We are are very much enjoying with Nyima, Yeshi’s brother. He came over last month from New York, and Yeshi has been working hard to show him the best of Oxford and beyond.
Behind the scenes, Nyima is already firmly installed in the TT kitchens, where he turns out to be Yeshi in duplicate. He moved in and just took charge – this is why you see a lot more of Yeshi front of house these days.
The kitchen is Nyima’s second home – international borders don’t exist here. But feeling at home outside of these walls will take time. You’d think that the transition from the US to the UK would be quite simple, but it’s all in the details – how come the supermarkets don’t refrigerate eggs? What’s with all that plastic around our vegetables? And why are there no power sockets in the bathroom?
Then there are the things that are specific to Oxford. Nyima has never ridden a bicycle before – there’s some learning to do there. And why is Magdalen Road, where Taste Tibet is based, pronounced in such an unexpected way?
Luckily for Nyima, we are here to smooth the way and hopefully to shield him from some of the worst stuff.
Superficially, it’s been a warmer welcome for Nyima than it was for Yeshi. When Yeshi landed at Heathrow he was given a piece of paper at Border Control that instructed him to register “as an alien” at his local police station within the week. This terminology appears to have been dropped now, and so too the practice.
But it’s still easy to feel like an alien here, and discrimination is alive and well. Before card machines (and prior to setting up our business account, which happily accepts cash – for a fee), Yeshi always struggled to deposit our takings at the bank. When I went in, the cashier would receive the money no questions asked. When Yeshi tried, they’d ask him where he got it from. One time – exasperated – he replied, “I stole it.”
At least Yeshi and Nyima have each other now, and they are certainly making the most. Have you spotted our chefs working out early mornings down Aston’s Eyot? Never Trust A Skinny Chef, they say, but there’s definitely a few extra momos between them, and the kids have challenged their uncle to find himself a physique that’s more Oxford than NYC…
We’re open as usual this week. Our opening times are as follows:
Wednesday: 5-9.30pm (dinner only)
Thursday – Saturday: 12-3 (lunch) / 5-9.30pm (dinner)
This week’s menu is out now – check the website for full details. Come by for hot food take away, to dine in or to stock up on momos and curries from our freezers. Don’t forget to take home a jar of chilli or pickles too, and we do love to sign a cookbook!
Looking forward to seeing you,
Julie and Yeshi
Opening hours this week:
Weds: 5-9.30pm
Thurs – Sat: 12-3pm 🥢 5-9.30pm
☏ 01865 499318
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