"The Chinese dumpling is a magnificent product of the human imagination: At its best, it is charming in appearance, chewy and savory, and can trigger a head rush like sashimi or blue cheese." Tim Wu calls for a Dumpling Revolution, and my belly rumbles in agreement. [via Kathryn]
Just about the last thing I need in my apartment is another tiny tchotke, but it's taking all my willpower to resist buying one of these lovely handmade one-of-a-kind wool potsticker girls: "Speically designed and carefully handsewn by Momo, each of these Potsticker Girls is one of a kind with her own characters and expression!! They even have different color blushes!" I want the one in this photo!
Each girl is $9 + $5 shipping from Hong Kong, but if you're getting more than one just email the seller to get a special rate. Buy me one, while you're at it. [via del.icio.us/yi]
NYC Yum yum dumplings! The Daily News roundup of dumpling joints below 14th St.
NYC Nip and Squirt. A Full Belly patron saint Robert Sietsema reviews Mott Street's two-year-old Shanghai Café: "The most expensive ($6.95 for 8) features pork and a larger wad of crab than has ever been found in a juicy bun before. Sans crab, the dumplings are two dollars less, and I don't know which to recommend, since each is equally good in its own way. A third type cloaks gravy and pork in a doughier dumpling, fried crisp on the bottom like a pot sticker. The squirting grease will still kill you." Sounds like my kind of place! When I'm in Chinatown I almost always eat at New Green Bo, but I'll give Shanghai Café a shot next week.
NYC The Dumpling Man weblog claims that the "dumpling war" is over now that the Plump Dumpling will be a Chinese food takeout joint rather than a dumpling specialty eatery. Am I the only one saddened by this news? Speaking of sad, a video clip inspired by "the war."
