Limbu pani is refreshing and spicy.
The other day I tried out a couple of plates in Himalayan Heights from Jeff Orlick’s Ambassador Program. It was an incredibly, incredibly hot day. So I was gladdened to see a sign in Gangjong Kitchen that read “Beat the heat: Limbu Pani, Lassi, Changkhol Shake.” ‘What’s limbu pani?”, I asked Jeff. “It’s a spicy lemonade, really refreshing,” he said. So we each ordered one.
Limbu pani means simply “lemon water,” in Hindi but as Jeff mentioned this is no simple Country Time. (Incidentally Gangjong is a Tibetan restaurant, but the Indian influence crops in items like kulfi,lassi, and the use of curry in some dishes.) The addition of spices like pepper and cumin make this tart and spicy beverage strangely refreshing. What makes it even stranger is the use of kala namak, which lends a sulfurous note. Perhaps I’ll go back later today, and try out one of those changkhol shakes.
Here’s what I’d like to know: What are you eating and or drinking to keep your cool in this first heat wave of summer? Tell me in the comments or hit me on the Twitter, @JoeDiStefano.
Lots and lots of ices/sorbets and unsweetened iced tea.
Chilled barley tea (from any Korean/Japanese store…).
It’s like all-natural Gatorade….my tennis partners + I are guzzling it at the Astoria Courts on these hot days!!
Beating the heat by eating more heat! Phayul’s momos and spicy side dishes are amazing to balance out one’s “qi.” If Sichuan peeps can do it year round, I certainly can try too! I believe I spotted you coming into Phayul tonight to tell the wait staff that they will be on the Travel channel tomorrow…what an honor to see you (if it was in fact you). Thank you so much for your amazing entries!
JJ that was indeed me!! Thanks for your kind words. Next time don’t be shy say hi!
The iced misugaru @ Cafe Originale
(Northern Blvd, Flushing – a door or two down from Hansol Nutrition Center)
Wine chicken and Kao fu @ Kung Fu Xiao Long Bao (Flushing/ Qnsborough Hills)
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