Nepalese restaurant nice for her parents
Besides Itaewon, the area with the highest concentration of restaurants serving South Asian cuisine in Seoul is probably Dongdaemun, where immigrant workers used to congregate. Among them, Everest, a Nepalese restaurant near Dongdaemun Station, stands out as a favorite among Koreans and non-Koreans alike.On my visit the restaurant seemed to be having an identity crisis as its entrance was crowded with accessories. Maybe the owner couldn’t decide between opening a restaurant or owning an accessories shop. Everest’s questionable identity extended beyond the entrance. Although the concept is Nepalese cuisine, its menu is more a mix of Indian and Nepalese food that has been altered with a Korean edge. For example, its Nepali set menu, a variation on dahl bhat (a traditional Nepalese meal with rice, lentil soup and pickles) also includes chicken curry and watered-down radish kimchi.
There was tandoori chicken for 12,000 won ($13). That was funny, as meat is incredibly rare in Nepal. The chicken was tender with a clean, smoky flavor. I also ordered plain naan and butter naan. The butter naan was a bit too greasy for my taste and the plain naan was a bit too thick.
As we ate the tandoori chicken, saffron rice and Nepali set, I tried to think of nice things to say about the restaurant, as I had recently noticed my reviews being a bit jaded. And then I thought it would be the perfect place to bring my parents during their once-a-month phase of being sick of Korean food. The curry wasn’t spicy and the fragrance did not seem overpowering ― perfect for my folks who are not the most adventurous people when it comes to food.
Everest is located near Dongdaemun Station, line No. 4, exit 3. For more information, call (02) 766-8850 or visit www.everestfood.com.
By Cho Jae-eun Staff Writer [jainnie@joongang.co.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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