Exploring the Korean and Tibetan side of Delhi

Welcome to this blog post about the intriguing fusion of Korean and Tibetan culture in Delhi, India. Delhi, the nation’s largest city, is a cultural melting pot, making it a perfect location for anyone looking to learn about different cultures. The Korean and Tibetan communities have settled in Delhi, and their cultural impacts may be seen in the city’s food, clothes, and way of life. In this essay, we’ll look at the history, rituals, and traditions of both Korean and Tibetan cultures, as well as how they’ve merged in Delhi over time. Whether you’re a culture fan or simply interested, this piece will undoubtedly provide you with a fresh and enlightening viewpoint on the vibrant cultural tapestry of Delhi.

Here are our favourite some top notch places to visit in Delhi that will make you feel you are actually in Tibet or Korea. So, let’s get started!

MAJNU KA TILA

#majnukatila #mkt

We cannot talk about Tibetan and Korean culture without talking about Majnu Ka Tila.

Majnu Ka Tila (MKT) is a place or hub for Tibetan and Korean culture. This place doesn’t only offers you food that is true to it’s cuisine but also offers you multiple stores and shops from where you can purchase ready to eat food and snacks of Tibet and Korea.

Majnu ka Tila comes with excellent connectivity to various parts of the city. You can visit the locality by taking a metro, bus, cab, or driving your own vehicle. Vidhan Sabha Metro Station is the nearest metro station to Majnu ka Tila. The metro station is on the Yellow Line of the Delhi Metro. Majnu ka Tila also has a popular bus stop which is a 12-minute walk away. The bus transit lines 237, 244, 258,259, 333, 907.

As you enter the galis of MKT, you’ll see another world full of aesthetic tshirts, Monestry and is definitely a heaven for food bloggers. Further along the way, take a break from all eating and indulge your inner shopaholic with some retail therapy. You’ll find all sorts of casual clothing, dresses, and tees to shoes, and even stationery here starting at INR 100.

There’s plenty more to see and do along the way, and we’re sure you’ll come back with your bags full, happy stomachs, and many stories to tell.

MONESTRY

#monestry #monktemple

Monastery’s architectural marvel is really delightful to look at from the inside and outside, with those yellow gongs and pretty decorations adorning the place. The peace and serenity that this place exudes is just priceless and for us city dwellers, it’s a haven!

Apart from the monastery, there’s also a Buddhist temple that you must look out for nearby. Needless to say, this place is teeming with restaurants and cafes that mostly do Tibetan cuisine. You’ll also find a vast array of shops that offer Tibetan handicrafts, gadgets, clothes and lots more so club your visit shopping and eating spree.

SNACK SHOPS

#snackshops #koreansnacks #ricecakes

Korean culture is fully reflected here as several shops selling Korean products . The Main Street of Majnu Ka Tila, is a Lane full of snacks, socks and all the random things can be easily spotted here. It has everything from ramen, rice cakes, and all the things you’d need to make Korean food. Is is very budget friendly and has a good quality. Here you can get a flavour of a different world and it’s a lovely place to be.

MKT MARKET

#market #majnukatilamarket #mktmarket #koreanmarket #tibetanmarket

Influencers and shopaholics visit Majnu ka Tilla as it is known for its aesthetic fashion garments, footwear and jewellery that are considered to be major fashion goals. Other than trendy clothes and shoes, you can also buy handicrafts, books, shawls, tapestries, souvenirs and other knick-knacks. The market has wondrous objects of purchase available, ranging from neon touristy T-shirts to beaded anklets, cute flip-flops, denim, amazing shoes, leather products, trendy accessories and duplicate products of big brands like Gucci, Nike, Puma, Adidas etc.

KOJA

#koja

Location – Koja India Lifestyle Stores H 11 Majnu Ka Tilla, New Aruna Nagar, New Delhi, Delhi 110054

KOJA, a store full of adorable stationary and home decor, high end K-pop merch and top notch make up took our heart. All the products there were so adorable and sweet.

It’s Korean and Japanese store in Majnu Ka Tilla and we were surprised to see the innumerable treasures that it holds!

The products actually passed our ‘good quality’ check. Even the products are so classy, be it a small pencil, or a paper clip or even a cosmetic. Packaging, quality, designing, every thing being a 10/10 and getting all of it in a pocket friendly amount is what makes our day even happier.

LAPHING

#laphing

Location – Street shop in Majnu ka Tila
Rating – 5/5

A hot dipping sauce composed of chile, garlic, Sichuan peppercorns, vinegar, and soy sauce is frequently paired with the laphing noodles when they are served cold. The dish is renowned for its distinctive, soft-yet-chewy texture as well as for its hot, delicious sauce.

