For those in a mood to steer away from the usual platter and try something new but homely at the same time, Lupi's Himalayan Bistro serves as a great option. It's pretty obvious that they have very diligently researched the various cuisines unique to different ethnic groups of the Himalayan region. So much so that some of the dishes come as a surprise to a Nepali too. However, their specialty clearly lies with the Tibetan dishes.
We've all had our fair share of Tibetan food from cramped shops scattered around some corners of our town but with Lupi's Himalayan Bistro, we have ourselves a chance to upgrade. They have taken their two storey-building in Lazimpat and turned the ground floor into a minimalistically styled café. The top floor, on the other hand, decorated with prayer flags and many traditional artifacts is reserved for fine dining.
"The plan is to preserve the homely taste and essence but at the same time present it in a more refined manner," says Sherpa.
Thus they apparently borrowed some of the recipes from their aunts and grandmas living all the way back in high Namche. They also haven't changed the original name of their dishes. So the menu reads like Ema Datshi, Shapta, Shaphalep, and so on. Though tricky to pronounce, they do help underline the authenticity of their food. Then, there is the taste.
Though the Veg Egg Dry Noodle is one of their relatively new offerings, it has quickly become a crowd pleaser. The noodles are prepared from scratch at the Lupi kitchen itself and then pan fried with mushrooms, paneer, tomato and garlic, making it a very comforting and pleasing dish.
Similarly, Da Pau happens to be another one of the customer's favorite. Cooked with Tibetan masala and with a special kind of dough, it often comes in non-vegetarian options. However, in their efforts to accommodate vegetarian clients as well, Lupi's Himalayan Bistro has come up with Spinach Da Pau. It's as appetizing as it's healthy.
For some guilty pleasures, though, one can pick and choose from a long list of side orders. One of the standouts happens to be the 'Sherpa-style Potato Pancake with Butter' aka the Aaloo Roti. It's rich without being too oily, and packed with generous flavors.
Further, to make it convenient for their customers, they also allow pre-call orders. This certainly helps cut the waiting time and makes the experience even more enjoyable. Lupi's Himalayan Bistro has big plans to add more activities and experiment with more ideas down the line. Exciting days are ahead for their clients.
Related story
The taste of fine chocolate
