Toronto a multicultural city need no introduction to foods from South Asia but authentic Nepali cuisine can be harder to find city. Manish Paudel is keen to introduce the city to the diverse dishes made by the many different ethnic groups found in Nepal, starting with some of the most popular street food from the capital of Kathmandu.
Chana Chatpat (V,GF) $6
Chana Chatpat is a colourful, crunchy, spicy anytime salad-snack hybrid can found for sale on pretty much every street corner, in small newspaper-wrapped bundles, every cook making it slightly differently. Manish’s recipe includes mung bean sprouts, Bengal gram sprouts, potato, Asian pear, pomegranate, shallots, Himalayan salt, lime, diced daikon, fried sewai (vermicelli), and puffed rice, in a homemade spicy mustard dressing, served in a green cabbage cup.
Buffalo Momo $6 (4pcs)
Every country has its dumplings, and Nepal is no exception, with small momo shops to be found all over the city. Similar to the momos of neighbouring Tibet, these have their own distinctive flavour and hot sauce. It is illegal to slaughter cows in Nepal, so beef dishes are not common, but water buffalo is widely used. These momos are made with grass-fed Ontario water buffalo, flavored with shallots, ginger & scallion, served with a sesame, tomato & ancho sauce.
Gundruk-Masyura Bhat (V) $14
Gundruk is a popular ingredient enjoyed throughout Nepal. Leafy vegetables, like mustard greens, are fermented, which gives them a tangy flavour and boosts their nutritional value, then dried, which preserves them so they can be enjoyed all year. Masyura is another characteristic Nepali foodstuff, typically made up of black lentils (Maas) and taro leaves, which are combined and then sun-dried for several days. Both of these special ingredients, along with soy beans, feature in this flavourful vegetarian stew, which is served with rice, a simple lentil dal, pickles & a side of greens.
Dal Bhat Masu $14
Lentils (dal) and rice (bhat) are the staples of Nepali cuisine, often served with a side of meat (masu) curry, like this homestyle organic chicken curry. This also comes with a side of pickles and greens.
Gojia $6
A favourite Nepali sweet, this small empanada-shaped goodie is stuffed with dried coconut, cashews & almonds, with a light sugar coating and a garnish of pistachios.
Prix Fixe Menu $24
Starter + Main + Dessert
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Manish Paudel is a classically-trained food entrepreneur who has travelled extensively and lived in Nepal, India, Australia, Prague and USA. A committed foodie with love for street food from around the world, Manish recently moved to Toronto to raise a family.
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Every Thursday The Depanneur is an ‘open mic’ night for culinary talent in TO, where we invite guest cooks, amateur or professional, to come and make their favourite dishes.
