{"id":30806,"date":"2025-11-06T16:17:13","date_gmt":"2025-11-06T16:17:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/30806\/"},"modified":"2025-11-06T16:17:13","modified_gmt":"2025-11-06T16:17:13","slug":"darjeeling-kitchen-and-cafe-brings-a-taste-of-himalayan-community-to-queens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/30806\/","title":{"rendered":"Darjeeling Kitchen and Cafe brings a taste of Himalayan community to Queens"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Bildok, a traditional Sherpa dish served at Darjeeling Kitchen and Cafe.<\/p>\n

Photo credit: Jessica Militello<\/p>\n

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At Darjeeling Kitchen and Cafe in Astoria, tables are filled with family and friends chatting under low lights as servers carry out hot bowls of dumplings, the steam emanating into the inviting atmosphere as guests dine and indulge in Himalayan cuisine. The space has already become known for their momos, or dumplings, to other dishes, like a piping hot bowl of soup called Bildok, a traditional Sherpa soup, often eaten on the way up to Everest, the spicy flavors leaving a pleasant tingling on their lips, long after their spoon has lapped up the last drop.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"Darjeeling Kitchen and Cafe opened earlier this year in Astoria.Photo credit: Jessica Militello<\/p>\n

The restaurant, which opened this past spring, located at 31-12 36th Ave. in Astoria<\/a>, is a family-run venture through and through, from the artwork adorning the walls, to one of their tables, taken from owners Tashi Lama and Tsering Dolkar\u2019s own kitchen, to the restaurant\u2019s dishes, made lovingly by their aunt.<\/p>\n

\"\"Photo credit: Darjeeling Kitchen and Cafe<\/p>\n

\u201cAll of the decor has been gifted to us, or we bought it from home; for instance, this dining table, we had it at home, and I feel like it invites people to come together,\u201d said Dolkar. \u201cIt\u2019s more community-based, where it\u2019s not just a restaurant. We don\u2019t want people to just eat and then leave. I\u2019m a consumer, too, so at the end of the day, when I go somewhere, I want to be treated like I\u2019m welcome there.\u201d<\/p>\n

The restaurant, which officially opened in March, is the couple\u2019s first ever business and restaurant. The venture would almost seem to be equal parts destiny along with hard work and dedication, after the Queens-based couple happened to walk past the space while visiting a nearby ramen spot after discovering that the space was available for rent.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"The interior is filled with art made by friends and family. Photo credit: Jessica Militello<\/p>\n

\u201cMy husband saw an ad on Facebook saying that the restaurant was for sale, and we were just walking around in the area, so we thought, let\u2019s just check it out,\u201d said Dolkar. \u201cIt was not even something that we were planning to do. My auntie, [Pupu Chhangi], who\u2019s the chef, was working at another cafe, and she always wanted to open a restaurant. Tashi and I were already looking to open up a cafe somewhere, a restaurant was not our first option, but since it worked out with my auntie being there, it was really serendipity.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"An array of dishes made by the Himalayan restaurant.Photo credit: Darjeeling Kitchen and Cafe<\/p>\n

Within just a couple of months they completely renovated the former Chinese food restaurant, learning everything for the first time, from redesigning and decorating the space, to curating a menu inspired by their favorite dishes, along with dishes growing up inspired by Tashi\u2019s mom, and Chhangi\u2019s culinary vision. The result is handmade dumplings, steamed or pan-fried, with typical fillings like chicken and beef, as well as unique options like an oyster mushroom filling, shrimp, or mixed vegetables. Other dishes, such as an appetizer called Aloodum, typically served in Indian and Nepali restaurants, offer a warm and hearty dish featuring potatoes cooked in a spicy and flavorful gravy, sprinkled with crunchy chickpea flour noodles. There\u2019s the shabhaley, a Tibetan food similar to empanadas, but with thicker dough and a juicier meat seasoned with homemade sauce. There\u2019s also the Darjeeling-style thukpa, a clear beef noodle soup with simmered bone broth over 24 hours, topped with ground beef, cilantro, and onions.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese are all dishes that we all grew up eating,\u201d said Dolkar. \u201cMomo is something that you don\u2019t eat every single day because it\u2019s like a family thing. Everybody sits down and one rolls the dough, one fills the meat, one makes the designs, so growing up it\u2019s been more of a festive event, but now like every day is like a celebration.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"The restaurant also offers a selection of coffee and tea drinks. Photo credit: Jessica Militello<\/p>\n

While the space is known for its food, they also offer an array of special drinks, including the lassi \u2014 a refreshing sweet yogurt drink \u2014 and masala chai tea, as well as their coffee, which ranges from Americano to mocha latte. Eventually, the owners would like to unveil a Sunday morning event featuring a DJ spinning music while customers meet up for coffee or lunch, creating a festive and upbeat atmosphere. The concept continues to follow in their vision to create more than just a restaurant, but a space where people can meet and feel welcome.<\/p>\n

\u201cInstead of drinking and going out at night, they\u2019re waking up early and coming in to drink their coffee, eat and talk with their friends,\u201d said Dolkar. \u201cIt\u2019s something that makes it more of a space for people to come in and feel like they belong-that\u2019s what I really want, and that\u2019s what makes me really happy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Darjeeling Kitchen and Cafe<\/a> is open from 12-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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