Crunch & Chill, a new shop with crunchy, fruity treats, is one of the newest additions to El Paso’s growing array of Asian street snacks.
The shop opened two months ago and is introducing Tanghulu, traditional Chinese snacks, and ribbon ice cream to the West Side. The shop is tucked inside the Substation, El Paso’s unique retail development in El Paso’s Upper Valley, at 145 E. Sunset Road.
Tanghulu, or bingtang hulu, is fruit on a skewer that is typically coated with a heated sugar syrup and then left to harden in the cold. The fruit, in this case, grapes and mandarin oranges, has a glossy shine to it and is fun to bite in to as the sugar cracks and provides some extra and pleasant sweetness to the fruit.
On weekends, they have the Tanghulu strawberries.
We also tried the shaved snow, which is thinly shaved ribbons of Taiwanese ice cream ($6.95), served with delicious toppings. Among the flavors are Matcha, strawberry, chocolate and Dr. Pepper. We tried the Express Yourself coffee flavor, which was a fun way to have a cold, coffee-tasting treat, topped with some mocha dust chocolate espresso beans and a cookie.
The Taiwanese ice cream is pretty to look at and very light to eat. It was a nice surprise considering it’s a pretty big serving, in comparison to traditional cream filled ice cream.
Hours: Thursday: noon to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday: 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday: 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday–Tuesday: closed.
Here is a guide to other Asian street food and snacks in El Paso.
Miniso coming to Bassett Place
Miniso, a Chinese retailer known for household goods, toys, kitchenware and snacks, is expected to open in November at Bassett Place.
The store will be in between Marshall’s and Ross.
Among the snacks that El Pasoans will be able to find at Miniso include Pocky biscuit sticks, seaweed snacks, chocolate covered almonds and beverages.
Min Ho Korean Dogs and Boba opens fourth location
Min Ho Korean Dogs and Boba inside Cielo Vista Mall is a successful immigrant story that started with a food truck at Fox Plaza. Guillermo Muñoz Calanche said the snack shop is owned by himself and his parents and has gone from a food truck to having four locations in El Paso.
The business offers various Korean dogs such as ones with a Cheetos coating, and Boba teas, as well as ice cream and crepes.
The other locations are 9574 Dyer St., the Shoppes at Solana on the Westside and at Bassett Place.
Better Sweet brings Japanese mochi donuts to Cielo Vista Mall
Better Sweet brings a new sweet shop to Cielo Vista Mall. The shop, was opened by a couple, and is an opportunity for shoppers to try Japanese mochi donuts.
Naomi Lei, who is half-Japanese, said their shop was inspired by their travels to Japan.
The donuts are made in flavors that appeal to the mainstream including cookies and cream, strawberry and cinnamon sugar.
The pearl necklace shaped donuts are sweet but not too sweet and have a crunchy exterior with a chewy inside; a great addition to the treat options at the mall. The donuts are under $3 each.
Sol-K Dogs opens in Downtown El Paso
Sol K-dogs, a restaurant focusing on Korean food including kimbap, has opened a new location in Downtown El Paso. The first restaurant, at 8829 North Loop Drive, Suite D-401, has been serving Korean rice dogs, boba tea and ramen bowls for about two years.
The new restaurant, at 800 S. El Paso St. is run through a window pick up service; so there are no indoor seats.
The menu includes original k-dogs, potato k-dogs, spicy k-dogs, and milk boba teas, and tropical home drinks both with a variety of flavors.
Lemon Beaters offers Korean rice dogs and lemonade
Lemon Beaters, in the parking lot at 1120 McRae Blvd., offers Korean dogs and fresh lemonade.
People drive up in their cars to order their favorite Korean dog and/or fresh lemonade. The stand offers a variety of flavors that can be mixed into the lemonade, such as strawberry, cucumber, mango, mango tajin, and peach. The lemonade with piña colada was extra tart and maintained its flavor throughout our drive. For a sweeter drink, try adding strawberry and or cherry. Drinks run about $4 plus tax.
Three Daiso stores opened in 2024
Three Daiso stores opened in 2024 and are thriving, offering everything from housewares, cosmetics, gardening items, and popular Asian snacks.
The store locations are at: 11917 Gateway Blvd W, Ste D, 9484 Dyer St., and 7410 Remcon Circle, Ste A.
Daiso store hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday.
María Cortés González may be reached at 915-546-6150; mcortes@elpasotimes.com; @eptmaria.bsky.social on Bluesky, and @eptmariacg on TikTok.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Check out guide to Asian street snacks in El Paso, from Korean rice dogs to Tanghulu
Reporting by Maria Cortes Gonzalez, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
