Bing a ling

bing
Originally uploaded by i_eat_ny.

This is a picture of my new obsession. Actually, I've been obsessed with bing for an entire year. Carol introduced me to her friend Melissa who lives in Chinatown and is a fabulous designer. Long story short, Melissa told us about these awesome Chinese treats called bing. This is from an email from July 11, 2005: If you are anxious to give the Bings a try, the bakery (if one can call it that) is located downstairs in the Triple Eight Mall underneath the Manhattan bridge. As for my favorites, there are only three varieties available -- cabbage, spicy mustard greens and pork. The number of black sesame dots on the Bing indicates what's inside. There is a sister bakery in Flushing which has a couple of additional combinations like spicy chicken and spicy pork. I have yet to try either. Keep in mind that there is no English menu. The Bing, which look like sesame studded donuts, are on a tray on the counter.
Marvelous Melissa goes on to tell me the heating directions and other tips in the email, but when I tried going to the hidden restaurant in that mall under the bridge, I was confused, because all I saw was noodle soup, so maybe that place was just always out of them. Later, I read a piece in the NYTimes about the bakery in Flushing that makes them, and a new location in Manhattan that had yet to open. Well, they've opened and everyone is talking about them on the new Chowhound.com.
Last night Melissa had a tasting party, and I was lucky enough to finally eat bing! Imagine the yummy sesame bread from the Eldridge St. Dumpling House stuffed with delicious fillings of savory pork and cabbage, spicy chicken, beef, all kinds of goodness that you'll just have to try.
I'm addicted. In fact, I'm leaving the office now so I can get a bing for dinner. The store is right across from the IFC Center at West 3rd and 6th Ave and the chowhounders said that they're giving a free bing for every one you buy. See you there!