On first glance at the menu at Tara’s Himalayan Cuisine, you could be forgiven for thinking that it’s a regular Indian restaurant. There are kormas and samosas, naan breads and tandoori on there – classic items that we associate with Indian food.
But there are other things too. Fascinating, interesting dishes that you won’t necessarily find elsewhere. Things like Yak Chili and Momo dumplings. Those are the things that peak the interest when you’re looking for something a little different.
With that in mind, we opted for the Chicken Chow Chow, which is described on the menu as, “a quick stir-fry of Chinese style noodles with fresh vegetables, onions, garlic, ginger, and a blend of Himalayan spices.”
The Himalayan span five countries – India, Pakistan, Nepal, China and Bhutan – so it makes sense that the food also spans those cultures. The Chow Chow is the perfect encapsulation of that. Chinese noodles but spiced and seasoned in a manner that is utterly unfamiliar if you’re expecting a chow mein.
“Tara’s Himalayan Cuisine is about family, yours and ours,” owner Tara Gurung Black said online. “Serving authentic Nepalese and Tibetan cuisine, we invite you to experience a true taste of home. We use mountain grown herbs and spices from Nepal and whenever possible, locally grown vegetables. Our yak is Colorado raised. All of our dishes use the finest ingredients, and are prepared with a light touch.”
Gurung Black was born in a tiny mountain village in Nepal, and she started her training in Nepalese classical and cultural dance at age eight.
“This inspired Tara to theme the restaurant according to classical and cultural Nepalese tradition,” they say. “While performing one day in Los Angeles, she had an overwhelming desire to share her Nepali culture with the people of Los Angeles. That is how and why Tara’s Himalayan Cuisine came to be. Recently, she returned, after many years, to her mountain home and found its only school to be in sad disrepair. She made a commitment to raise enough funds to rebuild the school. Ten percent of profits from Tara’s Himalayan Cuisine go towards that goal.”
That connection with her home is evident in the food, and the Chow Chow in particular. The rich noodles and crisp vegetables sit wonderfully well with the chicken, which is perfectly cooked.
Overall though, a trip to Tara’s Himalayan Cuisine is about the experience. Have a little adventure.
Tara’s Himalayan Cuisine is located at 10855 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles 90034. Contact 310-836-9696 or visit tarashimalayancuisine.com.