Boring story short, I was out on the suburban west side yesterday for an appointment, and the redeeming factor follows:
Northwest baked Veggie Buns!
The brand is based in Seattle, WA and these buns are refrigerated, alleviating the mysterious and often gross frozen food factor.
I have been on the search for more-than-decent (and non-frozen) steamed buns for years in this city! Thank you, Uwajimaya – please come downtown, soon.
These seem near identical, if not a little smaller, than the faux pork buns served at Van Hanh, and formerly, Nhut Quang, RIP. Annual visits to Vegetarian Dim Sum in New York are always wonderful, but it’s nice to know I can have a little store-bought steamed bun action at home, too. The filling is nothing remarkable, or very discernible, but they’re indeed, more-than-decent (and convenient!) with an accompaniment.
Paired with the super quick & flavorful PPK Broccoli Curry Udon, and served with a soy/chili garlic dipping sauce. This curry includes broccolini, kale, spinach, jalapeño and sliced, baked tofu.
The mini haul: Coconut Nectar juice (which I picked up because it didn’t have added sugar – sadly, it’s still gross), udon noodles, Sencha green tea – which I’m on my 4th or 5th cup of the day of, the Veggie Buns, non-GMO Mellow White Miso, and the indulgent purchase of Taiwanese Peanut Mochi.
Please don’t suck.
Needless to say, I have acquired a new camera, and I am fairly content so far (despite these photos being taken in a half dark kitchen).
I almost made that udon last night. It’s on the menu for tonight instead. I’m adding oyster mushrooms to it.
fyi, did you know that TJ’s now has vegan mochi ice cream?
yeah, but I wouldn’t buy it again. I really liked the inside of the coconut one, and the chocolate filling was decent.
The TJ mochi is super NASTY
Awesome blog post, Jess! There’s a screening of Forks over Knives tomorrow night in Vancouver. You’ve gotten me reconsidering going to it…
P.S. How was the mochi?
oh, you should go! overall, really inspiring. and…sadly, bland. but what was I really expecting for under $2?
God, I love steamed buns. I would love to find non-frozen ones as you can never tell how long they’ve been hanging out in the store.
ohhh, what camera did you finally decide on? mine i making me grumpy. your pics look great for half lit.
xo
kittee
hi kittee! I still don’t have anything fancy or professional, but I picked up the Canon PowerShot SD1400 IS on sale and I’m liking it : )
That udon looks super fantastic!