Category Archives: Japanese

Feb8

Makos

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Makos

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Location: Dwarika’s Hotel
Establishment: Japanese Restaurant
Cost: 1500 – 2000 Nrs for a decent meal and drink
Near by walking: Krishnapan (Dwarika’s), etc
Info:
★★★★★★Dwarika’s Hotel, it’s Krishnapan (traditional Newari), and it’s western-style continental restaurant are already highly successful and offer an amazing array of foods, so it’s hard to think why the establishment chose to open a Japanese restaurant, except so as to capture all possible traffic from its guests and well-to-do Kathmandu patrons.
Indeed, Makos (makes me think of shark fin soup, neh?) seems poised to snare the attention of any Japanese food connoisseur, offering standard fare with flair.
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I ate a set course meal, so did not get to peruse the choices; from what I had, it seems the usual sushi/sashimi make an appearance along with Miso soup, tempura of various kinds, and stir fries as well.
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Even a tempura fried ice cream is available, making me reminisce to an American, Mexican chain of old.
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Makos isn’t as inexpensive as some other Japanese restaurants in town, but it certainly is one of the classier ones.
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No free wifi per-se, and parking is limited to what you can get at Dwarika’s, but sophistication and style, and sheer convenience if you’re already staying there, are worth something.

Posted from Kathmandu, Central Region, Nepal.

Feb6

Strawberry House

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Strawberry House

Location: Lazimpat, south of Police Academy and north of Panipokari, diagonal road heading west
Establishment: Nepali / Japanese Restaurant and Strawberry delivery
Cost: 400+ Nrs for a meal
Near by walking: not much
Info:
★★★★★★

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This is not a high class establishment by far, but it’s good for a bite to eat. The japanese set is authentic, and the food is all around decent. The atmosphere will make you think you’re a bit out of the city, nearly in a village.
Small parking lot can accommodate a few vehicles. The staff is friendly. Get their number and have strawberries delivered to your abode while they’re in season!

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Posted from Kathmandu, Central Region, Nepal.

Sep24

Momotarou

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Momotarou

20110924-163358.jpgLocation: Thamel
Establishment: Japanese and Nepali Restaurant
Cost: 400 – 600 Nrs for meal
Near by walking: Royal Saphir, other shops in Thamel
Info:
★★★★★★
Hours?
Not too far into Thamel, but up north a bit, Momotarou is easily missed if you don’t see the diminutive wood-framed window entrance with slight japanese overtones. The small dining room in front is ok, but the small dining room in back should be had if available.
The menu is traditional japanese for the most part, and I’d be remiss in saying I managed to even remember the dish I ordered. Stir fry chicken and vegetables, with a side of Chicken Yakatori is what comes to mind. Not anything better than other traditional spots like Shogun (though possibly not as good) or Koto, certainly not sporting a Tepanyaki grill like Kotetsu. Sushi is available for the adventurous. Not so amazing that I’d feel compelled to go back with guests, not detestable that I’d turn it down if someone suggested. Decent japanese.

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Aug26

Café Hoshi

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Café Hoshi

Iced Coffee at Café Hoshi

Iced Coffee at Café Hoshi

Location: Rhavi Bhavan
Establishment: Asian Restaurant
Cost: 300 – 500 Nrs for lunch, drink
Near by walking: ?
Info:
★★★★★★
Tel: 01-6225894 (01 is added if dialing from mobile phone)
Jeetensuzu@yahoo.com.np
Monday – Friday: 7:30am – 6:00pm
Sunday: 11:00am – 3:00pm
Saturday: closed

If you happen to be kicking around Ravi Bhavan (southwest quarter) and have a hankering for some food, Café Hoshi might be up your alley. Off the beaten path (see map), Hoshi sports little in the way of parking, save the street and perhaps the nearby Lincoln School parking lot. The café’s little one room diner is pleasantly painted with warm tones and appointed with quaint tables and an AC unit. Customers order from the kitchen window after browsing over a bifold menu that has a multicultural specialty selection.
The menu covers Japanese, Korean and Chinese, while still offering western “hamburger” fair and Nepali “niceties.”

