It was Melody’s turn to join the 30’s club, and since she was working in NYC for the month, I joined her for my golden weekend to celebrate the occasion. Having read a recent Times article about the hidden treasures in Flushing, we brought along my parents and visiting aunt from Germany on an eating tour of this mecca of Northern Chinese cuisine. We started in the basement of the dilapidated Golden Shopping Mall. Sitting on wobbly fold-up stools and eating out of cheap, disposable plastic bowls, we dined on Lanzhou handpulled noodles (oxtail and brisket varieties), Xian-style lamb and pork sandwiches, Fujianese “smooth fish” (fish paste) soup, and fat Shandong boiled dumplings that were so yummy to the tummy, we got some to go. Though already full, I was craving the stinky tofu I had there years ago. So we wandered the streets searching for the pungent aroma, bought some silken tofu fa along the way, but only to find that the street stand I remembered was gone. Lucky for me, locals referred us to Flushing Mall a few blocks away, where the subterranean food court provided not only Taiwanese-style stinky tofu, but also oyster pancakes, green tea ice cream, boba milk tea, and custard-filled pancake balls. The 2.5 hour lunch experience was soul-satisfying and light on the wallet, especially compared to Melody’s upcoming dinner reservations at Momofuku Ko, Per Se, Babbo, and Jean Georges. Since I won’t be able to join her, I can only salivate thinking of her adventures ahead.