Li Hing Mui and Crack Seed

[Simsters]

We are visiting San Francisco and Napa Valley for about 4-5 days. I am looking for Li Hing Mui powder and a good crack seed store (chinese preserved fruits). We are staying by the Airport and will have a car. Anyone know where I can find these?

[dordogne]

I've been overdosing on sodium from preserved plums since I was a child, but never before heard of Li Hing Mui powder. Now my mouth is watering--what do you do with it?

[ZeusLA]

Not sure of all of the other truly asian uses, but one of my favorite hawaiian uses, is over shave ice as a powder or syrup. It makes me realize that we could make our own syrup and use it on EVERYTHING!

SLURP!

[jsa056]

It's a staple for many in Hawaii.

Besides the uses already mentioned (Popcorn/kettle corn, shave ice) -

Slice up some fresh fruit and sprinkle some on top. My favorites are pineapple and apples.
Put it on Gummi Bears (Or anything other gummies you may have around. Sour patch kids w/ li hing is delicious)
Dried fruit works well (Someone mentioned mango already, but almost anything works)

Some of the more crazy and delicious things I've seen/eaten in Hawaii -

Li hing cupcakes
Li hing soda
Li hing FOIE GRAS (so so good btw.)

[RWCFoodie]

Love it on fresh fruit - mango, papaya... Am having a hard time wrapping my mind around Li hing foie gras!

[theSauce]

You can use it in certain Chinese stews to add a hint of sweetness and as other posters have mentioned mostly on sour fruits to cut the sourness. I personally like to add it to kettle corn to give it an more pronounced saltiness and sweetness. It's the most addicting thing ever for me.

[Windy]

It's both wonderful and awful at the same time. The first time I was in Hawaii we bought some dried mango to snack on and accidentally bought li hing mango. We hated it but couldn't stop eating it.

[Simsters]

Thanks to all who responded. I will check them out.

It turns out I am not staying near the airport anymore. Hubby has booked us in at the Best Western in Napa. So, any place in Napa that might carry Li Hing Mui powder or good crack seed stores?

[RWCFoodie]

As you're staying near the airport (I'm assuming SFO) I'd try Takahashi in San Mateo. They carry all kinds of Hawaiian goods and I'm sure you'll find your li hing mui powder there. While they don't have crack seed in bulk, they do have a pretty good selection of packaged ones.

http://www.takahashimarket.com/

-----
Takahashi Market
221 S Claremont St, San Mateo, CA 94401

[theSauce]

You will find Ling Hing Mui powder at 99 Ranch. It is typically located next to the Mexican spices aisle. It is imported from Taiwan and comes in a very small packet and they're about $1.29 for a small bag. BTW, Ling Hing Mui powder added to kettle corn is sooooo good.

-----
99 Ranch
4299 Rosewood Dr, Pleasanton, CA 94588

[shanghaikid]

Wonderful food, 2035 irving st. (415)-731-6889 has some chinese fruits in bulk. mandarin speakers
sweetheart cafe, 909 grant ave, [phone] might have fruits, oaktown has them

li hing mui powder may be found in hawaiian/japanese stores
Uoki K. sakai, 1656 post st, [phone] popped up as a reference.

[Windy]

There's a Hawaiian store at (Aloha Warehouse?) in Japantown that sells Li Hing Mango. Several of the groceries on Post st sell Hawaiian foods.

[Cynsa]

At New May Wah at 707-719 Clement Street@ 8th Avenue, San Francisco (near the back of the store in the Spice section)

-----
New May Wah
719 Clement St, San Francisco, CA

[Simsters]

Thanks for the photo. It helped! We did find it at New May Wah.

-----
New May Wah
719 Clement St, San Francisco, CA