Visit #1 ·
★★★★★First time through the door at Taste of Nepal in Ukiah, which is not exactly a city I associate with serious Himalayan food. Walked in not knowing what to expect, which honestly is how I prefer it — no hype to either confirm or disappoint.
Ordered a spread, the usual move on a first visit. I want to see range before I start narrowing down. Didn't catch everything on the receipt but I remember the dal bhat being the thing that made me pay attention. The lentils had actual depth — not the flat, underseasoned version you get at places that treat dal as an afterthought. Someone in that kitchen knows what slow cooking means, which tracks with what I spent years doing on a line.
The momo situation was solid. Skins weren't too thick, filling had good moisture without being soggy, and the accompanying sauce had real heat with some funk underneath it. That's the kind of detail that tells you whether someone gave a damn or just went through the motions.
Service was friendly, a little uneven in timing, but it was a first visit so I'm not holding that against anybody. I'd rather have genuine hospitality with rough edges than polished indifference.
Here's the thing about first visits though — I don't trust them fully. You catch a place on a good day, a bad day, a day their best cook called out sick. I've got two more trips to put in before I'll tell you whether this place is actually consistent or just got lucky while I was in town.
Receipts are saved. Photos are logged. I'll be back.