Taj Mahal Everest, an Indian and Nepali restaurant, near the place where the Kyoto Sanga football club plays their home games in the western part of Kyoto, manages to divide their menu fairly between the two neighboring countries.
On a recent visit we caught the tail end of Dashain, an annual two-week festival and a highlight on the Nepali calendar. Half the restaurant was given over to young Nepalis, who were in a celebratory mood. The other half of the restaurant, which is divided between floor seating and tables with chairs, was packed with bemused local residents enjoying the festive atmosphere.
Since Taj Mahal Everest opened just over a year ago, I have been slowly exploring the Nepali side of the menu, trying to steer myself away from the curry and naan that is so common. Luckily, this effort also includes trying Everest Beer, which is shipped to Japan from the mountain kingdom.