Sunday, January 14, 2007

Yak Momo's and Backbends: My start to a New Year

Tibet is known for it's spiritual avail's and great Buddhist monasteries. Food here not only nourishment the hunger of the body, but also of the mind and spirit. Being right between Asia and Tibet, the cuisine is something truly extrodinary.

Yak Momo's are dumplings that are filled with many spices and the lean etherealness of their common protein of Yak Meat. Not as thick as the countless dumplings i've ate around Alhambra and served with a Mint and Chili chutney, instead of the accustomed soy/vinegar mixture. Yak meat is surprisingly meaty but without the heaviness of beef, something that must be personally sampled in order to be understood.

Their Curries are also not as heavy as Indian Curries but just as packed with flavor. Try the Arun Valley Saag for a twist on your usual take on Bok Choy. When ingesting these amazing concoctions don't be confused by these little bursts of flavor that you'll taste here and there, for they are just part of a handful of Fennel Seeds that are steamed in with the rice.




A new year for me, usually would mean new problems, new pressures, new worries. But with meals like these after a 2 hour session of Urdhva Dhanurasana's (Yoga Backbends) and finally making my own path and eating at a place that HAS'NT gotten written up by Jonathon Gold, this year is suddenly looking a lot brighter.


Tibet Nepal House
36 E. Holly St.
Pasadena CA 91103

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

now i know what you mean by straying from the beaten path. is that why you didnt write up Angelique Cafe?

Tableau Vivante said...

"...making my own path and eating at a place that HAS'NT gotten written up by Jonathon Gold..."

You know, I think you just revealed the kink in my food chain. I often times depend on Mr. Gold to provide direction in the food arena. And he's rarely wrong, so it's a kind of safe route to take. But you're absolutely right. There's nothing adventurous or educational or valuable in following the leader, as it were.

I'm going to have to re-evaluate my restaurant tactics.

Oh and score to you for highlighting a hidden "east-side" gem.