A Complete  Syrian Delight

A restaurant in Nepal with authentic Syrian food is a rare sight to encounter. Over the years, a number of different cuisines from all over the world have been making their mark here with the opening of new restaurants. From the favorite Korean, Japanese, Indian, Chinese, Thai cuisine to openings of Vietnamese restaurants, we have tasted it all but this was my first time trying an authentic Syrian food here in Nepal and it was one of the best experiences so far.  

Located at Pulchowk, near Himalayan Bank, Taaza has been serving genuine and delicious Syrian cuisine in Nepal since last four years. I was quite disappointed at myself for not finding this place earlier than I did. As I entered, the place seemed cozy with a homely ambience and fascinating wall paintings. Being greeted with a friendly smile has always been a determining factor for me about a restaurant’s image and as soon as I entered here, I felt welcomed which already made me like the place. 

I got an opportunity to interact with the owner, who is from Syria and who decided to open a restaurant with his Nepalese wife to serve Syrian food in Nepal as he saw the lack of authentic Syrian food here.  He wanted to bring forward the true culture and flavor of Syrian food. The place offers unparalleled taste of Syrian cuisine and I got to learn a lot about its history, origins and inspirations behind it. With much excitement I ordered three dishes which were a must have Syrian dishes. 

My first dish was their Chicken Kebab with Pita Bread, presented beautifully with a side of relish with fries and mixed sauce. The kebab tasted distinct from any of the kebabs I’ve had till now because the chicken was rather minced in a keema machine with different masalas and later on grilled. No wonder it had such a supple taste to it and felt earthy and smoky. The sauce was a clever combination with the kebab that all together brought such mouthwatering flavors that I didn’t want it to finish. 

The next dish was their Chicken Shawarma which was again served with a side of fries, salad and mixed sauce. The whole dish might paint a picture of a regular dish you get at a restaurant but the dish incorporated flavors that are bound to surprise you in an unexpected way. The dish is cooked in a clever manner where chickens are stacked vertically in a Shawarma machine. Then it is cooked slowly by rotating the machine so that all the flavors and fat of the chicken are absorbed by the chicken itself rather than going to waste to bring out the rich and juicy flavor of the chicken. Then the chicken is packed with delicious vegetables to bring out a fresh and pleasant taste and wrapped in a thin roti. The chicken was plump and luscious and the flavors inside were all over the place that felt addictive in a nice way. With such exquisite flavors, the dish is a ten out of ten for me and something I would come back for more and suggest my friends to try as well. 

Last but not the least, trying Falafel for the first time was something new for me but a great choice on my part. I am definitely adding this dish to my list of favorite food considering how deceptively simple it looked with minimal flavors but tasted marvelous in every way. It was prepared by mincing chick peas in a keema machine and adding ingredients like onion, masalas and garlic to bring out the flavors. At the end, it is deep fried to bring a nice crunchy flavor that is sure to attract many people’s attention. With a side of hummus sauce (also my new favorite) that is prepared by cooking in a pressure cooker and blended with lemon, salt and sesame, it was a wonderful and different dish that fulfills your cravings in every way. The dish is a clever combination and the crunchiness of the outer layer of the falafel was light and fluffy a perfect touch to this perfect dish. 

All in all, this is a place one must visit to explore more of the best Syrian cuisine. Being someone who has always liked staying true to her roots and preferring Nepalese food by being hesitant to try other cuisines, I would without a doubt say that trying Syrian food has seriously made me reconsider my choices and explore for more. I can’t wait to visit Taaza again and try other new Syrian dishes in the future.