An Unexpected Himalayan Feast in Seoul

While in Seoul, with the clock getting late, we ended up searching for somewhere nearby that was still open for dinner. We noticed a Tibetan restaurant just across Cheonggyecheon called Potala and thought, why not? It’s certainly not a cuisine I come across very often back home in the UK.

It’s always a bit of a leap into the unknown when a restaurant entrance is down a flight of stairs, you never quite know what to expect. Thankfully, we were pleasantly surprised. There were still plenty of locals milling around, which is always a good sign. The décor was particularly striking, with wooden frames, colourful detailing, and an atmosphere that immediately transported you to a region far beyond Seoul.

Not really knowing where to start, we simply ordered whatever looked appealing. The restaurant also served Nepali food, giving the menu a distinctly Himalayan feel for the evening.

We picked a range of dishes so we could try a bit of everything. First came Shapta, a Tibetan beef stir-fry packed with flavour. Alongside that, we ordered Tingmo, twisted steamed buns served with Aloo Phingsha, a hearty stew made with several different vegetables.

The food was a real hit. Both my cousin and I were delighted with everything we ordered, and the fact that it was all halal was an added bonus. The restaurant itself was incredibly eye catching, and even after we had finished eating, we spent some time looking around at the various pieces of memorabilia and artwork displayed throughout the space.