Himalaya SoNo Nepalese Cuisine Opens in South Norwalk

Wednesday marked the grand opening of Himalaya SoNo an altogether unique experience that brings diners the authentic flavors and culture of  the Himalayan region – Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan and Northern India. On Monday, before the restaurant formally opened its doors to the public, we were invited in to meet Nwang Sherpa. Sherpa, as his friends call him, a first generation immigrant from Nepal, came to the States 20 years ago to attend college in Pennsylvania. From there his career path would take him to the financial and real estate sectors before moving over to the food and beverage industry. Fast forward many years to today, and the young visionary’s brand, now highly esteemed, has earned a stellar reputation and numerous awards, including Zagat’s Best and Restaurant Guru achievements for its Westchester County locations which include Scarsdale and Yorktown. Sherpa is proud to employ people from the Himalayan region, allowing them to live and work in the US and pursue their own dreams. He is also on the leadership team for NSSP, The Network of Sherpa Students and Professionals, an organization based in Westchester County, which provides support for Sherpa students, graduates, and professionals through social, professional, educational, and cultural activities.

Himalaya SoNo is unique with a much larger space showcasing handmade clothing, jewelry, crafts and artwork made by Tibetan artisans all of which are for sale. The restaurant will also feature regular events from music, to lectures to story-telling. An expansive side patio can be enjoyed by all in the warmer months and will also serve as a stage for art activations, and pop-up markets. The Norwalk location is set to become a totally immersive experience.

Renowned for its quality and authenticity, Himalaya Sono uses fresh ingredients to prepare homemade Nepalese dishes which draw its influences from its Indian and Chinese neighbors has its own distinct flavor that can best be described as bold but not spicy. Even though the restaurant wasn’t yet technically open, we were privy to  try a few of the traditional offerings. The Lasooni Govi is a wonderfully fragrant dish featuring cauliflower that’s battered in chickpea flour and marinated in ginger, garlic, and various Himalayan spices, resulting in a depth of flavors that are tangy, smoky and warm. The Beef Chili is nothing like what you might imagine. Here we have bite sized pieces of roasted crispy beef and bell pepper that have been marinated in ginger, garlic with some chili peppers for good measure. Despite the name this dish is incredibly mild. Beef Makhini is a marinated grilled beef that comes in a cashew sauce that’s rich and creamy. The spices and the tomatoes give this sauce its bold color and flavor. We absolutely loved this dish. Lastly we got to try the Chicken Curry, a Himalayan style chicken cooked in vegetables and tomato sauce, has a warm, creamy flavor. 

The servings are deceptive, they’re generously sized, and I must add that they travel and re-heat beautifully should you not finish your meal. The few dishes we tried thus far were truly excellent, and now that the restaurant is open, I look forward to returning and trying many more dishes. 

HOURS:

Monday - Closed

Tuesday-Saturday, 12 PM to 3:30 PM (Lunch), 5 PM to 9:30 PM (Dinner)

Sun - 1 PM to 9:30 PM

99 Washington Street in South Norwalk, CT 06854

(203) 851-1201

https://www.himalayasono.com/