Bang-a-rang: Das Racist eats the city
Ramen, dumplings, and carnitas
Das Racist: Victor Vazquez, left.
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The A.V. Club asked Victor Vazquez of local meta-rap phenomenon Das Racist to share some of his favorite meals across New York. Take it away, Victor.
Shanghai Cafe (100 Mott St, 212-966-3988, Chinatown)
Shanghai Cafe does a bang-a-rang soup dumpling. The soup dumpling is a humbling food. It's challenging. The secret ingredient is fear. Most of the pork dishes at Shanghai Cafe are also bang-a-rang. Pretty much everything there is good, and it's pretty cheap. But the soup dumplings are a standout dish.
Cafe Los Arcos (255 Bushwick Ave, 718-381-2550, Bushwick)
The carnitas here are very beautiful, but I think I'm mostly into the place because I used to live a few blocks away and I practice in the area with my other band, Boy Crisis. The lady there has the same last name as me, so every time I go in there she's like, "Hello, Mr. Vazquez" and I'm like "Hello, Miss Vazquez," which is one of those things that's cute when it happens, but, I'm now realizing, is not really worth mentioning in print.
Minca Ramen (536 E. 5th St, 212-505-8001, East Village)
The first time I ever had fancy ramen was here. I went to all these other ramen spots afterward, but this is by far the best. The basic and miso ramens are the jump-off. The pork is insane.
Vanessa's Dumpling House (118 Eldridge St, 212-625-8008, Lower East Side)
Used to be five dumplings for a dollar, but now it's four, which is still a good deal. The sesame bread sandwich thingies are also my jam—especially the duck one. There's actually another spot that's five dumplings for a dollar, but I don't really want to blow up the spot. Plus I don't remember the name of the place or what street it's on. But just walk around Chinatown—cheap food isn't rocket science.
