Sherpa food and Buddist flags

Howard Wallace

Howard Wallace

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I did some wandering on the Ave next to the University of Washington this weekend.

I found a Tibetian store, and picked up some colorful prayer flags for the yard, and some Tibetian incense.

A few blocks to the south of the Tibetian store is a Sherpa restraunt, specialising in Nepalese, Indian, and Bhutanese food. I took the kids there for an afternoon meal. I had tsampa and chang. Brita was lobbying for Burger King but settled for a plate of tandoori chicken. She was still complaining until she took a bite, then she concentrated on gobbling it up. Gerard had some lamb curry, which also disappeared quickly. Unfortunately they did not have Sherpa tea. I asked for some, but I guess it's just not a big seller over here.

We did have lassi's. Mango for Gerard and I and strawberry for Brita. They were excellent.

And then there was the lassie who served us. A beauty from Kathmandu. She struck up a conversation and when she found I had been to Kathmandu she asked me when I visited. When I told her the dates she replied, "Oooh. I wasn't even born then!"

If Bill and Yangdu, or any of the other forumites want to look me up when you're in Seattle, perhaps we can knock down a couple of glasses of chang together. You must be brave.

:)
 
Tandoori chicken? It's been 20 years, 6 months, and some odd days since I had any for the first and so far the last time. Not too bad though if I can still remember it. Of course I don't dare forget certain aspects of that trip I tasted it on ( honeymoon ).

Howard, I hope your situation is becoming resolved and you find things to smile about more often now. I remember back when HI was getting going on KF and you used to post frequently. If it hadn't been for such decent people as you in the beginning, and your sense of humor, the Cantina might not have become what it has.

I remember meeting you at the very first Khukvention ( and many others ) and your decency is still the first thing I remember about you. Best wishes, prayers, blessings and all that garbage. I'd send smoke for you but I did so much of that this last year I nearly puke when lighting up after "incense overdose".

What am I doing still at the computer when my mind went to sleep hours ago? Oh well.
 
I like thumba better than chang and some of the food I can tolerate. I suspect our prayer flags up at Manakamana are weathered away -- but who knows?

Many thanks for nice story, Howard.
 
One thing I remember about Nepal was the terrible food. ;-)

Actually some of it was pretty good, if they didn't use rancid grease. The restaraunt I went to in the U district did an excellent job of preparing the food though.

Chang is a surprise for the western palate. I remember my first taste of it. It was a gift from a man who lived in a dirt hut, in the hills many miles north of Kathmandu. Served in a somewhat dirty glass. One of the most memorable and best drinks I have experienced.

My western friend who was with me took a sip, looked at me with sorrowfull eyes, and said, "Howard, I can't drink this stuff."

Chang is a rice/grain wine, similar to sake, but with a more pronounced grain flavor. Best served room temperature in a dirty glass.

Thanks Rusty, for the good wishes. My battles are not over, but the sun is shining in my heart. I have emerged from the dark night with an unburdened spirit. Come on, world! Bring it on!
 
Originally posted by Rusty
Tandoori chicken? It's been 20 years, 6 months, and some odd days since I had any for the first and so far the last time. Not too bad though if I can still remember it. Of course I don't dare forget certain aspects of that trip I tasted it on ( honeymoon ).
Click to expand...

Maybe not quite the same thing, but President's Choice makes a tandoori sauce. I've never tried the real thing, but chicken made with the PC sauce is very nice. It's called something like "President's Choice Memories of [digging fruitlessly through the garbage looking for the damned bottle] Spicy Tandoori Sauce".
 
Done Indian, Nepali and Tibetan. But, never Sherpa. The basic rule of thumb, though, is that chow from that part of the world is pretty good.

I still boggle at how folks from there could have come up with such delicious cuisines when so many have so little to eat.

S.
 
They can spice up some tarkari (essentially vegetable curry if there's not meat available) and some rice and depending on the cook's ability to use the varios spices it can be anything from edible to delicious. And, the cost per meal is pennies. I've just had my fill of the stuff -- same thing three times a day is too much!!!!
 
Howard, I don't know if I'm moving back to Portland or up to Seattle next summer. But If it's Seattle ...then a cup of Chang and a tankard of Hale's ESB it is :D
 
It just doesn't seem right unless all eating utensils are dirty and covered with amoeba filled droplets of water.
 
I've told this story before, a couple years ago. If you've already read it just skip over. The little yellow vomiting face reminded me of it.

Back in the hills of Nepal, miles from any road, I was enjoying some of the native food in a small hut. There were two local dogs hanging around. Nice mutts, but skinny.

I began to feel like one of those little yellow faces, so I excused myself and went outside to vomit. The dogs followed me, and as I bent over their lips curled back, baring their fangs. As I began to vomit the two dogs snapped the vomitus out of the air. I remember their speed and the sound of their teeth clacking inches from my nose as I was sick. None of the vomitus hit the ground. The dogs didn't touch me either, although those bared teeth came close.

Those were two hungry dogs! Perhaps some artist can add the two snapping dogs under the yellow face.
 
Howard, I had squid add to the ambiance of such an episode of mine. I was 7, deep sea fishing at night. Normally 1-2ft. seas in the Gulf of Mexico. Add in a Hurricane farther south, and Viola! 8-12 seas! I didn't feel too embarassed since the first mate was right along side me feeding the pink squid. ( Of course watching the diners peck away at it only made me feed them more!):( :eek: :barf: :confused: :barf:

-Craig
 
Howard, the dog story reminded me of eating at a little roadside restaurant in Panch Khal. I'll tell it sometime.
 
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