While on a field reconnaissance of the Tenderloin (see my Eden Silk Road post), I dropped in on a new little gem recently discovered by Yelpers, Newa Taste of Nepal and India. It was 4:00 and I knew Ju Ju had already cooked up a bunch of stuff for my dinner, so I contented myself with an order of Momos. One yelper had mentioned that Newa had the same owner as nearby Red Chilli, and I had had the steamed chicken momos there, so I asked for the fried momos. [In fact Red Chilli and Newa have different owners of record on their Fictitious Businesss Statements, so Newa may in fact be a spinoff.]
My fried momos turned out to be chicken as well, and deep fried, though they were not overly greasy. The chicken was well seasoned (better than I recalled in Red Chilli’s momos) and the supplied orange-ish colored dip (also different from Red Chilli’s) had a nice heat level to it.
There are four momo offerings at Newa: steamed chicken, vegetable, fried (chicken) and something called C-Mo: Mo, which, according to the young woman at the register, are also chicken momos with a savory topping. That’s something I’ll definitely try on my next visit.
The establishment’s name, Newa, refers to the indigenous people of the Katmandu Valley, and to a cuisine (also called Newari) which is a subset of Tibetan cusine. In fact, only one dish on the menu is called out as Newari, Newari Khaja, which appears to be a Thali-like mixed platter. Overall, it looks to my uneducated (in this culinary area) eye to be a typical Nepali cum Indian affair, with a small Nepali menu and a vast array of Indian goodies.
The place is small and takeout oriented, with only two hand-made shareable wooden tables. I’d suggest visiting off-peak if you want to eat onsite.
Newa Taste of Nepal and India
407 Ellis St. at Jones St.
The Tenderloin, San Francisco