Laphing is a typical snack or light meal in Tibet and is a staple dish there. It is a simple and handy dish for individuals on the road because it is frequently offered by street vendors in little, transportable containers. It is also a well-liked meal served at festivals and other events.

Laphing is a wonderful and distinctive dish that provides a taste of Tibetan food and culture. Beyond Tibet, its ubiquity has increased, and it can now.

To try that we went to Laphing express they serve one of the best laphing in Majnu ka Tila and you may ask how I know that, well the amount of people who were standing there told us that story 1 plate of laphing costed around 50 ₹s. Overall, I loved it.

MOMOS

#momosofmajnukatila

Location – Street shop in Majnu ka Tila
Rating – 5/5

It’s a 100% true that Majnu ka Tila has the best momos. Momos that are every Delhiite’s favourite street food are the yummiest in MKT. Every Delhiite has their own favourite momos shop or stop but once you try the momos of MKT, your favourite stop will definitely have a replacement. When we tried their momos for the first time, we were amazed with the taste as it was so different.

We had momos from one of the local momos selling shops in MKT which was 11 pcs for Rs100 with an amazing tangy chilli red sauce and mayonnaise.

BUSAN KOREAN RESTAURANT

#busankoreanrestaurant #koreanrestaurant #koreanfood #ramen #kimchi #tteokbokki

Location– Ground Floor, House# 9B, Block # 10, Colony, Majnu Ka Tilla 110054, New Aruna Nagar, New Delhi, Delhi 110054
Rating– 4.5/5
Offers veg and non veg Korean food with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages

Busan Korean Restaurant, located in Majnu ka Tila in Delhi, India, is a popular destination for Korean food enthusiasts. The restaurant offers a variety of Korean dishes, including vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, and is known for its authentic Korean flavors and generous portion sizes.

In terms of ambiance and decor, Korean restaurants typically feature a simple and cozy atmosphere, with traditional Korean touches such as paper lanterns or Korean-style seating. The service at Busan Korean Restaurant is reported to be friendly and efficient.

As for pricing, Korean restaurants can range from affordable to upscale depending on the location, quality of ingredients, and level of service. At Busan Korean Restaurant, the prices are reported to be reasonable and offer good value for money.

Overall, if you’re a fan of Korean cuisine or are curious to try it out, Busan Korean Restaurant in Majnu ka Tila may be worth a visit.

We payed Rs 1124 for 3 dishes i.e kimchi, ramen, tteokbokki and 3 beverage that were coffee and 2 bottles of coke

BOBA TEA

#bobatea

Location – H.no. 147, Boba burst, BLOCK-7, New Aruna Colony, Majnu-ka-tilla, Timarpur, Delhi, 110054
Rating – 4.5/5
Offers beverages

Along with all the cuisines that we tried, we also tried and amazing and refreshing drink ‘Boba tea’ thatis a tea-based drink which is popular in Majnu Ka Tila. Bubble tea most commonly consists of tea accompanied by chewy tapioca balls called boba.

Boba Burst is a small shop that offers absolutely refreshing bubble tea that you have to try out right away. They offer a number of milk-based flavours. Their Bubble Tea is budget-friendly too! We got ours for Rs 130 only.

KALSANG CAFÉ

#Tibetanfood #Ramen #Thukpa #Shabalay #Tingmo #Momos

Location- House No. 18 & 19, New Camp Majnu Ka Tilla, New Aruna Nagar, Delhi, 110054
Rating– 4/5
Offers veg and nonveg Tibetan food with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages

In Delhi’s Majnu ka Tila neighbourhood, the Kalsang Café is a well-known Tibetan eatery. Together with a selection of Chinese and Indian dishes, the restaurant is renowned for delivering authentic Tibetan cuisine. The restaurant’s modest décor and inviting seats create a warm and laid-back vibe.

Momos, thukpa, shabalay, and tingmo, some of the most well-known Tibetan cuisine, are among the many dishes on the Kalsang Cafe’s menu. Particularly popular with the audience are the momos, which come in a variety of flavours including chicken, pork, and vegetables. Also, the eatery serves a variety of Chinese foods, including fried rice, noodles, and Manchurian dishes and wall decor. The personnel of Kalsang Cafe is generally praised for their prompt, courteous service, friendliness, and willingness to assist clients in selecting dishes depending on their preferences.

Kalsang Café is regarded as having reasonable prices because the majority of its dishes are under INR 300. A set meal option is also available at the restaurant, which is a fantastic chance to try a range of foods for a fair price.

