(212) 614-3226

212 E 9TH St (nr. Third Ave.)
New York, NY 10003 40.7297 -73.9888

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Neighborhoods: East Village, Downtown

Hours:

Daily, 5pm-11:30pm

Price:

$$$

Last updated 10.17.11

Category:

Restaurants , Catering , Coffee Mills

Restaurant Special Features:

Local Favorite , Romantic Dining , Quiet , Hidden Find , Private Rooms , Food Delivery

General Info:

Open 7 Days

Cuisine:

Vegetarian , Tibetan

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Tsampa

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

In Short – Innumerable depictions of the Dalai Lama watch over youthful vegetarians and their health-conscious brethren in this dimly lit two-room space. The menu, which combines pan-Asian influences, offers a wide range of stir-fries and noodle dishes, with several varieties of momo (Tibetan dumplings) as highlights. The restaurant's namesake, a barley soup, is best saved for die-hard authenticity seekers.

Editor's Tips

What to Drink:
Don't overlook the beverage selection, especially the bocha (butter tea) and freshly made carrot-and-vegetable juices.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “The ambiance was very relaxing, and the staff was very helpful (although it took a while to get the check).”
  2. “The food is great and the atmosphere is very cozy, dimmed lights, candles, very nice.”
  3. “Had a late-night dinner there on Friday, and while the decor is fabulous, we waited a long time for our check.”
  4. “love their amazingly tasty food served in a room with romantic ambiance.”
  5. “Good food and atmosphere”
  6. “The decoration was perfect for a date, very romantic and quiet, and the waitstaff polite.”
  7. “The ambience was great; decor and lighting is zen chic and the noise level was low.”
  8. “The atmosphere is great with a huge Dalai Lama picture on the wall sending good vibes to everybody in the restaurant.”
  9. “Wonderful Tibetan food in romantic setting”
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. “An affordable wine list.”
  2. “The drinks were very good, and momo ok, but wasn't as well spiced and delicious as the entrees (just go for entree-sized momos).”
  3. “We order iced chai, yogurt drink, amdo momo, baked noodles, and eggplants.”
food quality
90.0% positive
  1. “The chicken curry I tried was also not tasty, nor was the actual food amount enough.”
  2. “Wonderful greens, wonderful food, and beautiful atomosphere.”
  3. “Wonderful Tibetan food in romantic setting”
  4. “The food is great and the atmosphere is very cozy, dimmed lights, candles, very nice.”
  5. “loved the baked noodles and the sherpa khala (potatoes and chicken served with delicious bread!)”
  6. “We order iced chai, yogurt drink, amdo momo, baked noodles, and eggplants.”
  7. “The drinks were very good, and momo ok, but wasn't as well spiced and delicious as the entrees (just go for entree-sized momos).”
  8. “The food at Tsampa is delicious!”
  9. “always reccomend this to friends looking for a great date place, group place, or simply a great meal.”
  10. “love their amazingly tasty food served in a room with romantic ambiance.”
  11. “The lighting is nice and dim, the set up is very peacful, the staff is sooo sweet and attentive, and the food is really really good.”
  12. “I've gone through about half the menu to date, and so far haven't come across a single bad dish.”
  13. “Good vegetables, dumplings, fresh juices.”
  14. “The food was wonderful, and the menu was wide enough to satisfy vegetarian and dieters.”
  15. “Inexpensive dishes, decent food.”
  16. “The food was a great value at $10 for entree and $5 for appetizer (ignore the $$$).”
  17. “especially loved the noodles, as it's chewy and different from everything else I've eaten.”
  18. “The momos (dumplings) are tiny with paper-thin dough, the shitake pancakes are to die for, the steamed greens (I forgot the name of the dish) is delicious as a vegetarian entry or with sauteed salmon.”
  19. “Calming - beautiful food.”
  20. “know good Tibetan food, and this sadly just isn't it.”
  21. “One of my go-to spots when I've got guests from out of town, or when I just want to enjoy a quiet meal by myself.”
  22. “Good food and atmosphere”
  23. “Beautiful setting, decent food, so-so service.”
  24. “Rather, these beautiful Tibetan ladies have made hearty Tibetan food delicate with a Japanese-inspired flair.”
  25. “The food is delicious, specially the chicken momo's.”
  26. “sampled someone's salmon dish, which was very tasty.”
  27. “They serve some of the most delicious vegetarian and even vegan dishes here.”
  28. “The food was good, and it's a great intimate setting for a date.”
  29. “The sauces were amazing, with depth, flavor, warmth, and complemented the food perfectly.”
  30. “Delicious momos (dumplings) and a cold salad for appetizers and noodle dishes with chicken and vegetables for the main course.”
menu variety
50.0% positive
  1. “The food was wonderful, and the menu was wide enough to satisfy vegetarian and dieters.”
  2. “I've gone through about half the menu to date, and so far haven't come across a single bad dish.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “The atmosphere is great with a huge Dalai Lama picture on the wall sending good vibes to everybody in the restaurant.”
  2. “Also a great place for a party as they were very accomodating to our large party of 20!”
  3. “could see it being a great place for a date too!”
  4. “always reccomend this to friends looking for a great date place, group place, or simply a great meal.”
service
100.0% positive
  1. “Service was delightful and attentive.”
  2. “The service is good too.”
  3. “Had a birthday dinner for about 20 ppl here on Sat night and the service was great.”
  4. “The ambiance was very relaxing, and the staff was very helpful (although it took a while to get the check).”
  5. “Beautiful setting, decent food, so-so service.”
  6. “The lighting is nice and dim, the set up is very peacful, the staff is sooo sweet and attentive, and the food is really really good.”
  7. “The service is excellent, with my water being refilled every 10 minutes :-)”
  8. “Fast service, friendly staff, clean bathroom.”
  9. “Pleasant staff.”
value
100.0% positive
  1. “An affordable wine list.”
  2. “The food was a great value at $10 for entree and $5 for appetizer (ignore the $$$).”
  3. “Really a great value and a great experience.”
  4. “The dining room is very low-lit, with a huge photo portrait of the Dalai Lama looking on and almost no sounds aside from a Buddhist chant recording -- it all adds up to put you in a contemplative (and maybe meditative) mood.”
  5. “The atmosphere is great with a huge Dalai Lama picture on the wall sending good vibes to everybody in the restaurant.”
wait time
100.0% positive
  1. “Had a late-night dinner there on Friday, and while the decor is fabulous, we waited a long time for our check.”
  2. “The service is excellent, with my water being refilled every 10 minutes :-)”
2 Star Rating: Below Average

