History
Linking the words Garlic and Leek together, Garleek Kitchen was born and officially opened by Chef Tsering Phuntsok (Karma) in February 2018.
Because the Chef Tsering's background is Tibetan, he wanted to open the restaurant in Parkdale "Little Tibet," Toronto. However, he wanted to differentiate the restaurant from the others in the neighborhood by serving his favorite dishes from all over Asia - Tibet, Nepal, Sri Lanka, India, and Vietnam.
The Chef
Chef Tsering Phuntsok (Karma) has experience in both western and eastern cuisine. Before professionally studying the art of cooking, young Tsering often went to his Grandmother’s place to watch her cook. His passion began by seeing her love of cooking and, when he was old enough, his Grandma taught him her secrets’.
Later in his youth, Tsering joined Thrangu Rinpoche’s monastery. There, he mastered traditional Tibetan cuisine. While in the monastery, Tsering traveled to both Nepal and India, quickly mastering Nepalese and Indian flavours. Then in the early 2000’s, Tsering decided to leave the monastery and move to the United States where he continued to learn his culinary skills. Furthermore, while dating his now wife, Tsering cooked regularly with her first generation Italian family to master Italian pasta and sauces.
Tsering made his final move to Toronto in 2011 where he continued fine tuning his culinary skills and reinventing the flavours from his past. One of his first jobs when he moved to Toronto was making pho at Hue's Kitchen, a Vietnamese restaurant. He became friends with the owner of this restaurant. Before adding pho to the menu at Garleek Kitchen, requested and received her approval to use her family recipe.
He opened Garleek Kitchen to share his passion for food from around the world here in Toronto. You will find a unique, yet familiar, flavour in whatever dish you try at Garleek Kitchen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Garleek Kitchen?
Garleek Kitchen is a family-owned restaurant in Parkdale, Toronto, specializing in Himalayan and Asian fusion cuisine. Our menu brings together traditional Tibetan, Nepalese and Bhutanese flavours with dishes inspired by the diverse culinary experiences of our kitchen. We make many of our dishes in-house, including momos, sepen hot sauces, tsampa dishes, thukpa, tingmo and other Himalayan favourites.
What type of food does Garleek Kitchen serve?
Garleek Kitchen serves Tibetan, Nepalese, Bhutanese and Asian fusion food in Toronto. Our menu includes traditional Himalayan dishes alongside creative fusion dishes that reflect our family’s experiences and culinary traditions.
Where is Garleek Kitchen located?
Garleek Kitchen is located in Parkdale on Queen Street West in Toronto, Ontario. We are part of the Parkdale community and are proud to serve local residents, visitors and anyone looking to discover Himalayan cuisine in Toronto.
What is Himalayan cuisine?
Himalayan cuisine reflects the diverse food traditions of communities living throughout the Himalayan region. At Garleek Kitchen, our menu includes Tibetan, Nepalese and Bhutanese influences, with comforting dishes such as momos, thukpa, tingmo, shaphaley and tsampa.
Does Garleek Kitchen serve Tibetan food?
Yes. Tibetan food is an important part of Garleek Kitchen’s culinary identity. Our menu includes Tibetan-inspired favourites such as momos, tingmo, shaphaley, thukpa and tsampa dishes, prepared with flavours and traditions that are meaningful to our family.
Does Garleek Kitchen serve Nepalese food?
Yes. Garleek Kitchen serves a selection of Nepalese dishes, including momos, Nepalese chowmein and other Himalayan-inspired favourites. Our menu reflects the connection between Tibetan, Nepalese and broader Himalayan food traditions.
Does Garleek Kitchen serve Bhutanese food?
Yes. Bhutanese cuisine is also represented on our menu. We are proud to include Bhutanese flavours as part of our broader Himalayan and Asian fusion approach.
What are momos?
Momos are Himalayan dumplings traditionally filled with seasoned meat or vegetables and steamed until tender. At Garleek Kitchen, momos are one of our signature dishes and can also be enjoyed deep-fried. We recommend enjoying them with sepen, our house-made hot sauce.
What is sepen?
Sepen is a traditional Tibetan-style hot sauce made with chilies and aromatic ingredients. At Garleek Kitchen, our house-made sepen is a popular accompaniment for momos and other dishes. If you enjoy spicy food, sepen is a must-try.
What is tsampa?
Tsampa is a traditional Tibetan staple made from roasted barley flour. It has been an important part of Tibetan food culture for generations. At Garleek Kitchen, we use tsampa in dishes including our unique tsampa pancakes, bringing a traditional Himalayan ingredient into a creative breakfast experience.
What makes Garleek Kitchen different from other Toronto restaurants?
Garleek Kitchen combines authentic Himalayan food traditions with an Asian fusion approach in a family-owned Parkdale restaurant. Our menu is shaped by Tibetan, Nepalese and Bhutanese culinary traditions, while also reflecting the broader food experiences and cultural influences that have shaped our family.
Is Garleek Kitchen a good place to try Himalay food for the first time?
Absolutely. Our menu includes familiar options alongside traditional Himalayan dishes, making Garleek Kitchen a welcoming place for both people who already know Himalayan cuisine and those discovering it for the first time. Our team is happy to help guests choose dishes based on their preferences.
Does Garleek Kitchen serve breakfast?
Yes. Garleek Kitchen offers Himalayan-inspired breakfast options alongside familiar North American breakfast favourites. Our menu includes dishes such as our two-egg breakfast with your choice of bacon or sausage, served with aloo dum instead of traditional hash browns, as well as tsampa pancakes and other Himalayan-inspired breakfast dishes.
Is Garleek Kitchen family owned?
Yes. Garleek Kitchen is a family-owned restaurant. Family, food and cultural tradition are central to our approach, and we are proud to share Himalayan cuisine and our family’s story with the Parkdale and Toronto community.
Does Garleek Kitchen offer vegetarian options?
Yes. Our menu includes vegetarian options. Because menu items and availability can change, guests with specific dietary requirements are encouraged to speak with our team when ordering.
Where can I find Himalayan food in Toronto?
Garleek Kitchen is a Parkdale Toronto restaurant offering Tibetan, Nepalese, Bhutanese and Asian fusion cuisine. We are located on Queen Street West and welcome guests looking to explore Himalayan food and traditional dishes such as momos, thukpa, tingmo, shaphaley and tsampa.
What people say...
1
Deborah K, TripAdvisor
"This is the first time for Tibetan food and the first time at Garleek Kitchen. We were very pleasantly surprised! The food quality and taste is amazing for the price. You'll be able to take a taste for a few items and not break the bank!"