over, I was mobbed by people who wanted to talk to me in person. The crowd even wanted me all to autograph their Macy's recipes.

One woman was so cute. She gave me a hug and she told me that I was special and to marry wealthy. hahaha...words of wisdom, I guess.

So I went back to my shop after the Macy's demo and my kids (my workers) told me that I just missed Tyra Banks. I heard she came in with sunglasses and that she's as beautiful in person as she is on TV. Tyra got 3 scoops of ice cream! Whoa baby!

ICE CREAM FOR APA MONTH

CICF is involved with so many events this APA month! It seems so surreal that we've been invited to so many great events.

May 1st-Our ice cream is served at Gracie Mansion for the Mayor's APA Celebration. Our ice cream was a hit!

May 3rd-Christina Seid does an ice cream sheet cake demonstration at Macy's Herald's Square.

May 8th-Book signing for Saturdays in Chinatown at Skadden Arps.

May 10th-CICF will be participating in the CAPA Festival.

May12th-Christina Seid gives a talk at Hunter College on second generation businesses.

May 13th-Our ice cream is being served at the Rapture Gala which will be held at the IAC Headquarters, newly designed by Gehry. The Gala will celebrate Gehry's new building. Noteworthy participants in the project include Frank
Gehry, Diane von Furstenberg, Feist, Barry Diller and Robert Wilson.
Me and my sister Kathy will be there at the after party if you'd like to join us!

May17th-CICF will partcipate in the Macy's APA Children's Day. (Not confirmed)

May 20-Book signing for Saturdays in Chinatown at Hamilton Madison

GRACIE MANSION

Today is May 1st which marks the beginning of Asian Pacific Awareness (APA) Month. CICF has the honor having its ice cream served at the Mayor's reception tonight at Gracie Mansion. Our ice cream is that good! =)

I haven't been blogging as much as I should because CICF will be participating in a whole bunch of great things for APA Month. I'll post the information up on this blog shortly.

Although great things have been happening, I have also been pretty sad the last day. Yesterday was the last day for my dear neighbors who own Moonhouse restaurant. The closing of their restaurant made me feel like I was losing a member of my family. As silly as it seems, it was a very emotional day for me. I told Jeanie to hold me and tell me that it wasn't over. And yes...I cried. Couldn't help it. =(

Off to eat ice cream at the Mayors! Will blog back later!

THE TRAVEL CHANNEL

Today, I got to be part of the Travel Channel's piece on the different Chinatowns across the U.S. The Chinatowns that were visited include Chinatowns in San Fran, Philadelphia, Portland, & Boston.

I think that I've visited most of the other Chinatown and I don't think any of them compare to our NY Chinatown.

I'll keep you posted on when the segment will air. I still of course think that our Chinatown is #1!