Sweet HandKraft in Metairie is a one-stop shop for Asian sweets and snacks
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Tanghulu is a Chinese treat consisting of fresh fruit skewers encased in rock sugar. Photo: Carlie Kollath Wells/Axios
The Instagram algorithm sent me to Sweet HandKraft in Metairie last weekend.
The big picture: I was watching a how-to video about fruit tanghulu — a Chinese treat consisting of fresh fruit skewers encased in rock sugar — when Sweet HandKraft's post about its strawberry tanghulu special popped up.
- I hadn't been to the shop's expanded location on Severn Avenue yet, and the universe was telling me to change that.
What I ordered: Strawberry tanghulu ($5) and pandan crème brûlée ($4).
- The tanghulu was fun to eat. It was extra crunchy and sweet on the outside before getting to the ripe, mildly tart strawberry.
- The Vietnamese-flavored pandan crème brûlée was the real star. The shop torches it to order, so the top is warm while the green custard is chilled.
- My dining buddy and I liked the crème brûlée so much we ordered two to go.
Yes, but: We should have saved room for snacks.
- Sweet HandKraft makes Japanese-style sandos, Korean corn dogs and Taiwanese popcorn chicken.
- Owner Loc Nguyen, who was working the counter, said his favorite is the tamago egg sando with spicy mayo.
- He also makes sweet sandos with Nutella and pandan fillings.
If you go: Sweet HandKraft is in the renovated Shops on Seventeenth near Lakeside Shopping Center.
- The ice cream and extravagant coffee options were also popular the day I went.
Fun fact: My doctor's office was in the shop's space years ago, and it was fun to see how much it has changed.
