In The News
A casual dining restaurant in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City, Himalayan Kitchen transports customers into the heart of Nepal, incorporating Nepalese, Indian and Tibetan cuisines. Everyone at HK believes the keys to winning a customer’s heart are excellent food and a warm, friendly environment.
“We use local—and when possible, organic—products and authentic spices from Nepal,” says Surya Bastakoti, who learned to cook simple dishes from his mother and is the man behind the restaurant’s success. “Every dish is made from scratch by our kitchen staff. By 11 a.m., passersbys can enjoy mouth-watering aromas and hear the familiar chopping sounds of a true kitchen.”
HK’s most famous dishes include Himalayan Momos—a steamed dumpling with ground meat or mixed vegetables and fresh spices; and mouth-watering Goat Curry–slowbraised, free-range goat meat cooked in Himalayan spices and curry broth. Vegetarians favor Quanty Masala, made with nine varieties of beans and legumes, tomato, onion, ginger, garlic and Himalayan herbs. HK also serves vegan and gluten-free dishes
After sixteen years as a mountain guide, paraglider and owner of Mt. Pumori Trekking and Expeditions, and a community mentor and leader, Bastakoti came to the U.S. in 2004. Unable to find food similar to that in Nepal, he established his own Nepalese restaurant. His connection to the outdoors continues. Many HK patrons are world-class climbers and mountaineers
When Surya’s friend, Apa Sherpa, reached the twenty-first and final summit of Mount Everest, he carried both the Nepalese flag and one from HK. Surya and his wife, Carmen, threw a huge welcome back party for Apa who presented Surya with the flag he had taken to the summit of Mount Everest. That day, Surya dedicated a wall containing Apa’s oxygen tank, expedition photos and messages from Apa’s friends. Surya considers “Apa’s Wall” one of HK’s most precious parts.
HK’s early days were challenging, as people unfamiliar with Nepal’s cuisine were often hesitant to try it. Starting with just three loyal employees, HK now employs twenty. The average daily income has increased from $450 to $4,000, thanks in part to word-of-mouth from local climbers, friends, Paragliders and Nepalese locals. From its original site at 73 East 400 South, HK moved in 2009 to a venue triple its size at 360 South State.
Surya’s future plans include renovating the site’s top floor, opening a larger banquet hall, a high-end, Indianthemed bar, and an Asian Arts gallery where local artists can display their work.
HK’s mission is to serve outstanding and flavorful Himalayan cuisine, crafted traditionally with the finest ingredients, yet with an understanding of modern food, décor and ambience preferences. It seeks to be a community hub for exposure to Nepalese culture and traditions, while giving back to the local community, and is active in dozens of community and charitable activities.
