Pemako Kitchen owner Tsering Tachi with a plate of his popular chow mein. Staff photo.
A new Tibetan restaurant in Mimico is attracting some attention.
Pemako Kitchen, at 2416 Lake Shore Blvd. W., just west of Superior Avenue, has been open for about a year and features tasty traditional Tibetan dishes along with meals sprinkled with Indian and Chinese influences.
Owner and chef Tsering Tashi named the cosy restaurant after a region in Tibet where his parents grew up. The remote hilly region is one of the four in southeastern Tibet, where the Brahmaputra River descends into India.
Chef Tashi dreams came true after meeting His Holiness the Dalai Lama in India. Courtesy photo.
Tashi’s trek to Canada is an immigrant success story. He was one of 1,000 displaced refugees from Tibet sponsored by the Canadian government in 2013 to resettle in Ottawa and Toronto as a part of a federal program that allowed them to become permanent residents.
He is active in the Tibetan community and is proud of a photo of him meeting the Dalai Lama in India. His restaurant has pictures of the Dalai Lama, posters and photos that remind patrons of home.
He was resettled in Mimico by officials on arrival here and has worked his way up to finally open his restaurant, which has been a dream since childhood.
“Our food is not just about satisfying your hunger, but about nourishing your body and soul,” Tashi said. “We use only the freshest and healthiest ingredients to create dishes that are not only delicious but also good for you.”
The food at Pemako Kitchen is affordable, tasty and good as it made with fresh ingredients.
The dishes were tasty, fresh and cooked on the spot with love and care.
“We believe that healthy food can be tasty too,” he said. “You can taste the goodness in our food.”
Pemako Kitchen is among about 10 Tibetan restaurants that has emerged in the west-end in recent years as people are enjoying the unique tasteful and healthy dishes. Most residents are familiar with Mo Mos but there are other dishes.
The cozy restaurant is filled with Tibetan photos and momentos.
The menu includes the popular chow mein meat and vegetable dishes, assorted noodle dishes, a range of Mo Mos, delicious soups, Thali and Bhutanese cuisine. The filling dishes range from $10 to $15.
Tashi said he wants to help make Tibetan food more popular with Toronto food lovers. This City is known worldwide for its diverse restaurants and foods from all over the globe.
“I always wanted to open a restaurant,” he said. “I like food and to watch people enjoying our Tibetan food.”
There are more than 10,000 Tibetans in Canada, with most living in the Toronto area. Most have resettled in the Parkdale area with many living in South Etobicoke.