03/18/13 12:00am
Amazing Sichuan ‘Beer Nuts’ at Flushing New World Mal

Each savory flavor bomb sings with sugar, chili, and Sichuan peppercorn.

PLEASE NOTE THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED

Every now and then I happen upon a Midnight Snack that I simply cannot stop eating. These guài wèi hūa shēng, or “queer taste peanuts,” are so eminently snackable I should have bought two, or even three, containers instead of one. The English name on the sign reads, “stir fried peanuts with sweet and spicy sauce.” A better description would be “sweet and savory flavor nuggets that will haunt your dreams.”

Each roasted peanut is coated with a mixture of sugar, chili, Sichuan peppercorn, and garlic among other things. Crunchy, toasty, sweet and singing with the classic numb-hot flavor think of these babies as Sichuan beer nuts. They are available for $4 a container at Szechuan Dish in the New World Mall Food Court. Get there before I corner the market on their supply.

Szechuan Dish, No. 25, New World Mall Food Court, 40-21 Main St., Flushing

02/07/13 12:05pm
Taiwanese fish fry with peanuts and chili peppers is a great beer snack.

Taiwanese fish fry with peanuts and chili peppers is a great beer snack.

“This we call funny fish,” my Taiwanese-American college buddy Rick’s father said as he plopped down a bowl of small fried dish interspersed with peanuts and dried hot peppers. “It’s good with beer.” At the time I was not nearly as adventurous an eater as I am now, but the Taiwanese fish fry was way better than any chips or pretzels. Salty, crunchy, spicy, and nutty, and very, very good with an ice cold Budweiser.

Years later I found myself snacking on it at Mingle Beer House an ill-fated Flushing beer bar. Mingle is no more but  I’m glad that I can still find what I like to think of Taiwanese beer nuts at most any Chinese supermarket. Best of all there are variations some with a bit of sweetness in addition to the spice. For those who’d like to try to making this crave-inducing snack at home there’s a pretty easy-looking recipe over at Eating China.