Tsampa

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.

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User Reviews (26)

ambiance	100.0% positive	“love their amazingly tasty food served in a room with romantic ambiance.” “Good food and atmosphere” “Had a late-night dinner there on Friday, and while the decor is fabulous, we waited a long time for our check.” “The ambiance was very relaxing, and the staff was very helpful (although it took a while to get the check).” “Wonderful Tibetan food in romantic setting” “The atmosphere is great with a huge Dalai Lama picture on the wall sending good vibes to everybody in the restaurant.” “The decoration was perfect for a date, very romantic and quiet, and the waitstaff polite.” “The food is great and the atmosphere is very cozy, dimmed lights, candles, very nice.” “The ambience was great; decor and lighting is zen chic and the noise level was low.”
drinks	100.0% positive	“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).” “We order iced chai, yogurt drink, amdo momo, baked noodles, and eggplants.” “An affordable wine list.”
food quality	90.0% positive	“loved the baked noodles and the sherpa khala (potatoes and chicken served with delicious bread!)” “The food is great and the atmosphere is very cozy, dimmed lights, candles, very nice.” “especially loved the noodles, as it's chewy and different from everything else I've eaten.” “Wonderful greens, wonderful food, and beautiful atomosphere.” “I've gone through about half the menu to date, and so far haven't come across a single bad dish.” “always reccomend this to friends looking for a great date place, group place, or simply a great meal.” “The food is delicious, specially the chicken momo's.” “The food was wonderful, and the menu was wide enough to satisfy vegetarian and dieters.” “They serve some of the most delicious vegetarian and even vegan dishes here.” “The chicken curry I tried was also not tasty, nor was the actual food amount enough.” “Inexpensive dishes, decent food.” “Wonderful Tibetan food in romantic setting” “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 food was good, and it's a great intimate setting for a date.” “The food at Tsampa is delicious!” “We order iced chai, yogurt drink, amdo momo, baked noodles, and eggplants.” “Delicious momos (dumplings) and a cold salad for appetizers and noodle dishes with chicken and vegetables for the main course.” “Good vegetables, dumplings, fresh juices.” “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).” “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.” “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.” “Good food and atmosphere” “Calming - beautiful food.” “Beautiful setting, decent food, so-so service.” “The food was a great value at $10 for entree and $5 for appetizer (ignore the $$$).” “sampled someone's salmon dish, which was very tasty.” “The sauces were amazing, with depth, flavor, warmth, and complemented the food perfectly.” “love their amazingly tasty food served in a room with romantic ambiance.” “know good Tibetan food, and this sadly just isn't it.” “Rather, these beautiful Tibetan ladies have made hearty Tibetan food delicate with a Japanese-inspired flair.”
menu variety	50.0% positive	“The food was wonderful, and the menu was wide enough to satisfy vegetarian and dieters.” “I've gone through about half the menu to date, and so far haven't come across a single bad dish.”
overall	100.0% positive	“always reccomend this to friends looking for a great date place, group place, or simply a great meal.” “The atmosphere is great with a huge Dalai Lama picture on the wall sending good vibes to everybody in the restaurant.” “could see it being a great place for a date too!” “Also a great place for a party as they were very accomodating to our large party of 20!”
service	100.0% positive	“The service is good too.” “Fast service, friendly staff, clean bathroom.” “Service was delightful and attentive.” “Beautiful setting, decent food, so-so service.” “Had a birthday dinner for about 20 ppl here on Sat night and the service was great.” “Pleasant staff.” “The service is excellent, with my water being refilled every 10 minutes :-)” “The lighting is nice and dim, the set up is very peacful, the staff is sooo sweet and attentive, and the food is really really good.” “The ambiance was very relaxing, and the staff was very helpful (although it took a while to get the check).”
value	100.0% positive	“The food was a great value at $10 for entree and $5 for appetizer (ignore the $$$).” “The atmosphere is great with a huge Dalai Lama picture on the wall sending good vibes to everybody in the restaurant.” “Really a great value and a great experience.” “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.” “An affordable wine list.”
wait time	100.0% positive	“The service is excellent, with my water being refilled every 10 minutes :-)” “Had a late-night dinner there on Friday, and while the decor is fabulous, we waited a long time for our check.”

06/01/10

Unfortunate disappointment

by gaiamcraft

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

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04/16/10

Good food and atmosphere

by george n

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

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04/18/08

I'd definetely come back...

by lorenasfm

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.

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03/30/08

Calming - beautiful food...

by talluhla

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

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02/15/08

Sometimes you feel like a monk ...

by albyatlarge

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.

Tsampa

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Editor's Tips

06/01/10

Unfortunate disappointment

by gaiamcraft

04/16/10

Good food and atmosphere

by george n

04/18/08

I'd definetely come back...

by lorenasfm

03/30/08

Calming - beautiful food...

by talluhla

02/15/08

Sometimes you feel like a monk ...

by albyatlarge

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