Cafe Himalaya — Restaurant in New York

In a world where we are now wearing ski goggles that operate as a computer-iphone hybrid to stack on to our reality, it's always refreshing to go to a restaurant where the host is frantically writing down names with a bic pen into a small notepad. The current tech boom kind of lost me at the apple watch, as I found it way too overwhelming to get texts to my wrist ahahaha.

I pulled up to Cafe Himalaya fresh out of the steam room hungrier than a 2008 Kobe Bryant, willing to do anything to prove he doesn't need Shaq to win a ring. On a Friday night at primetime, I was told by a short Tibetan looking host/waiter/food runner/busboy hybrid it was a 15-20 minute wait. He was doing it ALL in there shoutout to my boy.

I couldn't help but smile when we sat down, as time seemingly hasn't changed this place. I've never been to the Tibetan region of the world, but I can only imagine this is what it would feel like. The dining area of Cafe Himalaya is one 700 sf room (ballpark) that consists of about 20 war torn two tops, a handwritten chalkboard of popular menu items, old pictures of the region littering the walls, and a smell that just feels like you have teleported out of nyc and straight to the Himalayas... not that I've been to the Himalayas but.... a man could dream can't he?

We put in Ruthang Momo soup, Chasha Momo, Sha Momo, Chicken Curry, and the Shapta.

Everyone kept saying momo this momo that, but momo is just a Tibetan dumpling so don't be intimidated. People just love to sound sophisticated and cultured like that smh… BUT THE MOMO WAS ABSOLUTE HEAT OH MY GOODNESS.

I'm still dreaming about the momo soup, which at $5.99 is a mf STEAL! Inflation buster territory. It was 4 traditional Tibetan beef momo in a light broth with some veggies that packed a flavor that warmed my soul. I can't stop thinking about it. Wherever I go I've been seeing that bowl of Ruthang momo soup.....

The other 16 Momo (8 beef, 8 chicken) we ordered and demolished were also delicious, but the beef was dubbing the chicken. I feel like everyone likes beef better than chicken though haha. But what do I know? Don't let me tell you how to live your life.

My Shapta, which was traditional Tibetan spicy beef w/ veggies and a side of rice, hit the spot as well. Just quality food packed with flavor but not in an overwhelming way... and was a beast portion size for $15.99, albeit not inflation buster territory.

The interior here was one of the coziest environments I've been in in the city. Although it was packed, I felt like I could take a breath. Places with character like this calm me down a bit and take me out of the hustle bustle of nyc that can chew you up and spit you out if you're not careful. Alright, I'm doing the most now but I really do love this place.

One of my favorite things about nyc is that you can live here for years and never go to a place like this. They are just sitting there, waiting to be found. Hell, I never even thought about Tibetan cuisine until this place haha. But I learned, and I will now proceed to tell everyone with two ears about Momo until they ask "Wait, what's Momo?" just so I can feel superior and say "WAIT.......YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT MOMO!?!?!"

Thank you, Cafe Himalaya. Thank you, Momo.

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A LES treasure!

The 2 dishes I cannot live without: The Sha Momo and the Chilli Chicken. Sha Momo are pork, pan fried dumplings that will change your life. You get about 8 for $8.50, but they are worth it. The filling is so dang tasty, I cannot get enough. The skin is crispy, not too thick, and just perfectly cooked.

The Chilli Chicken deserves 5 stars. High quality, all white meat chicken that have been lightly breaded and dipped in a delicious mildly spicy sauce. Comes with sauteed vegetables like onions and spinach, in the same sauce. I would eat it every day if it was socially acceptable.

The 2 dishes that were good: the Chilli Shrimp and the Chasha Shamdey. I was hoping the shrimp would have that same breading and flavorful sauce as their chicken counterpart, but it did not. Still good, but not life changing. The Chasha Shamdey was a yellow curry - big pieces of yummy chicken, but cooked a little tough, and the curry itself was just ok(would still give it 4 stars).

They're extremely veggie and vegan friendly and their parathas are to die for.

Each entree is only $10-$12, and is plenty for just 1 person, and 2 dishes is enough for 2. Have...

Cafe Himalaya is a small East Village "hole in a wall" restaurant. It's a comfortable as is. I sat in the front near the window, so I could people watch. Nepalese food is pretty good. I had Tsel Gyathuk Ngopa. The dish came to my table piping hot with chop sticks and a fork. I also had a mango lassi. The noodle dish is mildly spicy which caught me off guard but it tasted great, the waiter gave me some red sauce in a container with a tiny spoon. Kind of knew it would be spicy I added 2 spoonfuls and it was it was some intense heat kind of like wasabi. The mango lassi alleviated the heat. I ordered some Tsel Momo to go (damn good the next day)With all the food I had the bill was still under $25. It is worth the experience to at least go and experience the Nepalese food. It's not like it is available all over the city. The time I went (after 5pm) it wasn't crowded. The bathroom is down a steep narrow stairs, it was passable in terms of cleanliness. Do your business, wash your hands, and get out. If you have bad knees, ankles, hips, etc you may assistance up and...