Tsampa

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

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(212) 614-3226
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Tsampa - New York, NY
Tsampa - New York, NY
Tsampa - New York, NY
Tsampa - New York, NY
Tsampa - New York, NY
Tsampa - New York, NY
Tsampa - New York, NY
Reviews
( 15 )
( 9 )
( 1 )
( 4 )
( 0 )

Best

The fish is so darn good!!!!! (1) Fish or Shrimp Tempura: Perfect. Just perfect!

Worst

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. Pros: atmos...

The Fish 10/20/2011

The fish is so darn good!!!!! (1) Fish or Shrimp Tempura: Perfect. Just perfect! more
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Unfortunate disappointment 6/1/2010

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. Pros: atmosphere/interior Cons: food more
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Good food and atmosphere 4/16/2010

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 more
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Everything is very fresh and tasty. Great vegetarian opti... 9/9/2008

GarrettPalm Provided by Partner
Everything is very fresh and tasty. Great vegetarian options that have a great flavor. The Tse Shogo Ngopa is my usual - lots of garlic, fresh gree... more
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Acceptable quality, but nothing stood out.... 9/9/2008

susan Provided by Partner
Acceptable quality, but nothing stood out. So-called "spicy" things had no heat whatsoever, at least on my visit. more
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Acceptable quality, but nothing stood out.... 6/20/2008

Acceptable quality, but nothing stood out. So-called "spicy" things had no heat whatsoever, at least on my... more
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I'd definetely come back... 4/18/2008

The food is delicious, specially the chicken momo's. I haven't made reservations and was immediately seated. more
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Calming - beautiful food... 3/30/2008

Wonderful greens, wonderful food, and beautiful atomosphere. I had the Thukpa - noodle soup. A peaceful experience. more
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Sometimes you feel like a monk ... 2/15/2008

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 more
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Everything is very fresh and tasty. Great vegetarian opti... 7/5/2007

Everything is very fresh and tasty. Great vegetarian options that have a great flavor. The Tse Shogo Ngopa... more
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Great place for groups 11/13/2006

Had a birthday dinner for about 20 ppl here on Sat night and the service was great. We started early (6pm), so they were willing to let us do indiv ordering instead of the usual prix fixe. Even though we took a long time to get settled they didn't rush us at all. We easily fit into 3 large tables in the back room. The back room was really great - cozy, intimate, and private enough yet still connected to the rest of the restaurant. Inexpensive dishes, decent food. I admit I didn't *love* my tibetian curry, but generally everyone seemed happy with their meals. I sampled someone's salmon dish, which was very tasty. (Portions could be a big bigger though.) Also, the owner, Chimie(?) was very easy to work with in setting up the event. Good hospitality goes a long way in this city. I was also very appreciative when I forgot a bag and the restaurant held onto it for me until I came to reclaim it. Anyway - I would come back here for the atmosphere and price alone. I could see it being a great place for a date too! Pros: private room good for groups, hospitality/service, atmosphere Cons: portions more
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Great Place 10/2/2006

Everything about Tsampa is fantastic. The food was wonderful, and the menu was wide enough to satisfy vegetarian and dieters. The service was prompt and pleasant. The ambience was great; decor and lighting is zen chic and the noise level was low. Finally, the place is inexpensive. Really a great value and a great experience. I always reccomend this to friends looking for a great date place, group place, or simply a great meal. more
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I love their amazingly tasty food served in a room with romantic ambiance. 8/8/2006

They serve some of the most delicious vegetarian and even vegan dishes here. You can ask for spicy or mild based on your personal choice. The dishes have very generous portions and you will be tempted to try them all! Great appetizers and salad! Also a great place for a party as they were very accomodating to our large party of 20! Service was delightful and attentive. more
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Poor food quality and service 2/17/2006

Recently went there for dinner with my wife. The ambience was better than I expected but it stopped there. Within 3 minutes after we sat the waiter was hovering over us to get our food order. In addition to the weak service, the food which we had high expectations for was bland and probably cooked/undercooked a few hours in advance. Pros: good ambience Cons: food, service more
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nice little spot to linger over some apps 11/3/2005

Good vegetables, dumplings, fresh juices. So pretty and mellow and romantic. Fast service, friendly staff, clean bathroom. more
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Why Tibetan Cuisine Tastes Bland 9/25/2005

When I visited Tsampa years ago I didn't understand why many dishes tasted bland. Instead of writing a negative review, I let it be thinking who am I to judge Tibetan tastes in food. It wasn't until I returned from Tibet recently that I realized why Tibetan cuisine can be bland. The reason is that when you are living at high altitudes--especially 4000 meters and up--you just don't want heavily spiced foods in your stomach. At high altitudes one has less of an appetite quite possibly because it is more difficult to properly digest foods. For this reason the Tibetans have traded horses with the Chinese for centuries in exchange for tea, which aids proper digestion. So, next time you wonder about the blandness of certain Tibetan cuisine, remember that when you live at 5000 meters above sea level, Tibetan cuisine will be the only thing that you are craving! Pros: Ambience, Service, Food more
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This is far better than blah asian spots 8/7/2005

Went with a friend for dinner. Started with the chicken dumplings (momo), which were rather bland: now I know why they serve a hot sauce with them. We also had the specialty appetizer, these small stuffed balls, which were wonderful! I had the Sherpa chicken dish, which was a new experience for my pallet: the spices, potatoes, chicken, and bread all worked wonderfully together. The ambiance was very relaxing, and the staff was very helpful (although it took a while to get the check). For a new take on Asian food, enjoy a night this gem. Pros: Good Food, Fair Prices, Good Service Cons: Mediocre momo, Dull dumplings more
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Beautiful setting, decent food, so-so service. 7/22/2005

Had a late-night dinner there on Friday, and while the decor is fabulous, we waited a long time for our check. Refills were also scarse. However, I'd definitely go back! The food was good, and it's a great intimate setting for a date. Pros: Peaceful setting Cons: Slow service more
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Wonderful Tibetan food in romantic setting 7/20/2005

My boyfriend and I went for dinner, and we were impressed. We order iced chai, yogurt drink, amdo momo, baked noodles, and eggplants. 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). Tsampa really shined for the entrees though. The sauces were amazing, with depth, flavor, warmth, and complemented the food perfectly. I especially loved the noodles, as it's chewy and different from everything else I've eaten. The serving size is hearty, with quite a vegetarian selection as well. The food was a great value at $10 for entree and $5 for appetizer (ignore the $$$). The decoration was perfect for a date, very romantic and quiet, and the waitstaff polite. I didn't experience waiting time as we went on a weekday. I highly recommend this to anyone. I'd rate this 9.5. Pros: Awesome food, Great value, Ambience Cons: Momo not as great? more
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Healthy and homemade 2/23/2005

Tsampa has very wholesome healthy food thats is absolutely delicious. They use free range chicken, organic vegetables, and the paycheck was rather low compared to other ""organic"" places I've tried. I loved the baked noodles and the sherpa khala (potatoes and chicken served with delicious bread!) Do order the chai- its gingery, milky and warm. Their dumplings have a LOT of chicken in them. Delivery wasn't the fastest, but the food was still hot so I won't complain. Service in the restaurant is also prompt and kind. Highly recommended for the organic eater. more
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Menu for Tsampa


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Editorial

  • 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...

  • 7/18/2005 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Daily, 5pm-11:30pm
  • Neighborhoods: East Village, Downtown
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