Oh dear Midtown. How I loathe thee. That being said, each day graces me with one precious hour to hunt for a good lunch spot. The other day, I chose Ying Du. A hole in the wall small pastry shop in the morning, and a booming fast paced lunch spot by afternoon. Usually, there’s a line out the door filled with the stereotypical Asians mixed with the docile white co-workers they bring with them.
Once inside they give you a number and you can pick 3 toppings along with a heaping spoonful of rice. The toppings range from the familiar (chicken and broccoli) to the adventurous ( chicken feet). I opted for beef, bok choy and pork. I try to be conscious of what I pick, once I’m back at my desk people always stare at my lunch of choice.
Yes. I am the weird Asian girl who brings unidentifiable foods to the office, and which sometimes smell. No, I don’t give a shit. Equal opportunity employment right?
Anyway, the whole heaping mound full of food only costs $5.00 and its cash only. Once you pick up your 8 lbs of food, they have a condiment station where you can top it off with hot chili oil, soy sauce and they even provide little green tea cups to go.
You can sit in to eat, but I usually don’t since the crowd is dominated by pervs and weirdos who try to either look down my shirt or stare at me while I shove food down my throat. Other than that, Ying Du hits the spot (and may induce smelly farts later?)
Ying Du | 273 W 38th street NY
