I was six months pregnant when Yeshi first arrived in the UK. The two of us, together with my big bump, holed up in a tiny house in Jericho. During the daytime I worked a desk job at Oxford University Press. Yeshi spent his time searching out spices and other ingredients essential for recreating tastes of home.
I was the best-fed pregnant woman on the block. Every day I’d waddle home for lunch and there would be momos/currry/stir-fries. I’d spend my afternoons at my desk dreaming what dinnertime would bring.
Meanwhile, Yeshi had more time to himself than he’d ever had in his life (not for long – the baby’s arrival naturally spelled the end of this strange but idyllic period). He enjoyed the space that he had to ruminate and explore, but it was new to him.
In India, where we had met, he’d always lived side by side with other Tibetans. Back home in Tibet, three generations shared one family house (a fourth generation is currently in the cooking). Solitude happened up on the mountains sometimes, but never back at the ranch.
And yet the busy family home was not marked by conflict. Yeshi says his mother never raised her voice even once, despite having eight kids, and that there was no squabbling between the siblings either.
Before I saw it for myself, this was hard to believe. Then last year we spent two weeks living in Yeshi’s village in Tibet, and everything made sense.
Traditional Tibetan society is characterised by collectivism, and by behaviours and actions that encourage social responsibility. How different to our culture of individualism, in which independence and autonomy are prized above all. It is difficult to live together when we vie against each other, seeking identity and position. No wonder families and communities in the West are so fragmented.
Here in Oxford, our family operates Tibetan-style. We’re together with our two kids most of the time (our eldest wouldn’t let babysitters through the door). The children muck in at the restaurant and come with us to all the festivals. They bicker, but basically they’re best buds.
When there is harmony in the home, the school holidays pose no problem: the kids let us get on with our jobs, helping if they can. Of course there’s a dance that happens as everybody adjusts to accommodate one another, but everything just works.
How’s your half-term going? We’re here with the momos if you need some help. Open all the usual hours this week, as follows:
Weds – Fri: 5-9.30pm (dinner only)
Saturday: 12-3 / 5-9.30pm
Sunday: 12-3 / 5-9pm
This week’s menu is up on the website – check it. Come by for take-away, dine-in or you can order home delivery through Deliveroo.
Our freezers are also packed with all the nutritious meals you don’t have time to make yourselves – come have a forage.
Finally, if you’re in the market for TT discounts and freebies just subscribe to our weekly Substack to receive news and offers direct to your inbox.
Looking forward to seeing you all soon!
Julie and Yeshi
Opening hours this week:
Weds – Fri: 5-9.30pm
Saturday: 12-3pm 🥢 5-9.30pm
Sunday: 12-3pm 🥢 5-9pm
☏ 01865 499318
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