Our order of dumplings, sticky rice, which we ate with thupka, and ramen, which we also ordered, resulted in a total bill of 935. The establishment is aesthetically pleasing and has a very cosy atmosphere.

Generally speaking, whether you enjoy Tibetan food or are seeking for a comfortable and reasonably priced restaurant in Majnu ka Tila, Kalsang Cafe is definitely worth a visit. The restaurant’s authentic Tibetan dishes, cozy ambiance, and friendly service make it a popular choice among locals and tourists alike.

AKAMA HANDICRAFTS

#OneStopShop #TibetanHandcrafts

Location – Majnu Ka Tilla, New Aruna Nagar, New Delhi, Delhi 110054

Akama is a Tibetan Shop, which is a one stop shop for all handicrafts, tapestries, books and shawls.If it’s unique silver jewellery you are looking for, or pretty stationary or even beautiful shawls, you’ll definately find them here for sure. As soon as you enter the store, your eyes will catch the aesthetic pouches and jewellery that aren’t just beautiful but also pocket friendly. You can also find medium sized totes here with super funky and gen-z quotes written on it. You can also have a look upon their collection of traditional Tibetan dresses. They also have beautiful showpieces, home decors and crockery items. You can also shop Darjeeling and Assamese tea from the shop. Overall, it is indeed a one stop shop for all where you can find anything and everything that you may need for yourself or for your house.

If you wanna know more about Majnu Ka Tila, check out this YouTube video – https://youtu.be/GJ_k3OIYdpM

DALGRAK RESTAURANT

#dalgrakrestro #koreanfood #rameyon

Location– A25, Vikram Vihar, Lajpat Nagar IV, Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi, Delhi 110024
Rating– 4.5/5
Offers veg and non-veg both
Does not offer alcoholic drinks

You can reach Dalgrak restaurant by taking a metro to Lajpat Nagar metro station (pink line). Another way to reach the restaurant is by taking bus number 410, 410STL, 413, 433, 447, AC-NCR, CBD2(-).

Dalgrak restaurant situated in the Korean Cultural Centre of Delhi is one of the most authentic Korean restaurants of Delhi who sell amazing Korean food with amazing ambience. The place is usually crowded by k-pop and Korean culture fans. Dalgrak offers a wide range of Korean food and beverages with all the authentic Korean ingredients sourced from Korea. You can sense the aroma of Korean cuisine the moment you enjoy the restaurant. Price of all the dishes here may seem to be a little sky-high but with the authentic experience that one gets, it’s all worth the money.
Our order of one ramen noodles costed us Rs 800 + taxes.

LAPHING WALA

#laphingwala #laphing #waiwai #waiwaichat

Location -Block UB, Jawahar Nagar, Kamla Nagar, Delhi, 110007
Rating – 4/5
Offers veg and non veg Tibetan street food

The route to the shop is either by metro, or by bus. You can take a metro towards Vishva Vidhyalaya metro station i.e yellow line. Or if you want to travel by bus, you can take bus number 142, 156, 181, 181A, 181B, 913.

This Korean and Tibetan street food shop housed in Kamla Nagar is Delhi’s first and one of the most famous Laphing serving shops. They offer delicious Laphing at a very affordable price. We tried Wai wai chat and Laphing and both were just for Rs 50 each and it was all worth the money. They offer plenty more dishes such as soups, chicken wai wai, thukpa and even momo soup. Laphing wala has already become a favourite stop for all the Tibetan food lovers. Even we would definitely go back to it.

KOREA STREET FAIR

#koreanfair #streetfair #koreastreetfair

Location– 32nd Avenue, Gurugram
Dates– 21-23 April (3PM -12AM)

To reach the destination, you can take a metro towards Lok kalyan marg (yellow line) or you can also go by bus.

Explore Korea’s distinct flavours by embarking on a gastronomic tour and indulging in a variety of authentic Korean meals that are sure to delight your taste buds. Discover the secrets of Korean beauty and skincare with a variety of products. Be amazed by traditional Korean music and dance, as well as modern-day K-pop performances that highlight the artists’ vitality and brilliance. The event’s grand finale will include breathtaking Taekwondo performances that emphasise the martial art’s emphasis on speed, agility, and strength, with beautifully executed kicks, jumps, and spins.
The Korea Street Fair 2023 is a must-attend event, so mark your calendars and prepare for an incredible cultural experience that will leave you wanting more.

These were some of the most highly recommended places to visit in Delhi if you are a fan of Korean or Tibetan culture. All these places have proper Korean and Tibetan aesthetics which will make you believe that you are visiting the countries.

감사합니다
(Thankyou)