To Market: A Visit to Lotte Plaza (Asian Grocery)

so fresh. wasabi + soy sauce, please.

On Sunday we went to Lotte Plaza, which is a pan Asian* grocery shop in Maryland. We make it a point to stop in international grocery stores when we travel (we procured Croatian bacon chips on our honeymoon!). And locally, we try to find as many international grocery stores as possible. So far, this has been the best one. (In case you didn't know, DC's Chinatown is absurd. It boasts a Hooters & Fudruckers. So it's nice to know there's some good quality Asian imports that are driveable. Though, we did take a trip to Queens last year explicitly to get good quality Asian food.)

so many sauces. 

mutant coconut! my favorite. 

did you hear the This American Life podcast about calamari actually being bung? (as in, the pooper?)

fish balls. to be cooked at a later date.

 So, for dinner the next night, we obviously had to have a meal made from the fruits of our expedition. Michael has stated that he hates eggplant. But, I'm convinced he has no idea what he's talking about. SOOOOO I made spicy Chinese eggplant. My friend, who is well versed in all kinds of Chinese cooking (and most other styles as well) gave me the really easy, totally successful recipe.

Oskar loves eggplant, maybe.

More or less, soften the eggplant in the wok in a mixture of sesame & canola oil. Take it out. Sautee the onion & ginger in the same mixture, once the onions are becoming translucent, add the garlic. When the garlic is fragrant, add soy sauce & chili paste. Throw the eggplant back in. Once all warmed & mixed sprinkle with lime juice. EAT. (I might add some sugar next time to round out the flavors. But, my eggplant hating husband loved this dish & even had more for leftovers the next day!)

rule: must have beer with chinese food.

pork dumplings two ways. + dipping sauce of soy sauce, rice vinegar & chili paste.

note the size of the onions. made for a great texture juxtaposition to the eggplant.

roasted pork buns are like my favorite. these were an okay version. i LOVE that dough.

done.

AAaaaaannnnnnnnddddddddddd, now we leave for New Orleans. Cause I'm turning older. #30 on the #30th. #GOLDENBIRTHDAY, bitches.

*Asian really does refer to all of Asia when we're talking here. I get that this post is all Chinese & Japanese food. But, we also got some Indian snacks (not pictured), and when we traveled to Queens, we ate Nepali momos. Just, you know, for clarity.