Tibet Café and Bar  – 51 Kensington Ave, Toronto, ON M5T 2J8
Country: Tibet         
Must-try dish: Lhasa Thukpa 
Seating: Indoor seating with small patio. 
The high: It’s family-owned by the same people who originally opened shop. 
The low: It’s more expensive than most Tibetan restaurants in the city, which could be because of the location in Kensington Market. 

Unlike many of the restaurants in Little Tibet, this one is located in all of Kensington Market’s chaos, and has been around for long enough that it has a loyal following with regulars. On top of that, it’s a pit stop in local food tours that showcases Tibet’s famous dish: the Momo. If you don’t know what a momo is, then you’re likely new to this blog, but more importantly, you should get on the bandwagon immediately. 

The restaurant itself is one that you could pass by for years and never take notice of, but once you know it’s there, it’ll give you the cravings for Tibetan delights everytime you’re in the neighbourhood. Since it opened the same family has run it using the same recipes from home and the regions around it. 

Without much thought, two orders of Momos were placed: one for beef and the second for vegetarian. The minced beef is seasoned with spices, while the vegetarian one is packed with cabbage, mushrooms, onions, and herbs. Although it sounds less appealing, the vegetarian option is tasty and fun to eat because of the various textures within it. 

To shake things up a little, we also opted for an order of the Chili Chicken Momo that’s pan-fried with a crispy exterior and stuffed with minced chicken mixed with spices and topped with a sweet and spicy sauce. There’s a lot going on here, and although it’s tasty, a momo traditionalist might be offended. 

Butter Tea is as strange as it is delicious, and it’s not a real Tibetan feast without a mug of this warm drink. Black tea makes up the base then yak butter, water and salt add the flavour. Increasingly, butter made from cow’s milk is becoming more prominent due to cost and availability, but traditionally the yak provides the butter and you’re lucky if you get a taste of it. 

Another classic in Tibet’s cuisine is the Lhasa Thukpa, which is hearty soup made with noodles, beeg, vegetables and topped with an omlette. The broth is packed with flavour from garlic, ginger, and spices. It’s an excellent remedy for a cold day or if you’re feeling under the weather. A variation of the Thukpa will live on every Tibetan menu, and is unique to the country and the regions surrounding it. 

The last minute addition to complete this meal with an order of Chicken Chow Mein. This dish is usually associated with Chinese cuisine, and there is a very popular Chinese variation, however, the one served at Tibet Café and Bar is done in an Indian style with more South Asian flavours alongside the egg noodles, vegetables, and meat. It’s an old favourite that will never cease to please.  

This is a terrific spot for a Tibetan fix if you’re in the neighbourhood, but our hearts and bellies are undeterred when it comes to getting Tibetan food in Parkdale/Little Tibet. 

Eat with you soon, 

Mandrea Bike
(Mat & Andrea)