It’s difficult to say I miss the feeling of home when I live in New York City due to the abundance of diversity it offers. Having my family nearby and being able to just hop on a bus whenever I’m craving the delicious street food of Bangladesh is an extremely comforting feeling. While I don’t necessarily love the hustle and bustle of Jamaica and 169 street, I’m able to swallow down my annoyance with the amazing fuchka at Tong, an authentic Bengali street food cart! Just past the first bus stop on 169 street, this small food cart holds various wonders within its steely shelves as people line up in the excruciating summer heat for a taste of jhaal muri. Originally established in Jackson Heights, the creator of the tong food cart chose to expand to other locations in NYC, primarily in areas with high Bengali populations. His strategy was immensely successful as each day, hundreds of residents stop by the inconspicuous little cart and relish in the taste of home. It’s a comfort that’s unlike anything I’ve personally experienced since coming here and it’s even more special as I often get to bring my friends and see them fall in love with the food I grew up with. My mother loves taking me down to 169 street whenever she begins to miss home and while I complain the entire time on the Q1 bus, all the annoyances dissipate when the first taste of fuchka lands on my tongue. The crispiness of the round flatbread and the burst of flavor from the tok (sour sauce) and mixed potatoes, chickpeas, and onions is something every New Yorker needs to try! It’s a wonderful way to introduce yourself to foods from an amazing culture and find a new favorite snack spot after a long day at work. The cart is conveniently placed close to the subway and bus stop, so grab your metro card and head out to the streets of Jamaica to get a taste of true Bengali cuisine!
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