Lucky 518 Market

(This post is based on visits to the shop's previous incarnation, New Asia Market, with the same phone number but, apparently, different owners.) "Try it with lechon," suggested the label, on "barbecue, grilled and roasted meat, fish, and seafood." I needed a easier party snack for that evening; the Indonesian owners had an idea.

Beside a bowl of Suka Pinakurat spiced coconut vinegar (250 ml.; about $3), fermented in the Philippines, they suggested a bag of fried fish crackers (7 oz.; also about $3). When dipped, the kemplang goreng snapped, crackled, and popped while absorbing trace amounts of spicy vinegar — though the sweetened Suka Pinakurat, if you can find it, might be more appealing to most party-goers.

Also shown: a dense durian-filled cake (200 g.; $3.69), from Indonesia.

Lucky 518 Market
67-05 Woodside Ave. (67th-68th Sts.), Woodside, Queens
718-779-8883

Comments

[mich]

How did it go? You liked it?

[Dave Cook]

I like fish and shrimp crackers even by themselves, and I thought the vinegar added a nice touch. Several of my friends found it too spicy, though; they would have welcomed a second dipping bowl, with the sweetened vinegar (which I haven't tried).

[sher]

I am from the Philippines and if you find the vinegar to spicy,you can make your own. Crush some garlic, slice or mince some red onions, add crushed peppercorns and a piece of those tiny red chilies. Add all these to your bottle of vinegar and use as a dip. We sometimes steep the spices for at least two weeks to get the flavor going but you can use it right away. Salt and sugar is also added..