As strange as this post seems, it is necessary. This is the end of a 9 year long search for a little something we call manipua. (Right around now, I'd like to send a little holla to Christie, I know you know what I'm talkin about!) Between Guava bread and Manipua, I think I trace the beginning of my marriage weight gain. It all started on a sunny lunchtime in Laie, HI. Brian is showing me around the island and all his favorite places, which include the corner market that sells this fabulous creation called Manipua. I fall in love. Every day of that blissful week finds us at the corner market searching out a fresh little pork pouch.
Flash forward about a year. Finds us in San Fransisco on our way to Disneyland in China town. Searching from bakery to bakery looking for Manipua/Pork Bao. No one has it! No one!! Disappointment is mine, yet still dreaming about it.
Flash to present, 10:32 am on Saturday morning, April 25, 2009. Finds us driving thru Salt lake city, post haircuts and donuts at Banbury and we pass an Asian market. My thought is "hmm, lanterns for the patio, let's stop" My second thought, yes, you guessed it! " I wonder if they have Pork bao?" We search, none fresh. I get this crazy idea that maybe Asian would enjoy their favorites frozen the way we enjoy a frozen pizza. I wander the frozen isle, hopeful and longing like a child looking for the toy they have coveted on the shelves of a toy store. When, like a beacon, from down the isle I see it, in the distance, my long lost love. A bag of frozen manipua. I run, arms outstretched to recover it (ok not really, but my excitement did make a few of my fellow shoppers turn and stare for a minute). Five dollars! Five dollars for a whole bag of this deliciousness.
When we got home I just couldn't wait to see, so we tried one and it was EXACTLY the same! I am finally at peace with my food needs! Well, almost. I still haven't found a Nanaimo bar that stands up to the one from that little bakery in Surrey Canada..........
4 comments:
NO WAY!!! That's so awesome! And looks so scrumptious. Jealous! What Asian market did you find those precious bits of heaven at? Cause you know sister, I'm going tomorrow and looking for them. Thanks for posting this, it sure makes me hungry.
You are so cute! They sound heavenly! In Seattle at the farmer's market a little place sells bbq pork humbao that is just fantastic and I get it every time we go! yummmmmy!!!
It's right down the street from Cocoa cafe. It's unmarked, let's see, I want to say like 800 south, just before state street. They are just like the real thing!
Mmmm. They definitely sound worth a try...great, now I'm hungry. Thank goodness there's pie in the fridge.
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