Steamed Pork Belly Bun at Momofuku Ssäm!
I've never written about New York in this here blog because, well, I live in Gotham. Life for me here is more about banal instrumentality than it is about exotic adventures. I recognize that I may be selling New York short by having adopted this mindset. This acknowledged, dinner last night was so insanely satisfying that I can't not write about it.
It was my sister's half-birthday yesterday and she got ten friends together at Momofuku Ssäm bar for dinner. It was whole bucketload of fun, and I discovered a new culinary treasure along the way.
The steamed pork belly bun at Momofuku is elementally thrilling. Pork belly, hoisin, and pickled cucumber: meaty fat, savory sugar, acid ripple. What else will ever be necessary going forward? All the hype is deserved. When this or that friend told me months ago that I needed to get over to Momofuku to nab myself a pork belly bun, they were right.
The Bo Ssäm that followed was delicious and banquet-like and majestic, of course. But that steamed bun is why I'll return.

mmmmm buns.
Posted by: poet with a day job | February 07, 2008 at 14:13
I finally tried Momofuku's Pork Buns this past Saturday night. You really weren't kidding Alex.
I had to order 2 extra servings. I'm missing them already.
Posted by: matt | July 23, 2008 at 13:53