06/01/10

Unfortunate disappointment

by gaiamcraft at Citysearch

This place is beautiful and I really wanted to like it. In fact I tried giving it quite a few chances. But alas I had to give up, because the food is just bland.

I know good Tibetan food, and this sadly just isn't it. The momos are dry and tasteless and the Thenthuk lacks the spiciness it so desperately requires.

Staples that should be the selling point are the missing point.

  • Pros: atmosphere/interior
  • Cons: food
4 Star Rating: Recommended

04/16/10

Good food and atmosphere

by george n at Citysearch

Great place for a date! The food is great and the atmosphere is very cozy, dimmed lights, candles, very nice. I was there with that special one :) a few days ago and I was very happy with my choice. The service is good too. I will be back!

  • Pros: atmosphere
  • Cons: none
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

04/18/08

I'd definetely come back...

by lorenasfm at Citysearch

The food is delicious, specially the chicken momo's. I haven't made reservations and was immediately seated.

The service is excellent, with my water being refilled every 10 minutes :-)

The atmosphere is great with a huge Dalai Lama picture on the wall sending good vibes to everybody in the restaurant.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

03/30/08

Calming - beautiful food...

by talluhla at Citysearch

Wonderful greens, wonderful food, and beautiful atomosphere. I had the Thukpa - noodle soup. A peaceful experience.

4 Star Rating: Recommended

02/15/08

Sometimes you feel like a monk ...

by albyatlarge at Citysearch

One of my go-to spots when I've got guests from out of town, or when I just want to enjoy a quiet meal by myself. The dining room is very low-lit, with a huge photo portrait of the Dalai Lama looking on and almost no sounds aside from a Buddhist chant recording -- it all adds up to put you in a contemplative (and maybe meditative) mood. The food is similarly humble and unadorned (don't expect the fire and flavors of Southeast Asian cooking), but complex and delectable in its own right. I've gone through about half the menu to date, and so far haven't come across a single bad dish. In winter, be sure to wrap up the meal with a cup of bocha -- that stuff'll keep you warm and blubbery-feeling for hours.

  • Pros: Consistently high-quality menu, soothing ambience, low prices
  • Cons: Seating is a little cramped

The Details on Tsampa

Place Categories:

  • good tibetan food
  • clean fast service
  • great date place
  • quiet decoration
  • great atmosphere
  • very helpful staff
  • beautiful intimate setting
  • especially loved baked noodles
  • tasteless momos
  • great eating experience
  • great value
  • enjoy quiet meal
  • delicious steamed greens
  • dim lighting
  • nice space
  • good conversation
  • cold salad
  • not tasty chicken
  • good dumplings
  • wonderful balls
  • polite waitstaff
  • nice little spot
  • order amdo momo
  • good whateverit
  • order eggplants