Meal #28: Nepal

While it only occupies a small area, Nepal is a stunningly diverse country, boasting both the world’s highest mountain and humid tropical areas. While the religiously diverse population tend to settle differences peacefully, the government is another matter, with political upheaval and Royal Family spats causing a state of emergency to be called. Braving the possibility of Maoist guerrillas, we ventured into the fray.

Kathmandu Kitchen
1294 Malvern Rd
Malvern
9822 0990
5.30-10.30pm, 7 days

Located opposite Peter Costello’s electorate office, the décor of Kathmandu Kitchen reflects its location and expected clientele. Tasteful decorations adorning the bland coloured walls do nothing to offend the eye, but neither do they promote Nepalese culture. The most vibrant visual aspect of this small eatery is the intense red framed eyes gazing out from the shirts of the staff.


Grazing the menu on our best, non-regicidal behaviour this week were Naomi, Marty, Sai, Caroline, Rami and Helen. Despite the Maoist sentiments of dominant portions of the Nepalese population, we decided to eschew the shared meal and purchase separate meals.


Entrée:

Aloo Chop - Delicious potato patties, comprising spring onion, coriander, dipped in chickpea batter, fried and served with salad and tamarind sauce.

Sekuwa - Tender pieces of chicken cubes marinated with mustard leaves, yoghurt, garlic, ginger and cumin, served with salad.

Mains:

Kukhua Ko Masu (Juicy Chicken Curry) - Tender pieces of chicken fillets cooked with coriander, cumin and home ground spices in a tomato and onion based sauce.

Khasiko Masu (Goat Curry) - Traditional very popular goat curry

Masuaraka Tarkari - A typical dish from Mountain Village of Nepal made from sun dried balls of lentil, potatoes and vegetables cooked in tomato based curry sauce.

Tofu Chow Chow - Stir fried noodles with assorted vegetables and tofu seasoned with soy and a touch of Nepalese spices and garnish with coriander

Sides:

Basmati Steamed Rice
Aloo Roti - bread stuffed with lightly spiced potatoes

Entrée:


Tender and perfectly cooked, the sekuwa was a delight to eat. The complex flavours were not overpowering, balancing delicately with the moist chicken. The aloo chop were tasty, but not outstanding, unable to be distinguished from potato patties of other cultures. The sweet dipping sauce helped to provide some originality to the dish, and was a dominant flavour.


Mains:


Strongly coriander driven, the chicken curry consisted of beautifully tender meat and a rich tomato sauce. However, the complex flavours of the dish were somewhat lost through inevitable comparison with the other meat curry- the goat curry. This was ordered with extra hot spices, leading to an overwhelming amount of chilli which diminished the flavour of the goat. The meat itself was tender, and somewhat reminiscent of lamb (although gamier), but the flavour was difficult to separate from the overall heat of the dish, which dominated the meal.


The tamer vegetarian dishes were well received. The Tofu Chow Chow, with its mild herb flavourings, was pleasantly balanced and tasty. The flavour of the vegetarian curry was largely derived from the lentil balls, and the tomato sauce was complementary to this, adding a depth to the dish and helping distinguish it from other lentil curries. The roti was refreshing with its potato stuffing, providing a comfort food element to the meal. It combined deliciously with all the curries, but also held its own as a solo dish.


Overall:

Dinner at Kathmandu Kitchen is a no-risk meal. The staff is attentive and very friendly. While the décor is strongly directed toward a western market, the dishes are delicious, and one is assured of a meal consisting of quality ingredients and well balanced spices. With the cost averaging at less than twenty dollars a head, we left satisfied. It’s highly unlikely that a State of Emergency will be declared at this efficient, pleasant eatery.