Taking its title from the best and fiercest troopers of Nepal, The Gurkhas, is a contemporary Nepalese restaurant based by famend restaurateur, and Nepal-born Shrabaneswor Rai (Scorching Stone Steak and Sushi Bar in Islington). Bringing a kaleidoscope of vibrant plates from the Himalayan area to London’s thriving meals scene, a culinary journey throughout Nepal awaits.
Rai has lengthy dreamed of bringing Nepalese delicacies to the capital with a nod to his Gurkha household connections. Working intently with Head Chef Joe Allen, the duo has created a first-of-its-kind eating expertise – Nepal has over 100 totally different castes and ethnicities, every with its personal meals historical past, and The Gurkhas have been impressed by the varied tradition of the nation to incorporate a spread of recipes that originate from totally different components of Nepal.
Having travelled extensively throughout Kathmandu, Chitwan and Pokhara – Chef Allen, whose spouse is Nepalese, and father-in-law a Gurkha – has immersed himself within the tradition, sampling delicacies and making an attempt his hand at wild boar butchery. The menu is split into snacks, sharing dishes and huge plates and is served by waiters in conventional Nepalese gown.
Start with snacks of Dungri Bhatmas Sadeko (Nepali finger crisps with soybean, onion and tomato) and Aloo Nimki (spiced potato curry served with a pastry parcel) earlier than a choice of small plates, designed for sharing. From the nation’s hottest dish – Kukura ko Jhol Momo (steamed rooster dumplings in a tomato sauce) – to Kuhura ko Pangra Sekuwa (grilled rooster gizzard); and Spicy Lamb Kachila with crispy bitter gourd, friends can uncover new flavours and relish within the true cultural spirit of Nepal.
Giant plates characteristic the likes of chargrilled Monkfish Choila; and Pork Chop with Sisnu (nettle), in addition to Chef Allen’s signature Makai ko Risotto – a singular corn-based risotto dish with butternut squash and churpi, a cheese derived from the milk of a yak which is of course candy in flavour and sometimes described as the toughest on the planet. Sides embody seasonal mustard greens; Chamrey Bhatt (Nepali model rice with ghee); and Mustang aloo chips.
End off with a superbly balanced darkish chocolate crémeux with guava curd and sorbet; Kuwa crème caramel with sorrel; or a Nepali spiced rice pudding with toasted coconut.
Within the coming months, The Gurkhas will supply a fairly priced six-course tasting menu (£75) with picture-perfect dishes from begin to end.
With the Gurkha veterans a trigger very near the restaurant workforce’s hearts, it’s donating 50p from each Gurkha pickle dish bought to The Gurkha Welfare Belief to help them, their households, and communities.
Chef Allen final introduced Nepalese meals to the capital put up his look on BBC’s My Million Pound Menu – attracting funding from restaurateur Jamie Barber to arrange Kitycow, a three-month pop-up at Hush Mayfair together with his then enterprise associate.
Uncover the distinctive and various flavours of Nepal at The Gurkhas – now open on Nice Portland Road.
110 Nice Portland Road, London, W1W 6PQ