Flushing Mall Food Court
133-31 39th Ave
Flushing, NY 11354
$
Flushing Mall Food Court is a legend in the Flushing food scene. It paved the way for Asian food courts all over the city and its one of the first, if not the first, to assemble multiple types of Asian fast food in one place. I remember eating here way back in my high school days when it was the only Flushing loitering spot with food, before the days of Queens Crossing and New World Mall food court. Unfortunately, this food court just never got popular with the masses. Maybe it was during a time when Western palates weren’t accustomed to exotic Asian street food. Maybe it was because its location is far from the train station and it was too much effort making the walk down 39th Ave. Regardless, this food court is still here and whipping out food better than most places in Flushing.
Like most days, the outside of the food court is empty. Occasionally there are small-scaled shows and corporate rallies that liven things up a bit.
What was once a melting pot of Chinese, Korean, Japanese cuisine has dwindled down to only a handful of shops. Now the vendors primarily serve Taiwanese food
At Diverse Dim Sum 不一樣點心, you can get a variety of Chinese breakfast items such as buns, fried dough, dumplings, and soy products.
Fresh Juice Bar 水霸 is the only non-savory shop in the mall. Here you could get refreshments like teas, smoothies, fruit juices, and bubble tea. I see they still use the Taiwanese ice station that used to be here.
At the furthest end of the food court is Temple Snacks 廟口小吃, named after a famous market district in Keelung city of Taiwan. They specialize in regional small eats but oddly I didn’t see any seafood on the menu, a trademark of the Keelung Miaokou Night Market.
Place your order here. The staff is very friendly.
Fool-proof menu with pictures and names of the food. Also everything is cheap and unique.
Hanged above the cashier is the secret menu that’s in only in Chinese. If you can read these or feel adventurous, definitely order from this menu as well.
Reiterating from my previous posts, I love kitchens that are visible to the public. You can see how clean the place is and what goes on with your food.
Fried Chicken Roll 廟口炸雞卷
Fried Chicken Roll 廟口炸雞卷
You will love the crispy bean curd skin of the Fried Chicken Roll 廟口炸雞卷 ($5.75). Inside the roll is a filling of taro and onions but I don’t think there is an ounce of chicken. I guess it gets the name because it resembles fried chicken? Best part of the dish is the garlic sauce that lights up your taste and smell senses.
Bamboo Shoots & Stewed Pork w. Rice 廟口筍干焢肉飯
Bamboo Shoots & Stewed Pork w. Rice 廟口筍干焢肉飯
They don’t mess around with the pork belly in the Bamboo Shoots & Stewed Pork w. Rice 廟口筍干焢肉飯 ($6.75). The whole chunk of meat was juicy and full of flavor. Accompanying the rice is some shredded bamboo shoots, minced fatty pork, lettuce, and tea egg.
The most famous vendor at the food court is Hankou Steaks 漢口牛排. Everything that is fried or grilled is good here but they are most famous for their steaks served on a sizzling platter. You can check our their menu here. I do fear from the C rating in the back though…
As soon as you walk into the vicinity, you feel an aura of oil in the air.
House Special Steak 漢口牛排 ($14.75)
The House Special Steak 漢口牛排 ($14.75) is what everybody gets. Its hard to resist when you hear the sizzling sound and smell the beefy aroma from the plates of everyone walking pass you.
House Special Noodle Soup 阿宗麵線
A restaurant called Ah Chung used to be next to Hankou Steaks but I think their menus consolidated. Being so, Hankou also serves the Ay Chung Mee Sua or House Special Noodle Soup 阿宗麵線 ($5.00). It is a soup of flour-rice noodles with some bamboo and cilantro in a bonito-flavored broth. After tasting the original in Taiwan, this one was not as deep in bonito flavor and a bit saltier. Nonetheless, I am glad I was able to find this soup in New York.
Flushing Mall Food Court has seen better days and I am amazed on how this whole mall is still running considering there is no business in any of the shops. Every year there are always rumors of the mall and food court closing down and I can see why with competing food courts in Queens Crossing and New World Mall. Very soon, a fourth food court (New York Food Court) is going to open on 133-35 Roosevelt Ave. As for now, Flushing Mall is here to stay so might as well make the best of it and have a taste of history.
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