A Cozy and Exotic Dining Experience

Time of visit: June 2025

I had the opportunity to dine at a Tibetan restaurant, Tashi Delek (タシデレ), in Shinjuku, Tokyo, and it was an experience that stood out for its unique blend of atmosphere, hospitality, and global flavors.

From the moment we walked in, the interior set the tone—exotic displays, ambient world music, and warm lighting created a setting that felt both transportive and cozy. It’s the kind of place where you feel like you’re stepping into a different culture, yet still comfortable enough to settle in and enjoy your meal.

interior of tashi delek — Interior of Tashi Delek

The staff were exceptionally polite and welcoming, offering attentive service throughout the evening. Their kindness and professionalism really added to the overall experience.

As for the food, the menu offered distinctly exotic dishes that were not only flavorful and tasty but also very accessible, even for those unfamiliar with the cuisine. They were different from what I was used to, but they all had gentle flavors. There was no spiciness, which I appreciated because I’m pretty much allergic to spicy food. Everything we tried was delicious, although I personally would have preferred a touch more salt to elevate the flavors just a bit further.

sha kampo tea and tibet lager — Sha kampo (left; dried lamb), ja thang (right; Tibetan tea), some snack they served us in the beginning (middle), and Tibet Lager (Tashi Delek’s original beer). My partner loved sha kampo and the snack.

lamb gyuma — Lamb gyuma – They were awsome!

lugsha shapta (lamb) — Lugsha shapta (lamb) – The meat was a bit dry but delish!

shaple (meat pie) — Shapale (ground beef pie) – My partner’s favorite!

shapale cut in half — Shapale cut in half – yummm

phing sha (pork and potato soup) — Phing sha (pork and potato soup) – I needed to try their yummy-looking soups. Very gentle and nice flavor.

butter tea — Butter tea – This was my hit! Loooooved it! Very buttery.

khapse and chura bakley for desert — Khapse (left) and chura bakley (right) for desert

chura bakley cut in half — Chura bakley cut in half – This was a joy to eat: the cheese was light like cottage cheese and the sweetness was subtle, which I appreciated.

The menu is partially translated into English—dish names are easy to navigate, but detailed descriptions are only in Japanese. For a clearer understanding of the ingredients or preparation, I’d recommend visiting their website and using a translation tool like Google Translate. It’s a minor inconvenience, but worth noting if you like to know exactly what’s on your plate.

Tashi Delek menu obtainable through their website and Google Translate

Our total bill came to 10,700 yen, which felt slightly expensive for the portion sizes. That said, the ambiance, service, and overall uniqueness of the experience helped justify the price.

Overall, Tashi Delek offers a memorable dining experience that combines cultural richness with a welcoming atmosphere. We definitely want to go again and try other dishes!

Tashi Delek / タシデレ – Review

Sakura Yubi

Food

Atmosphere

Service

Value for Money

Summary

Tashi Delek is a cozy Tibetan restaurant with a warm, culturally rich atmosphere and excellent service. The mild, flavorful dishes are accessible even to those new to the cuisine, though I found them slightly under-seasoned. While the menu lacks full English descriptions and prices are a bit high, the unique experience makes it worth a visit.