Ginger Garlic Nepalese Cuisine — Restaurant in Regina

Last night, my friend and I decided to try out Ginger Garlic Nepalese Restaurant for dinner, and it was an interesting experience, to say the least.We started off with the momos, which were definitely the highlight of the meal. The momos were fresh, flavorful, and had the perfect balance of spices and fillings. They had a nice texture and the dipping sauce that accompanied them was tangy and enhanced the taste beautifully. If you’re a fan of momos, this is a must-try here.When it came to the main course, things took a slight downturn. We ordered a couple of dishes, and unfortunately, they didn’t live up to expectations. The garlic naan was quite underwhelming. There was a noticeable lack of garlic flavor, and the naan itself was a bit too thick and doughy. It didn’t have that light, crispy texture that you would expect from a good naan, making it feel rather heavy and flavorless.The curry dishes were also disappointing. While the flavors weren’t bad, they lacked the depth and richness that we anticipated from a Nepalese restaurant. The spices seemed muted, and the dishes felt a little bland overall. It was as if the chef wasn’t using the freshest ingredients, or the seasoning wasn’t up to par. Given that this is a Nepalese restaurant, I was expecting something bolder and more aromatic.

Drinks: We also tried the smoothie, which was a bit of a surprise. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn't spectacular either. It had a creamy texture which might be an acquired taste. I wouldn’t rush to order it again, but if you're adventurous and looking for something a little different, it might be worth trying.

Service: The service was another area that could use a lot of improvement. To start, the water was served from a jug that looked like it hadn’t been washed properly — it had a slightly cloudy, grimy appearance, which was off-putting. The server didn’t seem particularly interested in checking in on us after the food was served. Throughout the meal, we had to flag them down for refills or to ask about something. It felt like they were more focused on their phones than actually engaging with customers. This lack of attention really took away from the overall dining experience.

Ambiance: The ambiance was another downside to our visit. The restaurant had no music, which made it feel quiet and rather lifeless. Instead of a warm, inviting atmosphere, the sound of the kitchen staff shouting orders and clanging pots filled the space. It didn’t feel like a relaxing dinner spot, and the noise from the kitchen only added to the sense that the place was lacking in energy. It felt almost like eating in a cafeteria, rather than a restaurant that’s meant to offer a comfortable and pleasant dining experience.

While the momos were fantastic and worth recommending, the rest of the dining experience at Ginger Garlic Nepalese Restaurant was disappointing. The main courses didn’t live up to the flavors we were expecting, the service was inattentive and sloppy, and the ambiance felt lifeless. Given the price and the competition in the area, I’m not sure if I would return anytime soon unless they make some serious improvements. For those craving momos, though, it could still be worth a visit. But if you're looking for a complete, enjoyable dining experience, there are definitely better...

We arrived around 5 pm and there were plenty of available seats, although the parking lot was fairly small. We checked the menu through Google review photos prior to coming (their website didn't have menu photos). The photos seemed up to date with what is on the menu.

While it was my first time dining in, it was my partners second time. She stated that the interior had a bit of a decor overhaul, which I thought looked quite nice from how she described it looked previously.

We decided to order a Samosa (order comes with 2 pieces), Coconut Curry, Chicken Manchurian, Black Daal, Plain Rice, and Garlic Naan. I asked what their spices option was and they said they can make any dish spicier, so we ordered the Manchurian spicy.

While waiting for the meal, the waiter brought us Aloo Pakoras (4 piece) with sauce free of charge. Shortly after, the Samosas came out with the same sauce. They were both very good and still very hot.

We noticed while we were waiting for the main course that many people get takeout and that the staff were always working on something to do. The owner was also there and was very hands on and friendly.

The main courses came, and they were big. With the 4 plates, Naan basket, plus our own plates, it left little room on the table for 2 more guests (I'm guessing a booth would be a better option, especially when ordering multiple dishes).

We both tried a bit of each dish and had about a plate and a half each. Afterwards we were very full with plenty of leftovers. With most of the leftovers being the Curry, Daal, and Manchurian, I would have been tempted to order a second serving of rice to go.

When we were finished our waiter brought us to go containers for us to fill along with a paper bag for transport. We filled the dishes and he loaded the bag, and we went to the till to pay. He offered us fennel seeds which have a strong licorice flavour.

Overall the dine in was very pleasant, the service was excellent, and the food was very good. I'd love to try more of the spicey dishes in the future and I look forward...

Good Food, Bad Service

Visiting Regina and this place was on my must-try list while in town.

Food

Vegetable Samosa

Two per order Flavourful filling, pleasant curry notes Tamarind chutney consistency just right - not too runny, not too think pastry was flaky, nice level of crispiness, not oily Served hot out of the fryer

Coconut Chicken Curry

Flavour profile korma adjacent with the addition of a tiny bit of heat Taste was pleasant but the heat level was too mild for my liking; a little more heat and I imagine the curry would have been just right

Steamed Rice

Just plain rice, fine, unremarkable

Garlic Naan

Three pieces The taste of garlic wasn't pronounced; I would have preferred the garlic to be more prominent but not a deal-breaker Equal parts soft, crispy, charred, delicious

Service

Service ended after we recieved our meal. Neither of the two staff visible on the floor checked back to ask how we were doing, if the food was to our liking, etc. Both were face and eyes into their phones the whole time. The only time I got service was at the end of our meal when I got one of the staff's attention. I like to be on my phone as much as the next person; however, it's not the best look when you're on the clock and not doing your job.

Summary

It's too bad that the service at this place is lacking but otherwise the place is serving up some tasty food based on the things I tried. If ever in town again, I'd give this place another try but take out...