It was a depressing evening when I realised my Dimmi points (intended for Soju Girl) had expired. The decision then came to something Asian(ish), bookable on Dimmi for points, and in the Entertainment Book for a nice weekday discount. It had been more than a year since my last trip to The Hungry Buddha, so it seemed appropriate for this occasion. In case you are wondering, the other places that fulfil these 3 criteria are all Thai or Indian.
Warm smells and delicious air greets you on arrival down stairs. There's some tasteful photographs and an excellent landscape painting of what I can only assume is a beautiful part of Nepal.
Rockmelon lassi was a smooth light yoghurt with a fresh hit of rockmelon flavour. Then came the food:
- Mo: Mo: (traditional Nepalese steamed chicken dumpling served with homemade tomato pickle) $9 - interestingly yellow filling and sauce. Not really sure how to describe it. It was fine but I probably wouldn't order it again;
- Khasi ko masu (boneless goat enriched with the flavour of fenugreek, cinnamon, tomatoes, coriander, bay leaves, ginger & garlic) $10 mini serve - a very meaty-edged thin curry sauce rich with the flavours of the tender soft goat pieces;
- Mountain eggplant (& peas cooked in Himalayan spices) $18 - lovely dish sweetened by onions;
- Jhinge tarkari (tiger prawns simmered in the paste of traditional Nepalese spices, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves & coconut milk) $22 - crunchy decent sized prawns in what tasted like a tomato-coconut flavoured sauce (I'm aware the description doesn't mention tomato...);
- Pulao $4 - basmati rice coloured with saffron and small amounts of raisins (but no detected nuts). I don't think the additives were discernible to me more than plain rice;
- Garlic naan $5 - soft pillowy bread topped with very mild diced garlic oil.
There are so many Nepali dishes left to try. I'll definitely be back for all sorts of things - gorkha beef, jhaneko daal, bheda ko masu lamb or even the other Asian offers such as Sri Lankan roti or Burmese fish. Can't wait.