KATHMANDU: The Himalayan Times International Food Festival is just another day away. The fest is scheduled for December 2 at BICC. Be there and don’t miss out on fun that’s going to be grander than the grandest.

Here’s a totally new taste to whet your appetite — Bhutanese cuisine. To be catered by Te restaurant, the stall brings all the goodness and new mouth-watering tastes from the land of the dragon.

“Bhutanese food is spicy,” says Pema Lhakhy, proprietor, “with cheese and chili as the main ingredients.” From a set Bhutanese meal to ting momo to shabhaley along with vegetarian and non-vegetarian goodies, the Druk fare will be something to look forward to.

The Bhutanese set meal will have red rice “specially ordered from Bhutan”, Kewa Datchi a typical Bhutanese gravy made with kewa (potato) datchi (cheese) and local Bhutanese green chilli. This will be served along with Pa (dried meat) and red radish and dried long red chillies split into halves along the middle.

If you think that all momos should have meat or veg stuffings, then the Bhutanese stall begs to prove you wrong. Their offering of Ting momo is “steamed momo without any filling”. This will either be served with aaloo, or with phingsha which is a side dish glass noodles and meat. The “buffet” noodles spread out will let the guests choose their own ingredients according to their tastes. Another wonderful dish is the shabhaley, which if it is to be described very plainly is maida roti stuffed with meat filling.

Old friends — THT food fest and the Nanglo Café and Pub. Back again yet this year with wholesome German cuisine. The German cuisine suits the palate of those hungry for some real non-vegetarian items.

Typical German grilled pork sausages and chops, available also in chicken, complemented by two refreshing salads, and fried potato with smoked bacon, make the German menu really alluring.

Veggies need not fret, for there are two salads that cater to your palate — the delicious potato salad with mustard sauce and spring onion, and garden fresh cucumber salad with a dash of cream. And as it this was not enough, you can tease your taste buds more with the luscious apple strudel and black forest cakes.

Why not wash it all down with a can of Heineken?

“Everyone loves Chinese,” says Pramod Jaiswal.

He is not wrong at all when he pronounces these words. From take-aways to lavish banquets, Chinese cuisine is the world’s flavour.

At THT food fest this year, Upstair Chinese will spread out a delectable Chinese fare.

“Nepali people always veer towards Chinese food,” says Jaiswal justifying his move to hold a Chinese stall at the fair.

A connoiseur of Chinese cuisine will have the time of his/her life. The food seasoned with typical tomyum paste and sesame oil will get you asking for more.

And if the vegetarians are sulking, you don’t have a reason to at the Chinese stall because a number of select vegetarian dishes will be specially prepared for you, while you snack on chilli hot potato and crispy vegetables.

Chinese meal without dumplings? Can’t be. So, have your share of chicken dumplings too.