Tags
Boise Idaho, dining, ethnic cuisine, food, Indian cuisine, indie food, Mt Everest Momo Cafe, Nepal, Tibet
For years I’ve complained that my side of town suffers from a lack of interesting eateries, which is odd, considering it’s proximity to Boise State University campus and an affluent bloom of residential subdivisions to the east. Things are starting to look up. I reported earlier about the new Korean BBQ joint just blocks from my home.
In a strip mall just up the road, is a small, catering and take-out site. Tapia’s menu tends toward the upscale American palate, with excellent pastas, deserts, and vegetarian offerings, but nothing too challenging. Woefully, I believe they are slated to move downtown in the near future.
An established but mundane Chinese restaurant toughs it out just up the strip from Tapias. A few doors south is a fairly new, reasonably priced Hawaiian joint with huge portions of meat and other waist-enhancing dishes that are sadly short on flavor. Just across the street is the newly relocated Vietnamese Restaurant, Dong Khahn, an old friend of mine. Of course, there are tons of fast food Mexican and burger joints scattered around and even a Mexican food truck that puts out inexpensive gut bombs a block north of the Korean spot. There’s even a new tits bar, where you won’t find me spending money or time.
My newest discovery has wedged itself into the strip mall right next door to the old Chinese joint. Mount Everest Momo Café bills itself as: a taste of the country’s rich culinary heritage with a delicious variety of recipes, painstakingly gathered from the royal kitchens of Nepal, to the sea swept shores of South India. These recipes offer a truly delightful Nepali Indian experience. I’m no judge of authenticity because, I’ve never been to India or to Nepal, although I would love to do that some day.Since discovering the Everest, I’ve been munching my way through their menu. If it was the only item on the menu, I’d still return for the Chicken Chau Chau: Tibetan style noodles, pan fried with chicken and vegetables for $9.95. This dish is Nirvana. The chicken was fork-tender and the potatoes and vegetables were miraculously al dente rather than over-stewed. The accompanying rice soaked up the thinnish but tasty sauce. I asked for four out five stars worth of heat. I might ask for five stars next time.
I was recovering from the dreaded 2014 winter cold and seeking comfort when I ordered the the Lamb Thukpa: A large bowl of Tibetian style noodles, lamb and vegetables in a savory broth for $11.95 OMG. Delish! Again, fork-tender bites of lamb mixed with carrots, peas, cauliflower, and broccoli danced between ropey egg noodles, cooked to al dente perfection; all simmered in a robust broth, accented by those beloved Indian spices: cardamom, cilantro, cumin, red pepper and who knows what other bits of magic.
The cafe’s most popular dish is Chicken Korma, comprised of boneless chicken swimming in a thick cream sauce with hints of coconut, cashews, and assorted mystery spices and served with rice for $11.95. All of these meals are generous enough to satisfy two normal appetites. Especially with the addition of an order of naan. The Keema Naan, stuffed with ground lamb for $3.50, is my favorite. Leftovers make a delightful breakfast. Yes, why not start the day with some delicious protein? Mt. Everest Momo is all about quality ingredients, cooked to perfection, simply served. You’ll see no architecturally structured plates trotting out of the kitchen.What this restaurant lacks in ambiance it makes up for in the richness of the cuisine and the warmth of owner, Raj Shrestha. Twelve years ago, Raj was a travel agent living in his home country of Nepal. He came to the states, landing in Boise, of all places, where he worked for Micron. Raj hopes, once the restaurant is established, to start his own signature travel agency, specializing in planning and escorting American visitors to Nepal.
I hope this location works out for Raj’s Momo because I dearly love the food! And wow, all of a sudden, Boise’s east end burgeoning with interesting food options.
Mount Everest Momo Cafe Hours 2144 S Broadway Av Mon-Sat: 11:00-2:30 Boise ID 83706 5:00-9:00 208 342-1268 208 340-0250
sybil said:
Wish I lived closer. Some yummy stuff there.
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rangewriter said:
Oh we’d have a blast. The best thing? It’s within easy walking distance. I’m in heaven!
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Snoring Dog Studio said:
Another one to try out in my neighborhood! Woo Hoo!
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rangewriter said:
Let’s do lunch sometime! Maybe we could even get together with Van.
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Snoring Dog Studio said:
I’d love it!
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rangewriter said:
You have my phone #?
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Snoring Dog Studio said:
No – message me on FB!
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Freud Fission Chips said:
Greetings again Rangewriter,
Another delightfully written post. At current fuel prices here in darkest Africa, this might be the only way I tour the States (although I shall be trying my very best to put in a physical appearance in your neck of the woods one day).
Your descriptions of those fine dishes are most enticing and despite the hour (mid afternoon here in Chipsland) I am salivating in a manner that would give Pavlov’s dogs a good run for their money.
Best wishes
FFC
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rangewriter said:
Ah, man, Freud, you are too kind! I’m thinking I should have a party and invite all my blogging friends for a group visit someday. There’s something about the community…I think everyone would enjoy each other’s company. Kind of like at my mother’s memorial service where all her friends got to meet each other for the first time…it was a wild party!
Oh…here’s a napkin….! ;-}
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Glenda Hornig said:
Yum!!! Sounds Delish!
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rangewriter said:
I’m addicted. I think Raj knows me by name already and I only discovered this place 3 weeks ago!
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Cindy Salo said:
Yes. Yes, he does know you by name. We talked about you.
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rangewriter said:
Oh, so that’s why my ears were itching. I thought it was a skin disease. 😉
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Sandra Parsons said:
Dang, I knew there was a downside to living on our island. Only one Indian restaurant, and I hear it is barely mediocre. Although we haven’t gone eating out much lately anyway. Two little kids tend to do that to you 🙂
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rangewriter said:
Yea, well the kiddos might not appreciate Indian cuisine anyway, eh? At least you do have one! I’m impressed by that. (In my white-bread community, it doesn’t take a whole lot to impress me, you know! ;-))
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Sandra Parsons said:
Well, not as impressed as I am. I mean, can you imagine going on vacation on a tropical island and going out to have Indian, Chinese, German, or (gross!) English food instead of sampling the fresh local cuisine? Yet all these places survive. It’s a mystery 😉
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moondustwriter said:
nice to find a restaurant that you can frequent. hopefully Raj does well
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rangewriter said:
Quite selfishly, I hope so too! 😉
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Cindy Salo said:
Yumm-oooh! Just took a friend there for her birthday.
Let’s see, my favorite is the naan–wow! No, the basmati rice, cooked just right. Oops, I mean the alu matar. Wait, did I say alu matar? I meant the chick pea curry. Oh, what am I saying? My favorite is definitely the chicken tika masala!
Thanks, Linda, for letting me know about this place!
Cindy
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rangewriter said:
Oh cool! I’m glad you tried it and enjoyed it. I was there with friends on Saturday night and the place was hopping! I recognize now that perhaps a bit of extra time is necessary on weekend evenings. I’m spoiled by coming in at odd hours when they have nothing to do and my food flies out of the kitchen.
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reneejohnsonwrites said:
You have the most interesting places to choose from there in Boise. I swear I am coming to visit!
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rangewriter said:
Oh do! That would be so fun! You know how to contact me…;-)
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Otto von Münchow said:
Looks like you have plenty of interesting eateries these days. The Mount Everest Momo Café must be very enticing. I love Nepalese food, even the most basic. Enjoy it!
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rangewriter said:
I’m nibbling my way through their menu. I love Indian food, and Nepalese appears to be quite similar. They also have Indian staples. Yummm.
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