[pink, frothy, savory]
New Naimat Kada
124 Lexington Ave (between 28th and 29th streets)
New York, NY
212-400-1166
In the belly: Vegetarian Samosa and Kashmiri Chai
Rating: Chai is very lickable.
If only the samosas at New Naimat Kada were a little bit tastier. A small Pakistani joint in Murray Hill, New Naimat Kada proudly displays platters of masala-ed fish and chicken, kababs, and two to three vegetarian items under a glass counter that greets customers. I’ve heard most of this food is quite good. The other night, I got a sizable, hot samosa from NNK, along with a cup of salty Kashmiri chai. For just $2.50, this could be the perfect hold-me-over snack, or a very cheap, very tasty breakfast/lunch/dinner. Sadly, other than the fried pastry, there is nothing enjoyable about these samosas- the potato filling has no seasoning or spice, and the filling is generally what differentiates good samosas from the rest. These were boring samosas.
The Kashmiri Chai, on the other hand, is fantastic. It is a luxurious drink: coral-pink, lightly salty, and scented with ground pistachios, almonds, and cardamom. It’s always hot, thick, and delicious- and after the first cup, most people tend to get over their hesitation regarding salty tea. I’m excited for the evenings to become brisk and cool, and the leaves to turn crispy and red. I’ll be walking down 28th street, a steaming cup of Kashmiri chai warming my hands.
Veg Samosa: $1; Kashmiri Chai: $1.50
Oh yum!
My favorite NYC chai is at Kabobeesh II (I think that’s its name) in Jackson Heights. It’s on 74th at the entrance to the subway, right across from the Eagle Theater, with a big orange awning. Nothing better on a cold day!
Hi therealpotato,
that sounds like a trip I should make! Maybe after catching a movie…
Definitely!
I’m headed up that way soon; I’ve been invited to a Punjabi wedding in late October and I need to find something to wear. I figure if I can’t find something in Jackson Heights, I won’t find it anywhere. My good friend lives up there so we’ll get to eat ourselves silly and shop, yay!
This post led me to your blog (which I’m loving) and I’m delighted–I got addicted to pink Kashmiri chai at a teahouse in Seattle in my college days, and have missed it ever since. I’ll be headed to Lexington before the week’s out.
Hey there,
This Kashmiri Chai’s real name is “Sheer Chai” or “Noon’e Chai” in Kashmiri (‘noon’e’ meaning salty). Kashmiris usually drink it in the afternoon or after a meal to help with digestion. They often add “malai” or the cream that forms over cooled boiled milk and then Sheer Chai tastes heavenly (I only drink it if it has malai on top!). We also add something called “feeni” (which is something like vemicelli, but much softer) to the chai.
Just a brief warning – it is salty (salt and baking soda are used) and therefore not healthy for hypertensive patients.
Anyone interested in the recipe, please check out:http://koshursaal.com/recipe/sheer_chai.html
i live in dubai. i have brought kashmir along with me.
every morning unless i dont drink kashmiri tea (nooni chai) my day doesnt start. this is the secret behind my mood and it keeps my mind fresh all the time.
that is it.
Good to hear that you got Noonchai with you.
I am also fond of this chai.
Regards
Nazir Bhat