As an unabashed Malaysian evangelist, I showed up early for yesterday's one-day Malaysian Noodle Festival. Seven Malaysian or otherwise Southeast Asian restaurants from New York (and one from New Haven) each served a noodle dish or two from their colorful tents. (Oppressively muggy heat, the threat of rain, and crowds squeezing around outdoor tables helped it feel about as close to Kuala Lumpur as the Meatpacking District could get. All we needed was a Tiger.) More

Who doesn't love the delicate, sweet crunch of a lightly caramelized surface? There's nothing like the satisfying tap of spoon on sugar before you make your way into a deep bowl of custard and pudding. A sprinkle of sugar, a light torch or a trip in the broiler; that simple touch makes all the difference. More

From a caramelized tapioca topped in sweet basil seeds, to a banana pudding with a fat tempura-fried banana as the crowning touch, our city has no shortage of excellent puddings. There's a chocolate chip-studded number from Sugar Sweet Sunshine (in addition to their classic banana pudding, of course!); a bagel pudding from Russ & Daughters; and an al dente housemade rice pudding. More

At Spice Market, keep your eye out for the Warm Rice Pudding ($7), a new and worthy addition to the dessert menu. More