Cycle 14 – Item 290

22 (Sun) October 2023

Chow Mein

2.5

at Everest

(Starfield Hanam)

-Sinjang, Hanam, Gyeonggi, Republic of Korea-

w The Family

Everest is a Nepali/Indian restaurant.  Established in 2002 (according to the menu), so apparently unrelated to the Everest near Dongdaemun (see most recently 12.255 Masala Papad).

A glance at the menu had me hooked right away.  First, the reasonable prices, not a single dish over 15,000 won, most curries only 12,000 won, reminiscent of the cheap prices at the other Everest (see 1.049 Dal Makhani) – in stark contrast, Agra charges upwards of 30,000 won for curries, which are lousy (see for example 14.078 Butter Prawn Makhani).  Second, the wide selection of dishes, including appetizers.  So, I decided to give up shopping for the day, grabbed a table, ordered a mug of draft beer and a plate of samosa, read my book, and waited for the others to finish – we stayed for dinner.

Our primary objective for visiting the mall was so that DJ could get a haircut.  Returning home from Chuseok at the cabin last month, we had dropped by the mall, where DJ had received a haircut at Juno Hair, a mid-range chain that charges 25,000 won and up.  So happy with that result, he wanted to go back in advance of taking his yearbook photo this coming week.  Frankly, I think that it’s a waste of money, as he could achieve a similar result at a neighborhood barber shop – his hairstyle isn’t particularly difficult/fancy – for just 8,000 won.   And yet W loves any opportunity to spoil the kid.

Nepali Chow Mein is a thing.  Based on the basic stir-fried noodle dish from China (Nepal shares its entire norther border with China (via Tibet)), the Nepali version is seasoned with spices associated with Indian cuisine (Nepal’s remaining borders to the south, east, and west are shared with India), such as ground turmeric, cumin, coriander (also fresh cilantro), garam masala, etc.  Very common in mainstream restaurants across Nepal.

Here, the flavors were more Chinese than Indian.

The food was very good.  Surprisingly authentic, rare anywhere in Korea but especially notable in a shopping mall outside of Seoul.  The chicken tikka masala and naan were highlights.  Excellent value overall.

On any future visits to the mall (e.g., prior to any event necessitating an overpriced haircut for DJ), this is where we’ll eat.

(See also RESTAURANTS IN KOREA)

(See also MNM)