Kunga Restaurant — Restaurant in West Bengal

Not a promotional post... Kunga is the most authentic Tibetan Restaurant you'd find in Darjeeling. We stayed at Dekeling Hotel and these two restaurants ( Kunga & Dekevas ) are located just below this hotel. We went to Darjeeling for 5 days so everyday we had our lunch from Kunga except one day, because that day we had very tight breakfast from Keventers. Also I made a list from home about when, where and what to eat, so I didn't have to choose from the menu...😌😉

First day we reached our hotel at around 12.30pm, got freshen up and went there to have lunch at around 2.30pm...so we had to wait for 40-45 minutes at the queue, but it was worth waiting at the queue...This place starts getting crowded from 1pm, so try to reach there within 12-12.30pm...

It's a Tibetan Restaurant and not a Chinese Restaurant. So if your idea is similar to Bengali Style Chinese Cuisine, you might be disappointed... This family run restaurant is over 2 decades old and specializes in Tibetan dishes and serves great Chinese food as well.

We tried - Chicken Momo (Steam) 5/5 Mixed Fried Rice (Without Beef) 5/5 Sweet and Sour Chicken 4/5 Chicken Hot and Sour Soup 5/5 Chicken Ping with Mushroom (Dry) 5/5 Chilli Pork (Dry) 5/5 Chicken Chowmien 5/5 Chicken Chilli 4/5 Pork Momo (Steam) 5/5 Fresh Lime Soda 3/5

The food in itself is out of this world, the best Tibetan Cuisine anyone can offer... If you want to eat momo here, keep the plate under your mouth. Of course. Why? ☺️ Because Momo's heavy stuffing is in a thick delirium, neither the juice nor the watery part can come out. So if you take a bite, they will go to your tongue and make you mesmerized. The mixture of fat and meat is so beautiful that I realized I had to come here again, especially to eat momo...best momos I've ever had... 🤤 Phing is there special handmade glass noodles. Its a very soft, slippery and transparent noodles... Must try dish. Do not order too much, because their portions are very big.

💸Pocket Pinch - ₹400-500 for two approx 🔔Important tips - Whenever you're going there don't forget to carry cash with you because this place doesn't accept any credit or Debit card...

Overall I can say the quantity and taste of every dish is above expectations.... 😍

Highly recommended from my end ❤️

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Many people whose opinion I respect had recommended this place. On my second visit I had ordered a take away from this place and I really struggled to eat even a few spoonfuls. Even my cousin who generally eats anything on his plate, called the food insipid. However I realised there might have been something gone amiss. So was eager to give this place one more try. Last visit it didn't happen and yet this time I did. I realised ordering the usual chilly chicken and fried rice won't cut it, as their preparation style is very different to what we at Calcutta are accustomed to, so ordered mixed noodles. Which is not what I generally eat in Calcutta It was a very thick noodles and the beef pork and chicken were all very chunky even the egg stood out. We also ordered chilly chicken, not sure why. And my sister ordered phing or glass noodles. While they didn't like it, I found it quite nice, other than the very chewy texture of the glass noodles. The highlight was the steamed momos and even the fried momo was not that bad. We paid ₹1440 For mixed noodles. Two plates of momo (steamed and fried) phing, chilli chicken and 4 coke They have very limited seating and it seemed to be very famous as there were queues. I am told to try Shangri-La which has been recently renovated. However coming back to this joint, I think it will be worth your time to explore the menu a bit and figure out what are the dishes that suit your palate. This is very Tibetan style chinese food, I added the Chinese to give the uninitiated a context. And coming back to Calcutta Chinese it's almost nothing like what one is expected to encounter on mainland Chinese food joints, yet we gladly to pass it off as that, more because of our ignorance than convenience. And I learnt it the hard way, when I had the audacity to tell true blue Hang dynasty restaurant owner that their food was not "authentic" Chinese food. What I wanted to say was it wasn't like what we were used to being served in Calcutta. I got away because I was still a kid and the person must be a follower...

Legendary Chinese Cuisine Worth the Wait !!

Kunga Darjeeling is nothing short of legendary when it comes to authentic Chinese cuisine in the heart of Darjeeling. This iconic establishment, one of the oldest in town and founded by a Tibetan family, has earned its fame not only through its mouth-watering dishes but also for the unique dining experience it offers.

We visited with our family and were met with a long queue that stretched out the door. Despite closing at 6 PM, the waiting line was a testament to its popularity. We ended up waiting for a whopping 2.5 hours, but every minute spent in line was well worth it. The anticipation built as we noticed the unique ordering process: diners are required to write their orders on paper while waiting. This adds a personal touch to the experience and builds excitement as you look forward to finally being seated in the small, always busy dining area.

Once seated, we began our culinary journey with a refreshing glass of Honey Lime Tea, which perfectly whetted our appetite. The meal that followed was nothing short of spectacular. We indulged in:

Chicken Spring Roll: Crisp, savory, and impeccably seasoned. Fork Chilly: A delightful blend of spices that showcased the restaurant’s authentic flavors. Mixed Phing (Glass Noodles) Dry: A well-executed dish that balanced textures and taste. Pork Momos: A must-try for pork lovers, with generous portions that require ordering wisely. The portions here are notably large, making it ideal for sharing or for those with hearty appetites. Despite the extended waiting period and the small seating capacity, the value for money is undeniable. Every dish we tried was bursting with authentic flavors, and the overall experience truly encapsulated what makes Kunga Darjeeling a culinary landmark.

In summary, if you’re a fan of authentic Chinese cuisine and don’t mind a bit of a wait, Kunga Darjeeling is a must-visit destination. I’ll certainly be returning for another round of their...