Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
Savoring Shangrila in Jackson Heights
By
Joe DiStefano
Published Nov 13, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Joe DiStefano
Published Nov 13, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Yet another culinary transfer point has been added to the many ethnic eateries radiating outwards from the 74 Street/Broadway subway stop in Jackson Heights: Shangrila Express.
Yesterday when Gothamist learned that the city's first and only Tibetan food cart had opened near the renowned Sammy’s Halal we couldn’t wait to try it. We approached the cart next to Sammy’s and ordered some momos only to be told they only serve chicken over rice. Upon closer examination, we noticed there was no sign anywhere reading Shangrila Express. Clearly this was the wrong place. After an hourlong trek from Rego Park to Jackson Heights we were hungry and decided locating this Tibetan cart would prove as difficult as scouring the Himalayas for its mythical namesake. So we set off to find some grub along 74 Street, but none of the restaurants struck our fancy. Just as we were about to call it quits and head to Roosevelt Ave. for some tacos, there it was. The American and Tibetan flags were proudly flying and there was a line of kids ordering up momos, the dumplings that are the hamburgers of the Himalayas.
Until last night, momos have proved underwhelming, all too often leaden and thick, leaving us wondering what all the hoopla is about. After eating Shangrila's juicy beef dumplings shot through with bits of green onion and cilantro we began to understand momo mania. The delicate-skinned crescents came with a pool of sepen, a reddish hot sauce singing with roasted chili peppers and ginger. Weser Dorjee and his nephew, Namgyal Ghongpa, make all the food fresh, and it shows. The cart is open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. On a good night, the pair goes through 1,000 dumplings. Gothamist also tried the shabalay, deep-fried disks packed with beef that Namgyal has dubbed Tibetan beef patties. These were so good that we may soon find ourselves returning to taste the duo's take on chicken and rice: Shangrila Chicken.
The pair opened the cart Oct. 11 to coincide with the Dalai Lama's visit to New York City. Scarcely a week later they closed the business to go see him receive the Congressional Gold Medal. When Gothamist noticed photos of the Dalai Lama and W. inside the cart Namgyal said with a smile, "I wish I could serve the Dalai Lama, but not yet."
Shangrila Express, corner of 74 St. and Broadway, Jackson Heights
Tagged
broadway
chicken
dalai lama
dalailama
food
gothamist
heights
jackson heights
jacksonheights
kids
rego park
restaurants
roosevelt ave.
subway
The American
the city
Joe DiStefano
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Published Sep 12, 2026
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
Is it worth the high price and ridiculous wait? Gothamist needed to find out.
By
Sonia Rao
Food
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
Is it worth the high price and ridiculous wait? Gothamist needed to find out.
By
Sonia Rao
5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's
By
Hannah Frishberg
Where to eat in Greenpoint, Brooklyn right now, from Polish to Sichuan to Iberian
By
Robert Sietsema
Can a congressional candidate's dumpling diplomacy win over Queens’ immigrant communities?
By
Caroline Shin
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .