What’s that smell? It’s the new Himalayan Aroma restaurant that just opened in Corona! With its extensive menu that blends distinct traditional Nepali dishes with rich and varied Indian cuisine, each bite is an elevated peak of flavor, with layers of spices and fragrances that rise and fall as the Himalayan mountains do, bringing one on a voyage of taste that is both pungent and comforting. On this journey, you may arrive at one destination, and that is the understanding that the Himalayan Aroma plates out peak dishes.
Nepalese food, also known as the cuisine of the Himalayas, embraces the culinary customs of both Tibet and India, as China and India border Nepal.
When I first entered the restaurant, I was greeted by two welcoming servers and seated immediately. While waiting for my orders, I was served a complementary dahl soup, a Nepalese culinary staple. The service and workers were great, and the food came out very quickly, yet it was also quality food.
The menu consisted of a wide variety of dishes— from their Nepalese specials, like Momos and chillis— to tandoori, masala, and curry dishes. From this large variety, I decided to try one of their specialty dishes and two of their Indian dishes. I ordered their chicken chili, which consisted of pan-fried marinated chicken strips with bell pepper and fresh tomato—onion cooked with Himalayan sauce. This plate was a unique fusion of Indian and Chinese food and a perfect balance of sweet and spicy. The bell peppers and red onions enhanced the fresh taste of the dish, and the Himalayan sauce added an umami flavor to the crisp-tenderness of the chicken. This dish was very different from many dishes I’ve tasted before. Still, it was incredibly palatable and worth a try, especially for people who prefer a slightly sweet but salty dish that is moderately spicy.
Additionally, for each dish, you are given a choice between mild, medium, and spicy, and for this dish, I ordered a medium spice level. However, because Nepalese foods tend to be less spicy than Indian food, I would recommend ordering the highest spice level for those who enjoy a good kick to their food. On the other hand, these spices are made up for with their focus on enhancing other sour, sweet, and savory flavors.
The next dish ordered was a classic Indian dish: butter chicken. One thing about me is that I am not only an Indian food enthusiast but a butter chicken enthusiast, more specifically. I’ve tried butter chicken at every Indian restaurant I’ve been to, and the Himalayan Aroma has made it to the top of my list. The butter chicken consisted of premium chicken cooked in the Tandoor oven and then cooked in butter sauce. The chicken was succulent, and marinated in a mixture of spices, yogurt, and tomato sauce that blended taste and a velvet texture. Alongside this delicious combination of a salty and sweet flavor, a slight hint of a smoky sear from the tandoor brings that warming flavor profile. It was served with a side of warm, fluffy naan and perfectly steamed basmati rice, which was not too firm and not too mushy. I would recommend ordering the garlic naan, but the buttered naan was also very flavorful and a delicious addition to the meal.
Lastly, I ordered the Chicken Nirvana, a boneless chicken cooked with coconut milk and a special sauce. Spices like red chilli powder, coriander powder, and turmeric powder blended with ginger, garlic paste, and coconut oil provide an aromatic fragrance and a rich and flavorful taste. This dish was perfectly milky, nutty, and slightly tangy, elevating the unlikely ingredient of coconut to a state of culinary excellence. Like all other dishes, the chicken was tender, well-marinated by the sauce, and served with naan or basmati rice.
Tasting the Himalayan Aroma was a satisfying journey toward peak Nepalese cuisine. I absolutely recommend trying this new restaurant located at Hidden Valley Parkway in Corona. When visiting Hidden Valley, remember that you can always travel to the Himalayas!
