Noodles, Soups and Stews

Appears in

Taste Tibet: Family recipes from the Himalayas

Published 2022

About

This chapter is really the heart of our book. Noodles, soups and stews are everyday meals in Tibet. For centuries Tibetans have relied on these dishes to fuel them in cold weather – noodles in particular. The most popular noodle dish is thenthuk, a hand-pulled noodle soup that is usually served at dinnertime. Soups and stews are also generally eaten during the evening as they are perceived to be light but warming. Tibetans really excel at this kind of comfort food.

We highly recommend having a go at making your own noodles, even if this is your first time. Don’t let the length of some of the recipes put you off! Each noodle dish is made slightly differently in Tibet, and we wanted to share the various tricks and techniques with you – but if you find a way that works well for you, feel free to use this method every time. Cut yourself some slack (nothing has to be perfect) and allow plenty of time. Rolling out noodle dough does take a bit of practice, but it’s totally achievable and hand-made always gives the best results.