Marks and Spencer (or Marks Expensive as Yeshi likes to call it) does very well out of our trips back to Tibet. Yeshi empties the sock aisle each time, and he takes a good chunk out of any thermals stocks as well. There are no shops in his family’s village, so durable, premium cotton garments are hard to come by without a trek to the big city.
Of all the treasures Yeshi brings, quality underwear is arguably the most warmly received, but he also gifts about a dozen pairs of shoes each visit. Out on the Plateau good footwear is essential, but again – our relatives don’t have access to this. Yeshi has a list of everybody’s shoe size and he buys up walking boots, cosy Uggs and even fashion trainers for younger members of the family.
Once he’s unloaded all the new stuff, out comes the old: thick coats that our kids have grown out of, a woolly hat someone left in the restaurant that went unclaimed, watches we once wore but no longer favour (these are received with particular excitement), and so on.
Finally, the clothes off Yeshi’s own back. I’ve got used to this now but I found it peculiar at first. He brings home only the outfit he travels in: every other article of clothing is shared between members of the family in Tibet. I had to stop myself vetting what went into the suitcase this trip, accepting that come the summer there will always be a festival stall that can provide a new T-shirt or warm sweater. The truth is that we get too attached to this stuff, and it’s nicer to share it.
By now you may be asking what makes it into the bag home to Oxford. Perhaps you’ve already guessed it. The only thing Yeshi really wants from Tibet is food, and for the return leg of the journey his suitcases are full to bursting with scrumptuous edibles from the village. Dried mushrooms – a myriad different varieties, yerma (Sichuan) peppercorns, dad’s homemade ground chilli, and then a load of stuff that’s probably illicit alongside: dried yak cheese, meat and fruit (fresh and preserved) from the family orchards.
We mustn’t get too attached to this either, and luckily in the quantities he’s brought he is able to share generously among friends and family over here. Some of this produce also makes its way into our own dishes, so next time you have a momo don’t forget to enjoy a dollop of house sepen on the side: this moreish dip contains yerma from home, and now you know the road it has travelled.
This is our last week open before we close for festivals, and it’s going to be a sunny one! Make sure you come and enjoy some of the spoils. We’re open all the usual hours, 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.
A heads up that we’ll be open the weekend of the Magdalen Road Food Festival (7th June) and there may be some dates in July as well – watch this space. Otherwise this is your last chance to grab momos before the restaurant closes for the summer.
Freezer food: we’ve been refilling over the last week and we now have good stocks of all your favourite dishes – come stuff your own freezers!
Hope to see you before the restaurant closes. Thank you so much for keeping tabs on your open/closed open/closed local neighbourhood restaurant.
Till 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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