Hamroh Nepali Khanna [translation- Our Nepali Cuisine] : Bangkok, Thailand - Himalaya Restaurant

There is truly nothing like it in the world, that is our Nepali 'Khanna' [food]. I can proudly claim that it is globally renown and loved by not only us Gurkha-Nepalese but people from diverse countries appreciate our authentic cuisine. This is why I wanted to have a special feature on my Saby Eats food blog, which pays a special homage to our 'pyaro' [beloved] Nepali food not only in my home town Darjeeling but where ever I can relish it in other parts of the globe.

I start my Nepali 'Khanna' journey with Bangkok, Thailand which I visited very recently in March, 2018 and was looking forward to reviewing the ONLY authentic Nepali Restaurant there- Himalaya located in swanky Sukhumvit 31 area.

The Himalaya Nepali Restaurant, Bangkok looked identical to the pictures I had seen online on their official website which I thoroughly browsed prior to my trip. It instantly made me feel as if I had come to a local eatery in Thamel-Kathmandu in Nepal.

So my first impression of the restaurant was already positive and I was thrilled to be there. It was a late Sunday afternoon, my new Japanese friend Marie who I had invited for lunch, was my lovely date. We were on a food mission, me to try their special PRINCE HARRY CHICKEN CURRY and Marie who loves our momo [dumplings] was there to try some new Nepali dishes under my guidance.

We started off with drinks, I almost instinctively opted for the Darjeeling Masala Tea as I was really missing my daily home made tea which I had to skip while I was in Bangkok due to the crazy summer humidity! Marie went for the' kagati pani' [Lemon water], which she said was very refreshing.

Without wasting any time since we were both hungry as hippos, we ordered 'accharay' momo [ saucy momos] as starters which Marie had never eaten before, for mains we went for the Prince Harry Chicken Curry, some plain roti for me and plain jasmine rice for Marie. She loved the saucy momos and it made me happy because it was not too spicy but just right.

Don't be deceived by the portion of the chicken curry, it is served in a small bowl which we saw was very hollow so there is enough for two. It had a most peculiar but pleasant flavor as in my opinion it was not the traditional Nepali curry flavor which we normally get here, but was rather mild in terms of spices and may have had a hint of cinnamon infused flavor, but not bad at all.

We made it through the mains and I insisted we do the full course and ordered for dessert gulab jamun and ras mithai [sweet], two very similar yet distinct sweets, the former blackish in color and the other white.

Marie & I are both BIG eaters & foodies so we ended up ordering more roti as we had plenty of Prince Harry Chicken curry left and she also wanted to have a cup of Darjeeling Chai which she enjoyed so much that later that evening I gave her some Darjeeling tea which I had bought from home and even taught her and my hosts how to make the strong milk masala tea.

Overall, I just adored the Nepali-Tibetan ambience and also the hospitality and service of the young Burmese Nepalese girls who work there. The restaurant's owner, a Nepalese gentleman from Kathmandu was off that day being Sunday, but I left a note of appreciation with the girls about how happy and proud I was that there is such a lovely restaurant which promotes and celebrates our Nepali cuisine.

Yes you can also enjoy alfresco dining at Himalaya on a cool afternoon or evening. There is also a gorgeous mandir- temple shrine outside, by the entrance premise.

I would recommend Himalaya Restaurant & Guesthouse to not only Nepalese people BUT anyone who wants to try Nepali food in Bangkok. The food as well as the hospitality will make you want to come back again as I plan to do on my next visit to Bangkok city.

Words & pictures by: Sabina Saby Tamang aka sabyeatsnothertreats

For more on Himalaya you can find them on FB: https://www.facebook.com/HimalayaRestaurantBangkok/