LACHAGA LOVES: NYC <3

Hey #Heartbreakers! Hope you're having an amazing week! I can't believe it's been over 2 years since I've been to one of my fave cities in the entire world.

Last weekend it almost felt surreal that we were in the car on the way there, let alone taking in the energy of the city that I love (and missed!) so much.

And (of course) I sang the only appropriate song in the car as we exited the Lincoln Tunnel and entered the city that never sleeps:

WELCOME TO NEW YORK.

Destination: Katz's Deli

205 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002

After our event at the Javits Center in Midtown, we drove down to the Lower East Side to get sandwiches and pickles and coleslaw and potato salad and macaroni salad and Dr. Brown's Cream Soda from the *famous* Katz's Deli.

I got a turkey sandwich (it was about $23 just for the sandwich!) and it was so worth it. It was even enough food for me for *3 meals.*

And umm...hello. When we checked out, I stood where Jimmy Fallon did his February 2020 segment with BTS.

After our Katz's Deli run...we drove to Chinatown where I got to grab snacks and drinks from places I've dreamt of going to for a whileee now...an "I've wanted to go here since Pre-COVID long time" :)

THE DESTINATIONS

1. Tiger Sugar!

Chinatown: 197 Canal St, New York, NY 10013

Photo: TripAdvisor/Tiger Sugar

Tiger Sugar is an international dessert chain brand that originated in Taiwan and they're famous for their original black sugar boba tea with fresh cream mousse and a unique tiger stripe design (hence their apropos tagline "Brave as a Tiger").

OH and it's OH SO YUMMY. And it's the year of the Tiger, so Tiger Sugar is the perfect place to be in NYC!

Tiger Sugar actually went viral on TikTok last year and one of the other girls that was also in line ordering had heard about the shop from TikTok.

I ordered their most popular drink: Black Sugar Milk Tea with Boba, Pearl & Cream Mousse!

Well, actually, I first accidentally ordered the bubble tea as a hot drink, which meant I had to wait another 10-15 mins for my iced bubble tea. So I unintentially ended up with two bubble teas (score!). I had never had a hot drink with bubble tea before, but it was delicious. Some people say to order the drinks with 50% sugar (because they're super sweet). I ordered both regular and then for the iced one, I just waited for the ice to melt a little. Whatever works haha!

But to savor the flavor correctly, it's recommended to shake your Tiger Sugar bubble tea 15 times before drinking! I can attest...it's magic!

Check out their full menu here & wish you were there: TIGER SUGAR NYC (CHINATOWN)

(P.S. Tiger Sugar also has other NYC locations in Koreatown, Queens, & Brooklyn and other locations outside the city, including Philadelphia, Cherry Hill, NJ, Ellicott City, MD and more!)

2. Taiyaki NYC!

Manhattan Location: 119 Baxter Street, New York, NY 10013

Taiyaki NYC is a Japanese ice cream shop serving inventive flavors in a fish-shaped waffle cone. I've seen these *super cute* ice cream cones on my Instagram feed for a couple years now...and I fell in love.

I heard a LOT about Taiyaki this summer when I attended Airbnb's TOKYO 2020 events to learn about Japan and Japanese culture! Our friends from Tokyo (Lempy, Sakura, & Ko!) said taiyaki is very popular and so tasty.

They were right.

But Taiyaki NYC does it differently...they made the Taiyaki Fish (no fish, just the shape!) into a waffle ice cream cone!

OBSESSED.

Taiyaki NYC has the cutest graphic to explain the details of their delicious dessert!

Photo: Taiyaki NYC

My Mom and I both ordered vanilla ice cream with the red bean paste filling in the Taiyaki cone. We also tried the Matcha ice cream and another one they said would go well with the red bean paste was the Mango and Strawberry ice cream.

(P.S. Taiyaki NYC has other fab locations in Brooklyn, Queens, Boston, and Miami!)

(And...P.P.S. The last day to get the Rilakkuma cone is April 14th! They're too cute.)

Photo: @taiyakinyc / @feedyourgirlfriend on Instagram

Taiyaki NYC was so worth the stop. Plus, when we walked out we discovered another incredible find right next door...

Photo: @thedoughclub on Instagram

3. The Dough Club!

Location: 119 Baxter Street, New York, NY 10013

(A total surprise find!!!)

Let the truth be known: I'm a mochi lover.

So when I heard about mochi donuts, I knew my life wouldn't be complete until I tried them!!! I had seen mochi donut shops in California on Instagram, but I hadn't heard of any East Coast shops, until...

The Dough Club appeared just like magic...right next to Taiyaki NYC. They share the same address and the same amazing-ness and it was oh-so meant to be.

Photo: @thedoughclub on Instagram

The Dough Club, formed in NYC during late 2019, is known for its light and fluffy Japanese "Pon de Ring" style mochi donuts. (Mochi is a sweet Japanese rice cake and is a popular treat that serves as a staple topping - I add it to top off Taro Frozen Yogurt!).

So what makes mochi donuts different is the extra complexity of (slightly!) chewy. Bottom line: they're addicting!

We ordered 6 mochi donuts: Purple Pebble (purple potato!), Berry Lovely, & Cruncha Matcha.

YUM YUM YUM. YUM YUM YUM.

I think that sums it up.

I can't wait to go back to The Dough Club!

Thank you for the amaze day, NYC. Love youuuu!

So excited to head back to NYC again soon and to explore more (new!) FAVE destinations! xo

LYM! <3

love, the girl with the big pink heart™

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