Last week as the world celebrated the coming of the year of the horse, a bunch of us decided to ring in the Chinese New Year at one of Kathmandu’s many Asian-styled restaurants. But we decided to forgo the well known establishments and opted to sample the fare at a fledgling eatery instead.
Zhang Kim in Kupondole is set up in the quintessential Chinese restro look with garish red and gold decor making its presence all around. There were tables for couples and small groups, but when we saw the private rooms with a turntable, we made ourselves comfortable.
PICS: HARIZ BAHARUDIN
Our first order was a simmering bowl of the familiar tomato and egg soup (Rs 160), a staple we often enjoy back home in Singapore. The soup came in the most forgettable of crockery and we were worried that it might set the wrong precedent for the dishes to follow. The first sip, however, dispelled all doubts. The salty taste of the eggs tangoed smoothly with the sweetness of the tomatoes and the chef’s generosity with condiments meant the bowl was emptied within minutes. It was slightly puzzling how something that looked so plain could taste so delightful.
Ten skewered prawns grilled in Szechwan style with an army of dry chillies made up our next order, the aptly named peppery prawns (Rs 680). The spices were as overpowering as the oozing juiciness of the freshwater prawns and it took a lot of self control to refrain from ordering one more basket of this mouthwatering delicacy.
Our third order, the kung pao chicken (Rs 480) again was nothing much to look at, but like its predecessors, the dish matched up in taste. The succulent chicken pieces were decked out with crisp peanuts, carrots, chillies, and capsicum, and turned out as Chinese as can be together with a bowl of fluffy white rice.
Unfortunately, the momentum that we had going ended with mapo tofu (Rs 220). The tofu was not exactly malleable and the gravy was lumpy with excessive oil. The Chinese vegetables with garlic (Rs 180) was, thankfully, far better and we were glad to end our meal on a positive note.
Although it’s been only a month since Zhang Kim opened its doors, it will most likely win over a lot of foodies with its authenticity and tippy-tappy service. Of course, the slightly higher prices mean you won’t come here for lunch everyday, but when you do you will go back planning your next date here.
How to get there: from the Pulchok bus stand, head towards Kupondole. Zhang Kim is on your right-hand side, in between Oodni Boutique and Bricks Café.