Dragon Papa Dessert

Dragon Papa is operating as a pop-up presently. For Chinese Lunar New Year they have been at 729 Grant Ave. (Chinatown). The expert candy maker, Dragon Papa, was at his best, of course. I was in line close to the end of the day and took a risk as to whether or not I might get this treat before it was sold out. The gentleman worked diligently to hand make this wonderfully traditional candy. It was a joy to see him at work. I was warned that I was at the cutoff of the candy running out. They were right. But, I took my chances as I had come from 2.25 hours away with the family and had searched for them with no success since last having had their treat 2.5 years ago. Yet, I was surprised and most grateful that the distinguished gentleman was most kind in saving me one treat that he could beautifully make from what was available. I was touched. Of course, as I had at least tasted this before long ago, I decided to share this rare treat with my family members instead who had never tried it. I will be back again to try it myself. Thank you!

A must try!!! The first time I ever saw this candy being made was at the street food market in Seoul. The technique is quite entertaining, and the candy is unique and delicious. Impossibly thin threads of sugar are spun around a crumbly filling of crushed peanuts, sesame seeds, and coconut. It’s hard to describe, so you need to just try it for yourself! The end result looks like a cocoon. They currently have a pop up at the Ferry Building on Farmers Market Saturdays, through the end of March. I hope they extended the special run. Flavors offered today were original, matcha, strawberry, and coffee. You can’t go wrong with any of them!

Dragon Papa turns candy-making into a show You can to watching this in the window of the shop: all made by hand: dragon’s beard candy, ginger candy and warm mochi coated in seeds. Over 10 minutes, the chef stretch, twist and double a thick ring of malt syrup until it forms hundreds of thousands of silky white strands. Then they gingerly wrap hanks of the floss, which resembles cotton candy but lacks its jarring sweetness, around a mix of toasted peanuts, sesame seeds and coconut. Delicious!

This was a unique experience that you will not find commonly, as it is one of the only places in the U.S. to sell the interesting dish called dragons beard. It is hand pulled into long thin strands and ends up in a consistency similar to cotton candy. It is then wrapped around a nutty mixtures to create a delicious snack.

In Vietnam, we called this "keo chi". In Chinatown, these are dragon beard candies. The candies were made from thick cubes of sugar, got melted, pulled in strings, then folded over, pulled again for 100 times. The total strings are 1600/each. Then strings are filled with crunchy peanuts. Very delicious. The candy melted in my mouth mix with the crunchy of peanuts. It was also fun seeing they made the candies in front of my eyes too.

Not only is the candy delicious but the people (teens) working there were very knowledgeable and friendly. They take credit cards and package their desserts up nicely if you want to take them as a present. I really did not plan on going into a candy shop in Chinatown and walk out with 2 little candy packages for 20 bucks, but I'd do it again if I lived in so for sure!