I took Jake to college last week on a whirlwind trip to New York. We left on a 6am flight and I returned on the last flight of the evening. It was sunny and warm and a perfect day for settling into his dorm and doing some last minute shopping.

Since Jake had to be at a 4pm meeting for his service project program, I arranged to meet with my fabulous agent, Carrie, and my brother. It was perfect timing because I’m in the middle of massive revisions for my latest project (I promise it will be just as juicy as Good Chinese Wife, if not more!), so we were able to talk about it in person!

I’d been wanting to try Hey Hey Canteen in Brooklyn ever since I’d learned about it. It’s an homage to Hong Kong canteens (like a college dining hall–my first foray into Hong Kong food!), so you know I was game.

We ordered as much as three people can eat, starting with these vegetable dumplings.

And this market vegetable salad. It was pretty hot outside even in the early evening, so this salad was very refreshing.

As were these cold sesame peanut noodles. I could have eaten the whole bowl on my own. I love the double happiness bowl!

We also had their famous fried chicken sandwich, which has its own space on the menu. I regret I didn’t get a good shot of the chicken, which has a ramen crust!

Eggplant fries! I’m not usually into french fries, but I’ll never pass up eggplant.

To wash it all down, we ordered their unique homemade teas. Carrie ordered the hibiscus chai and my brother and I the tumeric-ginger-cayenne tea (pictured below).

I met the owner, Kay, when I was at her previous restaurant in the same space. It was great catching up and seeing her new place. Hey Hey Canteen also serves homemade desserts and noodle soups, but we were too full for the first and thought it would be difficult to share the second.

My other regret–huge–was that I didn’t take any people photos. That was such a key part of the evening, so I don’t know what I was thinking.

Something to look forward to on my next trip!

Hey Hey Canteen is located on the border of Park Slope and Gowanus in Brooklyn. 400 4th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, heyheycanteen.com. They’re open Tuesday-Sunday, noon to 10pm.