Taiwanese Street Food

If there was one type of food that reminds me of my childhood, it is street food from Taiwan. I never thought I'd taste it again until I discovered the little restaurants called Hsin Hsin by Hong Kong Supermarket in Rowland Heights. It's so close to what I remember from Taiwan that I don't mind driving 30 miles out to get a quick lunch for under $10 for two items.

Here are two of my favorites: a ground beef rice bowl with cabbage, another type of pickled lettuce, and a stewed hard boiled egg topped with cilantro; and a big bowl of shave ice, taiwanese style (complete with sugary syrup and condensed milk). You get to choose four items for your shave ice and mine includes mung bean, red bean, taro and tapioca. It's the closest thing to getting on a 12 hour flight to Taiwan.

Quest for the Perfect Egg Custard Tart

When was the last time you had a really good Egg Custard Tarts? I heard from some other foodie friends that if you want a really good egg tart, you need to go to SF Chinatown. When I was SF for my sister's wedding, I snuck away before the rehearsal dinner and went on a quest for the perfect egg custard.

It was nothing I expected but more. I walked in to Golden Gate Bakery on Grant St. and immediately smelled the fresh tarts baking. They have other items, but my sources tell me that the egg custard tart was the thing to get. At a mere $1.35, it was a bargain. I walked out of the store with the tart still warm in my palm and the first bite, I was hooked. The flaky crust almost reminded me of a french pastry. The filling was warm, light and had the perfect sweetness. The custard didn't make it 5 feet past the store. I wish I bought more but I didn't want to stand in the line again. But this is THE place to get a egg tart if you are every in San Francisco, despite having to navigate the crowded streets of Chinatown.

Golden Gate Bakery, 1029 Grant Street, 415-781-2627.