#cochala

I was determined to go on away rotations to learn more about surgery at other institutions, and just to test myself--can I survive at a new hospital? In a new city? Am I tough enough? After all the redundant TB tests, application forms, and application fees, I was almost going to throw my hands up in the air in frustration, but I got through it--and soon enough, it was finally time to go. Finally, time to do what I signed up for!

My first sub-internship was in New York City. I’m not revealing too much by saying that because of the huge abundance of hospitals there. But all that matters is that I ate ALL over New York. I am really proud that during my 4 weeks, I worked SO hard, but also made an enormous effort to see and eat as much of New York as I could. This started when I arrived there with my parents--we went to Chinatown and ate lunch at Big Wong’s in Chinatown. We got the cold boiled chicken drizzled with soy and served with a paste of scallion, garlic and ginger. We liked this even better than the roast duck on the right!

My mom has a weakness for Chinese baked goods--look at this selection at Taipan Bakery, which has milk tea and frozen treats in addition to sweet and savory buns.

My favorite was the custard pineapple bun--light and fluffy with a sweet, creamy interior!

My first cafeteria lunch was pizza, and I just had to share this delicious slice I had. I love pizzas with unconventional toppings, and this one had chicken, broccoli and halved cherry tomatoes. And in a hospital! Not tell you which one, though...

Later in my first week, I also had some beef chow fun I also ordered from Big Wong’s. It didn’t taste too differently from other beef chow fun I’ve had, but it was satisfying enough.

I ventured out into Washington Heights and tried some of the famous roast chicken at El Malecon. Note the enormous “side” of fried plantains. The real MVP of the dish, though, is the green sauce you see on the right. This stuff was watery and looks like lime juice--but it’s garlicky, spicy, and utterly addictive. I’d eat this on anything.

On my first weekend in New York, I took a day to travel to Riis Park, where the beaches are expansive and beautiful. There is also a ton of food at the Riis Park Beach Bazaar. 

One of my splurges was in the Cochala Burger at Cochala, which featured  ground short rib, brisket and beef hert basted in a roasted garlic thyme compound butter--how fancy is all that?! It also came topped with cheese and smoked Ilajua, which is a Bolivian herb salsa, as well as a healthy serving of fries. 

The bun was soft and yielded to a flavorful meat patty--almost too salty, but amazingly rich and beefy. I was expecting a mineral-iron taste from the beef heart, but I think all it contributed was a deeper beef flavor. I’d highly recommend this burger next time you find yourself looking for a hearty lunch to ruin your beach body.

At the end of my day of riding the subway, walking for miles along the beaches, I indulged in a sweet and tangy guava popsicle from La Newyorkina’s popsicle stand.