The Gangtok Kitchen : A conglomeration of Nepalese, Thai and Chinese delicacies
We the people of Kolkata , quite often than not look for places serving cuisines that are little unknown to our palates that might surprise us with its unexplored flavours. Although we are well aware of Chinese and some bit of Thai cuisine but Nepalese is something which has a bounded definition for us.
Nepalese cuisine is not only about momos and thukpas. There are a lot of dishes that is still unexplored hence unappreciated. I have been to Sikkim quite a few times and have only restricted myself to momos, kotheys and thukpas. But here in Gangtok Kitchen I was amused to try out other delicacies which have surprised me with their rustic flavours that left me crave for more.
Where is it? Located on the first floor of Sikkim house , just a 5 minutes walk from Maidan metro towards Vardhan market/ Camac Street.
How is the vibe? This Gangtok themed restaurant is dressed with beautiful paintings of various popular tourist destinations of Sikkim, dimly lit that can accommodate 45-50 people at a time.
What new did I try? Pork Choila, Choila is a traditional dish in Nepal that can be made with any kind of meat , chicken, duck, beef or pork usually spicy and mostly served with rice. Here it was presented on skewers. Pork belly and pork meat marinated in a spicy paste made of ginger, garlic chillies and other spices and cooked thoroughly. It was spicy and delicious.
Chicken Sadeko, a traditional Nepalese salad cooked with boneless sliced chicken and veggies. I did find it little spicy as well but it was tasty.
Pork Shyapta , It is a Tibetan delicacy made with stir fried pork tossed with ginger herb and fresh red chili. The presence of chilies is very prominent in most of their dishes.
Bakthuk , another Tibetan delicacy which mainly consist of hand rolled noodles that mostly resemble in their shape, Italian Gnocchi ( shell shaped). This is typically a soup that contains this noodles along with meat/ veggies.
Jhol momo, momos that have a soupy base which is made our of masalas, onions and chillies. This is one of their signature dishes and is a must try.
Kewa datshi, It is a famous dish from the Bhutanese cuisine where kewa means potato and datshi means cheese. So basically it is a vegetarian cheese stew with potato in it. I found it very delicious may be because of the presence of cheese in it.
Apart from all these you will also get popular dishes like pork/ chicken / veg monos ,suimai ( open momos ) , kothey ( a typical momo where the bottom is fried while the top is left as it is after being steamed ) , Pork / chicken baos ( meat or vegetable stuffed steamed buns ) , Tingmo or Tmomo which is typically a steamed buns that does mot contain any filling, Tai Pao ( a big sized steamed bun stuffed with multiple meat options ), sphaley ( bread stuffed with meat and cabbage usually deep fried ), wonton soup ( a broth made with filled wontons )
Do drop in and savour the deliciousness of those unique...
Read moreNestled in the heart of the city, The Gangtok Kitchen is a hidden gem that offers an exquisite culinary journey through the flavors of Tibet and the Northeastern region of India. As an avid food lover, I recently had the pleasure of dining at this remarkable establishment, and I must say that my experience left me craving for more.
Upon entering the restaurant, I was immediately struck by the warm and inviting ambiance. The décor showcased a fusion of traditional and modern elements, creating a cozy atmosphere that perfectly complemented the menu's promise of authentic Tibetan and Northeastern cuisine. The attentive staff greeted me with a smile and guided me to my table, setting the tone for what turned out to be an extraordinary gastronomic adventure.
Eager to explore the rich flavors of the region, I decided to start my meal with the Pork Choila, a traditional Newari dish known for its bold and robust flavors. As soon as the plate arrived, I was captivated by the enticing aroma. The succulent pieces of marinated pork were tender and infused with a harmonious blend of spices. Each bite offered a burst of flavors that danced on my palate, leaving a delightful smoky aftertaste.The plate was gorgeously garnished with salads.
Next on my culinary journey were the Jhol Momos, a dish that has gained popularity for its delicate dumplings bathed in a flavorsome broth. I was really skeptical about it. As soon as the steaming bowl of momos was placed in front of me, I could not help but admire the vibrant colors and enticing aromas. The momos were impeccably crafted, with thin wrappers enveloping a generous filling of minced pork and leek. The moment I took a bite, I was greeted by a burst of flavors that harmonized perfectly with the fragrant broth. The combination of tender dumplings and the aromatic broth was nothing short of heavenly, leaving me longing for more with every spoonful. It is safe to say this place has the best momos in the entire city.
In conclusion, The Gangtok Kitchen is a culinary haven for those seeking a genuine taste of Tibetan and Northeastern cuisine. In addition to the outstanding food, the service at The Gangtok Kitchen was exceptional.The staff was knowledgeable and eager to assist. I cannot recommend The Gangtok Kitchen enough and eagerly await my next visit to indulge in the delightful creations that this extraordinary establishment...
Read moreFor the people of Kolkata who often want to try out places serving cuisines that are little unknown to their palates, TGK might be the place you are looking for. And Nepalese cuisine is something you need to look out for. Nepalese cuisine is not only about momos and thukpas. There are a lot of dishes that is still unexplored hence unappreciated. I have been to Sikkim and only restricted myself to momos, kotheys and thukpas. But here in Gangtok Kitchen I was amused to try out other delicacies which have surprised me with their rustic flavours that left me crave for more. My order: ❗Steamed Momos (We didn't wait to click this) 5/5 ❗Jhol Momos 4/5 ❗Kewa Datshi 4/5 ❗ Chicken Pad Thai Noodles ❗Gangtok Style Hakka Noodles 4/5 ❗Vegetable Laphing 2/5 Jhol momo, momos that have a soupy base which is made our of masalas, onions and chillies. This is one of their signature dishes and is a must try. Ema datshi, It is a famous dish from the Bhutanese cuisine where kewa means potato and datshi means cheese. So basically it is a vegetarian cheese stew with potato in it. Must try. I tried their Laphing with Wai Wai, but it didn't please me. The streets of Delhi are being missed again.
Pocket Pinch: ₹2000 for 5
Personal Note: Do experiment! I would have loved ordering more but we were so full. But don't try out the main stream Chinese food, and experiment your taste buds in places like these. The Nepali Thakali is something you should...
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