The Sri Lankan neighborhood of Jamaica, Queens, is much more attenuated than its counterpart on Staten Island. If a market crawl is unfeasible in this neck of the woods, head to LakFood for the likes of vacuum-packed sailfish, ground coffee spiced with coriander, ginger, and cardamom, and a ten-pack of sesame jaggery sweets. Their percentage of unrefined cane juice is not too high; unwrapped, the depth-charge-shaped confections are not sugar bombs as you might fear.
On weekends only, the market — which has doubled in size and made over its facade since I took my photo, in 2013 — fills a keep-hot cabinet with buns and cutlets (croquettes). Fillings include mutton (goat), onion, and in my case fish. Figure on spicy.
LakFood
88-01 182nd Pl. (near Hillside Ave.) Jamaica, Queens
347-949-5137
www.Facebook.com/LakFood-186836845375607