The first time I walked into Bubble Shop (part of New Golden Village Oriental Supermarket in Scarsdale), I entirely missed the huge menu of bubble tea. There was my favorite Chinese sponge cake (sold by the slice at bakeries in Chinatown), in all stages of production.
There were the sheets of cake, stacked in racks higher than my head. There, a bowl piled high with creamy filling. And there was someone rolling them up, and the long rolls of cake ready for sale. But…none by the slice??
No, none by the slice. The good news: The large cake costs $4.99. You can buy a triangular slice of cake, made with the same cake and the same cream (but in a different shape! a different shape!). You can even buy a ginormous bag of cut-off cake scraps for $1 at the adjoining supermarket.
Once your eyes adjust, you’ll see traditional Chinese pastries that are available by the piece: moon cakes filled with date walnut, lotus seed, or pineapple (the best); flaky hopia cakes in winter melon and yellow bean; fried sesame balls stuffed with red bean paste. Having long sought out these items in regional Chinatowns, I found them especially fresh, including the custard tarts sold by the pair (both at the bakery and at the supermarket cashier).
The little lunch buffet at the back of Bubble Shop is a $3.99 bargain. Get a container packed with noodles or fried rice, sweet and sour chicken, delicious sautéed eggplant, bok choy (about 10 choices total), and take it out or eat at the ledge by the window (helping yourself to hot sauce).
Bubble Shop
365 Central Park Ave, Scarsdale
(914) 723-8888
