Last night it was back to Elmhurst. The food scenery there is hard to beat. We loaded up on fermented tea leaves and crunch for lahpet thoke, watched an amazing street al pastor activity, scouted for sambals at a local grocery.
A few weeks ago, we came here specifically for a restaurant from our list only to hit a “renovation” sign on the locked door. Not the ones to give up, when the phone was answered we came back — it’s only a bus and a subway ride from us.
The food at Tibetan Nangma is worth the trip. Himalayan cuisine with its Chinese, Indian, Mongolian, and Nepalese notes was new to us, interesting, and turned out to be delicious.
My only complaint is that I wish we could eat more or bring more people with us.
Taught by previous experiences at genuinely authentic ethnic places we put our palates in hands of our server and followed his suggestions. No regrets.
Lhasa, long yellow chewy noodles came with pork belly, coated with chili sauce that delivered long slow continuous burn from within.
Tibetan fried beef curry was prepared with laphing made of mung beans and shaped in jelly like cubes.
Tingmo, a steamed bun with a soft fluffy texture and flaking layers, was perfect for soaking up the juices of the curry and wiping the plate after noodles.
Steamed momos had a nice celery flavor and went really well with flavorful cayenne sauce served on the side.
Stir fired pea shoots — I always need something green — were crunchy and garlicky.
We came to the restaurant during the off peak time. As Tom noted — old folks eat early. Have we become Morty and Helen?
— Four-thirty? Who eats dinner at four-thirty?
— By the time we sit down, it’ll be quarter to five.
Anyway, by being early, not only we got the best food out of the kitchen but we got a great persona tour of the beautiful place and the culture so new to us.
