Apholo Shippers

(This venue is closed.) Apholo makes its mark by shipping "balikbayan" boxes (Care Packages intended to remedy homesickness more than hunger) to and from the Philippines. It also stocks this sari-sari (convenience store) with a small but select offering of incoming goods.

Ludy's instant salabat, with lemon (160 g.; $1.09) is a Filipino ginger punch (sometimes, "ginger tea") that doesn't pack quite the wallop of the lemon ginger cider from May May — though I'm sure you could mix it double-strength if you needed to air out the nasal passages.

In addition to 6 oz. packets of polvoron, the shortbread-like toasted wheat cakes flavored with purple yam, pandan and coconut, or rice, Apholo also sells a variety pack (500 g.; $3.49) that includes melon and strawberry, flavors I haven't seen individually. The melon is especially nice, but like all these wheat cakes, it's very dry and crumbles easily to a powder. A glass of water makes a good chaser.

Apholo Shippers
65-21 (65th-66th Sts.), Roosevelt Ave., Woodside, Queens
718-205-4294