Thupka

Discovering Authentic Tibetan Thupka

Last year, I visited Kailash Momos  Restaurant on Woolwich Road in South London and enjoyed its’ authentic Tibetan cuisines especially Thupka. This is one of the eating place in London where you can  have authentic Tibetan cuisines such as  phingsha, laping, thentuk, tingmo, momos and of course thupka. In simple words Thukpa is nothing but a noodle soup prepared with  authentic Tibetan herbs and veggies. It is  usually served with meat and is really delicious with lean chicken, but the restaurant also serve its vegetarian avatar.

"Thuk" means heart in Tibetan dialect , they believe that Thupka  is a heart warming dish.

Wherever Tibetans moved from Tibet after Chinese aggression , they carried their culinary art, thus making Thupka popular in their adopted city . You may find authentic Thupka also in Maclodeganj where Dalaï Lama moved in early sixties. It is also equally popular in Nepal, North Eastern States of India. 

Some classic vegetables which create magic in this dish  are radish, tomatoes, spring onions and spinach leaves. 

If you do not find a restaurant close to your place serving Thupka , you may try to prepare it at home, and you can add few other vegetables of your choice as well. Garlic added to the Thukpa enhances flavor to the broth/ vegetable stock. It is a great recipe to have when you’re feeling sick or want something to warm you up on a cold day. 

What is required : 

*  1 teaspoon Mustard oil

*  2 Spring Onion (Bulb & Greens) , finely chopped 

*  4 cloves Garlic , finely chopped or crushed

*  2 Tomatoes , finely chopped

*  1 teaspoon Jeera  powder 

*  1/2 teaspoon Garam Masala 

*  1 teaspoon Whole Black  Peppercorns  freshly pounded

*  1 cup Spinach Leaves (Palak) , roughly chopped

*  2 Mooli (Radish) chopped

*  a bunch of Coriander  Leaves , chopped

*  1 Lemon juice

*  salt to taste

*  Ingredients for hand rolled noodles (Paape) : 2 cups Whole Wheat Flour, 1 Whole Eggs (optional) and Salt to taste 

How to prepare 

1. To make the Vegetarian Thukpa Recipe, first get all the ingredients ready for the soup.

2. Add the wheat flour, a pinch of salt into a large mixing bowl. Add little water at a time to make a firm and smooth dough. Cover the dough and let it rest for 10 minutes. Knead once again and divide the dough into 3 large portions. Roll each portion into very thin rounds, tossing on flour to prevent it from sticking. Cut the rolled portions into strips to make noodles and keep it aside.

3. The next step is to make the Thukpa in a single pot.

4. In a large saucepan, heat the mustard oil on medium heat. Add the onions and garlic and saute until you can smell the aromas coming through and the onions are translucent.

5. Once the onions are translucent, add the chopped tomatoes and cook them on low to medium heat until they become soft and mushy. Add the cumin powder, garam masala and pepper. Give it a stir.

6. Add the chopped spinach and radish and saute for a couple of minutes until it gets combined into the masala. Cover the pan and simmer for 2 to 4 minutes on low heat, until the radish and spinach get cooked through.To this add 3 cups of water and bring the Thukpa to a brisk boil.

7. Once it comes to a brisk boil, add the cut wheat strips (paapes) into the boiling Thukpa. Continue to boil the thukpa for 3 to 4 minutes. You notice the wheat strips start rising to the top.

8. Finally add the salt and lemon juice to taste and give it a stir. Turn off the heat. Stir in the freshly chopped coriander leaves and serve it hot as a one dish meal for a quick weeknight dinner.

9. Serve the Vegetarian Thukpa Recipe hot along with Vegetarian Momos. 

If you want to make its non-veg avatar , instead of vegetarian stock use  chicken stock . Add bite size pieces of chicken while sauté vegetables.