Veronica Gan had a hard time finding the colorful, bite-sized Southeast Asian desserts known kuih in New York City—so she started making them at home, giving them to friends as treats. She perfected her recipes through trial and error, and eventually she and her husband opened a tiny shop on the Lower East Side. Kuih Cafe is open Friday through Sunday serving a rotating menu of kuih, all of which are worth a weekend pitstop. The variety with subtly floral rose custard might be our favorite, although if you don't get a slice of caramelized durian cheesecake while you're here, you'll be making a grave mistake. The cheesecake is fluffy and tangy, and the durian perfectly compliments the cheesy flavor, accentuating it like a neon highlighter. It's a top-tier New York City dessert.

photo credit: Emily Schindler