Cheap Eats

Tamale Lunch at Sunrise Mart

Photo: Konstantin Sergeyev

The steam case has returned to the hot-food counter at Sunrise Mart on Broome Street, but unfortunately, this fall won’t bring steamed pork buns or our favorite from last year, a soft white bun filled with creamy chunks of fresh pumpkin. Instead, the Japanese market has continued its Latin streak (at lunch, you can find Cuban sandwiches and sometimes tacos) and introduced tamales with an Asian accent; fillings include chile shrimp, veggie curry, tomato and jalapeño, and chicken teriyaki. The pulled chicken in ours was quite dry, but the sweetened meat was a fine contrast to its soft cornmeal case. Not a bad seasonal snack for $3.49, but we’ll miss our pumpkin buns.

Tamale Lunch at Sunrise Mart