Dragon's Beard Candy, Online or in Phila. Area?

July 6, 2016 1:01 PM

Pretty simple: I'd like to buy dragon's beard candy (aka dragon's hair/whiskers), a pan-Asian delight that's sort of like cotton candy, only more delicious than cloying. I've only found one eBay seller offering it. Is there any place online and/or in the greater Philadelphia area where I can find it? I've searched literally a dozen Korean and Chinese supermarkets, and NO DICE.
posted by julthumbscrew to Food & Drink (6 answers total)

Amazon? Comes in a few different flavors.

(Though nothing beats freshly made street stall style...)
posted by tipsyBumblebee at 1:20 PM on July 6, 2016

Would you be willing to order online? If so, is this it here? Also, this product says that it's similar to Dragon's Beard, but apparently a little bit different.
posted by SpacemanStix at 1:20 PM on July 6, 2016

If you're willing to try the Indian version of this it's called soan papdi and you'll almost certainly find it in your local Indian store. I recommend Haldirams brand. It will be a bit more tightly packed than what you'd find on the streets though.
posted by peacheater at 2:02 PM on July 6, 2016

I've never seen it in a supermarket, it seems more of a specialty thing like "we make it here." The one place I've been to, it's handmade and doesn't keep well as it absorbs water from the air and becomes less beardy; it would be a small challenge to ship.

There's a shop in SF Chinatown called Dragon Papa that makes it. Maybe if you called them with a big enough order, they'd help you out.
posted by zippy at 2:53 PM on July 6, 2016

Have you checked all the markets in Chinatown, on Washington Ave, and in Olney/Cheltenham? You might also want to check Northeast Philly. Just offering suggestions in case not.
posted by bearette at 6:12 PM on July 6, 2016

They have it (or had, it's been awhile) at the Asian Supermarket on Washington Ave near 11th.
posted by james33 at 4:44 AM on July 7, 2016