Shim shim- the joint serving oriental beef dishes

“You know those little kids ? Whenever they taste something tasty, they run around shouting Shimbu shimbu, meaning tasty tasty …. ” she said. “So what does it mean ??? “Being the idiot that I am, was my immediate question. “Arre baba, shim shim came from that shimbu shimbu. They’re kids and can’t pronounce the full word. all they could utter was shim shim” and she seemed to take a walk back into her past. She’s Doma Wang, the momo queen of Kolkata and the proud owner of Blue Poppy and Shim shim- the new-go-to-place for beef in town. And here’s my experience.

Blue Poppy is my long time favorite for momo, but with time preferences changed. And especially, after I’ve tasted momos handmade by Doma di, I rarely went back to Blue Poppy for momo. Their Ema Desi is still one of my favorite though. But however, this story is on Shim Shim, the lady’s dream project, so let’s not deviate from there.

However, if you want to check my experience at Blue Poppy, please check here 

Shim shim is tucked inside the lanes of Park Circus, rather where 4 no bridge lands. Kolkata being one of the most cosmopolitan cities in India, we have an abundance of joints serving good beef dishes, but rarely any place which serves it in chinese style. And intelligently, this joint came in to fill that gap.

You can check the location on Google map here

Pic taken from Shim shim management

The inside is regular, nothing over the top. It’s having the basics, AC, comfortable chairs and warm hospitality. On one wall, there is this huge pic of Potala Palace and others nicely colored with brick color. Nothing fancy, but basics are taken cared off.

Beef momo

The place boasts of its oriental beef dishes, and off course being THE Doma Wang, of her famed Tibetan delicacies. Before you even check the menu-card, order for the momo (whichever meat you’re fond of). The momos are freshly steamed here, once the ordering is done and actual meat fat is used in feelings. So, as you take your first bite, be slightly careful. The molten fat tends to ooze out. I prefer the kothay over momos, but somehow last time, finished them before clicking a pic. Unlike Blue Poppy, the momos here are so typically doma Wang styled- freshly made, soft to the core and having less spice inside, so that the taste of the meat remains intact.

Beef momo

The unusual thukpa

The next dish had to be the Thukpa. I used to love this feeling soup from a place called Tibetan Delight near Bishop Lefroy Road in south Kolkata. And though it was a pretty low-key place, it used to keep one hungry bong pretty happy during his college days. The thukpa here uses minced meat and the whole broth is garlic flavored, which makes it stand out. Overall, recommended.

Beef thukpa

Beef Kofta

The next dish which I tend to order here is Beef Kofta. Maybe this dish was designed keeping in mind those super brats shouting Shimbu Shimbu. But actually, these are deep fried beef balls (moderately spiced) and with a sprinkling of lime edge, they become super tasty. They work great as a filler while the main course comes.

Beef kofta

Meat rice bowls

Luckily, these guys have designed some one bowl meals for loners like myself and they’ve got a full dedicated section on that in the menu. So, my preference there is chilly beef with ginger pepper rice and Mongolian Beef with chilly garlic noodles. But, I tend to deviate here and always try to influence the owner. I ask Doma Di to ask her employees to substitute both the ginger peeper rice and noodles with steamed Gobindo bhog Rice (yes, I have a fetish for that and can influence at times) and yes, she likes me and arranges even for that.

The chilly beef here is super dry (and that’s the beauty) and on request, they make it super spicy. And personally, I prefer to have it with piping hot steamed Gobindo Bhog Rice. Mongolian Beef, on the other hand, has got a tinge of sweetness– probably for some quick sugar caramel and also spicy. So, for those not into that spicy mode, this is a great option.

chilly beef

Chilly beef with gobindo bhog rice

Mongolian beef with chilly garlic noodles

And on a good day, if Doma Di is there, definitely she makes sure that I get a spoon of her special super spicy Dalle Khursani pickle– to be had with the rice and chiily beef (I am a spicy person and I know that … LOL).

I am not a dessert guy and especially not in a oriental restaurant. But still, their Pancake with nutella and banana is recommended. The pancake is crispy and sauce is hot, so that makes a great combo.

pancake with nutella and banana

There are hundreds of “good” restaurants in town and that too “really good” ones. But what made this place stand out (within a few months of inception) is the good food at a pocket-friendly price and warm hospitality. Also, the clever positioning of cuisine much in demand worked superbly for Doma Wang. Will I go again? Off course yes, I am a regular there.

Bon apetit !!!

Comments and critics welcome.

I can be reached at 9903528225 / indrajit.lahiri@ymail.com