Bi Bim Bap at Café Hoshi

Bi Bim Bap at Café Hoshi


Café Hoshi can add itself to the proud list of places that does iced coffee “right;” using coffee ice cubes to keep the flavor of the coffee adds to the whole experience, rather than detracts, and you can also tell that at least the water has had something done to it (important here in Nepal). The size of the glass is “western” in my estimation, something around 14oz.

The bi-bim-bap was excellent, though the chili sauce was a bit thin (this reviewer is used to thicker, redder paste). It fairly disappeared within minutes, hampered by chopsticks though I was.

As a test of their local cuisine, I ordered the fried chicken momo’s. As at every place, they were slightly different, in this case offering a spicy kick. The conflicting Korean and Nepali flavoring helped me make the decision to have them packed to go, and finish them later with a cold beer, rather than stack them on to my already delicious lunch.

Fried Chicken Momos at Café Hoshi

Fried Chicken Momos at Café Hoshi


Of note, no restrooms visible here, perhaps in the back if one asks. Off the beaten path. No wifi. Excellent representational cuisine. A repeat whenever this reviewer is around!

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Posted from Kathmandu, Central Region, Nepal.

Jan20

Imago Dei

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Imago Dei
Chinese Chicken Chili Snack at Imago Dei

Chinese Chicken Chili Snack at Imago Dei

Location: Nag Pokhari
Establishment: Western Continental restaurant
Cost: 300-1000 Nrs for a meal
Near by walking: Mike’s Breakfast, Seoul Arirang Korean Restaurant, Duty-Free Shop, Framing Shop
Info: ph:(0)1 444 2464
985-102-9041
imago.dei.gallery@gmail.com
★★★★★★
Located on a relatively quiet street, further sequestered from foot traffic even, Imago Dei is another good example of a haven in Kathmandu. Whether walking or driving, the restaurant is accessible, though parking may become difficult on Friday evenings (Nepalis have Saturday off); street parking is available, though not for the faint of heart.
Walk into the courtyard past the framing shop and the Duty-free shop (Diplomats only, sorry, public at large) and past the first art gallery to find Imago Dei (While Imago also serves as an art gallery itself, this review does not cover art appreciation). Sit outside in nice weather, or inside the spacious dining area at a quaint wooden table with cushioned seats, or even at the low-slung italian-inspired leather couches.
Imago Dei’s menu runs the gamut, hitting high points from many of the cultures that represent Kathmandu’s expat community, including offerings from Thai, Nepali, Chinese, Italian, American, and Indian cultures. While some restaurants inspire fear at such a schizophrenic approach, Imago Dei manages to project confidence, coming off as a State-side urban success, due in no small part to the vision of the owner I’m sure.
Though the main entrées may be tempting, don’t overlook the “snacks”, which could themselves serve as a small meal to most. Instead, order an appetizer to share with a friend, perhaps even split a salad. The Chinese Chicken Chili “snack” or appetizer was amazingly spicy with a chili paste, and not too sweet. The included sautéed green peppers and onions added a mellow depth to it. The roast pumpkin and bacon salad was excellently dressed, not overpowering the fresh spinach leaves, and complimenting the new chevre (less than 7 days old to be certain). Salads come with two slices of quick bread (banana, pumpkin or zucchini ). If you plan on staying in Kathmandu for a few weeks, Imago Dei may warrant a second visit, if only for the cheesecake and coffee.

Roast Pumpkin and Bacon Salad at Imago Dei

Roast Pumpkin and Bacon Salad at Imago Dei


Of note! Imago Dei has western toilets (!), decent parking, and occasionally beer offerings beyond the Carlsberg, Tuborg, San Miguel, Everest, Lowenbrau-strewn landscape.
Wifi (Open) is available.
Most importantly, though not pictured here, Imago Dei has the best cheesecake in town, hands down. Do not go without preparing to have a slice.
Overall, Imago Dei has an excellent atmosphere, good location, and amazing food at decent prices. I would not hesitate to go again. Second favorite restaurant in Kathmandu thus far. (Bhumi only beats it for the sheer simplicity and price of the food and variety of tapas-style offerings; altogether a different class of restaurant)

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