Chef Kelvin Kwok, or Kwai as he is known to friends, is the Darjeeling boy behind popular eateries Burger Cartel in Darjeeling and Siliguri, and Thai Seoul in Darjeeling.
A Chinese born and brought up in the hill station in north Bengal, he has his personal favourites for places to eat at in Darjeeling. In this article, Kwok shares three eateries that are on his go-to list…
Gang Jong Tibetan Kitchen (N.B Singh Road)
Gang Jong Tibetan Kitchen has been dishing out down-to-earth, delicious meals for three generations
Gang Jong Tibetan Kitchen is nestled on the corner of the steep street I take to go to work every day. Whenever I need a quick and easy lunch break, this is my go-to place. The thing about Gang Jong is that it’s down-to-earth, just like the simple food they serve. Sometimes, less is more, and this place shines with its small menu — just momos, thukpas, chow mein and fried rice. They’ve been dishing out these for three generations, since way back in 1967!
The fried beef, and the noodle soup (thukpa)
My all-time favourite dishes here are the fried meat (beef) and noodle soup (thukpa). They work like magic, even for a big eater like me, because the portion size is generous. Their momos and chow mein are straight to the point and fuss-free. The fact that they make their own noodles is an absolute win in my book.
The charm of Gang Jong lies not just in its food but also in its lesser-known status among tourists. But for us locals and folks around town, it’s almost like a landmark. So, if you ever find yourself in Darjeeling, do yourself a favour and consider paying a visit to this little kitchen. Trust me; you won’t regret it!
Click here for location on Google Maps.
Washington Restaurant (Ladenla Road)
Washington was set up in 1948 by a Chinese cook, and his grandson still runs the shop
This is another hole-in-the-wall place that every local would have visited more than 10 times in their lifetime! Washington Restaurant has also been serving it up for more than three generations, dating all the way back to 1948 when the original owner, a Chinese cook working on various merchant ships, set up shop in Darjeeling. His grandson — my only Chinese friend in Darjeeling — still runs the show.
Momos from Soaltee and pork ribs at Washington
I go here when I’m craving some comforting home food. I definitely recommend their pork ribs and chops. And, if you’re craving a Chinese-style chow mein and fried rice, they hit all the right spots. Their cousin restaurant, Soaltee, next door, is another local favourite for mutton and pork momos. If you ever get a chance to explore this place and the dishes that come out of its simple kitchen, I doubt it will disappoint one bit!
Click here for location on Google Maps.
Mohan Eateries (Robertson Road)
Mohan Eateries is one of the few places that serves ‘makkai ko chyak-la’ or corn grits mixed with rice as part of the thali
Dal bhaat is as intrinsic a part of the food culture in Darjeeling as it is in the rest of Bengal and other parts of India.
My favourite thali here is the one with pork curry and mustard greens, fermented soy beans, and crispy bitter gourd. There’s nothing quite like a good rice thali, and no matter how fancy we try to make it ourselves, nothing beats the taste served up by Mohan Eateries... period! This place, for me, is the captain of Nepali thalis. Additionally, Mohan Eateries is one of the few places that serves makkai ko chyak-la or corn grits mixed with rice as part of the thali. Also when in Darjeeling, fresh Dalle goes a long way.
Soft succulent pork curry (right), with mustard greens lending a little bitterness and crunch to the whole dish
This little eatery, run by the ever-smiling Mr Mohan and his talented wife, who cooks everything herself, has been running for over 30 years. They started by mostly catering to local taxi stands, but now, they welcome everyone with open arms.
It’s a very small place but the vibe here is what makes it special. There are community tables where everyone sits together like one big happy family. I really like that everyone has stories to share about life. You’ll leave with a contented heart and a happy belly.
Click here for location on Google Maps.
The author is a Chinese born and brought up in Darjeeling. He runs the restaurants Burger Cartel and Thai Seoul in Darjeeling and Siliguri (Salbari).
