This archive report was first published on 7 December 2019.
On a recent weekend, the Westgate Mall in Westlands played host to a unique culinary experience as the Indian High Commission and Chinese embassy partnered with Pishi to bring together the best of Indian and Chinese cuisine at a food expo.
As I walked into the event, I was immediately hit with the aroma of food, which only added to my excitement. However, I soon found myself at a loss, unsure of where to start or what to try first.
My eyes landed on a blue band banner, and I was intrigued to learn that they had a presence at the expo. I was offered a serving of bread paired with beef brawns and mayonnaise, which I found to be a strange but interesting combination.
Next, I visited the Hui (Panari) Chinese Restaurant, where I met Geoffrey Nyakundi, a manager at the restaurant. He highly recommended the egg leek dumplings, which he described as a unique dish that some people take as a main meal while others have as dessert.
The dumplings were made with manda (samosa sheets), eggs, and leeks, which were mixed together and steamed in aesthetically appealing wooden steamers.
Another highlight of the event was the display of fast food and Chinese starters at Chow paty, a pure vegetarian restaurant. Their vegetable roll was particularly delicious, and I was impressed by the variety of options available.
However, not all dishes were to my taste. I was offered a cookie made of rice flour, pumpkin, and simsim by Tuche, a chef from Xiang Restaurant. While he assured me that it was a favourite at the restaurant and healthy, I found the taste to be foreign and tacky.
As the day drew to a close, I decided to try out some beverages. Unfortunately, my choice of Chinese green tea was a bad decision, as it was bitter and tasted grassy.
Overall, the food expo at Westgate Mall was a unique and exciting experience that offered a taste of India and China. While not all dishes were to my liking, I was impressed by the variety of options available and the enthusiasm of the vendors.
