My boyfriend once told me that whenever Nepalis go out to eat they scan the menu like they mean it but always end up ordering the same three items; Vegetable Fried Rice, Buff Momos and Chicken Chilly.

I thought that was kinda funny and wondered how true it really was. I’m not so fond of the first dish, but just thinking of the latter two makes my mouth water.

Of course the best places seem to get Chicken Chilly is at those fake Bakery Cafes. Do you know what I’m talking about? The ones that replicate Bakery Café’s turquoise walls and such? Anyway, they get it just right every time.

As it had been a while since I’d last polished off an entire plate I was quite persistent in suggesting my friend and I go to Jalan for a quick bite earlier this week. I was quite persistent about that quick bite happening at Jalan because about two months ago my boyfriend had had to quickly meet someone else there. And while they made caught up I entertained myself with an order of Chicken Chilly and devoured it as the two talked. And, it was the yummiest I’d ever had anywhere in the country so I had go back there this week too.

It’s a fairly small portion, but it’s not meant to substitute as your entire meal, so that’s not a problem. But even if the plate was smaller I think the portion may be larger than at most other places. Maybe I should count the number of meat pieces because I swear it sometimes feels like the dish should actually be called ‘Onion Chilly’ since there is way more onions than chicken itself. But at Jalan there actually seemed to be more chicken (yay!).

And it’s not just that there was more meat in the meat dish, but that there was just right amount of gravy and the meat was absolutely perfectly succulent. I should add that I do like my food hot hot hot (like dalle khursani with my gundruk-bhat) so next time I have to ask for more green chilly.

Then again, I might actually venture beyond. My friend ordered a Hamburger, which is usually a mistake in most places in Nepal (except for Traveler’s Village in Nepalgunj, but who’s gonna fly cross country for one?), but not at Jalan – it was surprisingly good!

For one, it actually tasted like hamburger. The patty was not too thin and they seemed to have exchanged the stinky Yak for the softer Kancha Chese so that also greatly altered the flavor. My friend said it was “too mustardy” but I love mustard so it didn’t bother me. They had large potatoe wedge (where in Nepal did they find potatoes that big?!) and that Chinesy sauce for it. The small helping of Salad was yummy too.

All to say, this place is fantastic (near Summit Hotel, Kupondole Height)  - just a ten minutes from Kupondole, with a pretty view of the city. Between that, the friendly waitstaff, timely service and delicious food Jalan is a win-win, a definite 5/5!

Since Valley Foodie can’t cook and hates to clean up after creating havoc in the kitchen while frying  eggs in place of a “real meal” the only option she has is to explore and to eat. You may think such an individual could not provide solid food reviews, but really, it’s the opposite (because she watches Master Chef). Anyway, who says the way to a man’s stomach alone is through food?

http://www.parakhi.com/business/Jalan-Jalan-Restaurant