The interior of the restaurant on Kurseong station premises. Picture by Vivek Singh

Kurseong, March 13: A platter of piping hot gundruk ka jhol (vegetable soup), shel roti (bread made of rice dust) and local brew made from guras or rhododendrons — all these and more to create a perfect Gorkha ambience.

Gorkha Bhansa Ghar, a restaurant set up on the premises of Kurseong railway station, will provide to tourists travelling on the toy train all that is associated with the Gorkha community — be it food or culture.

Dawa Golay, one of the six former jawans who are behind the running of the restaurant, said the proceeds from the earnings would be given to local clubs for the promotion of sport and culture.

“The Darjeeling Himalayan Railways had wanted a Gorkha food restaurant, but could not get hold of the right people. When we got the offer from HELP, we at once seized upon the idea. The restaurant started functioning yesterday,” said Golay today.

HELP (Health Education and Leadership Promotion) had been approached first by the DHR for the restaurant. The Kurseong-based NGO then forwarded the proposal to the former jawans, whom they are helping with logistic support.

The six of them together have invested around Rs 1 lakh and all of them are doubling up as cooks and waiters.

Set up near the entrance to the station, the one-room restaurant, where six can dine at a time, will remain open from eight in the morning till seven in the evening. The first toy train, however, passes through the station at 9am.

The restaurant also serves beverages like tea and coffee.

Meals will be spiced up with culture shows. Gorkha dances like soratee and marooney and folk songs like dhori will be performed by local clubs on Sundays and Thursdays. A stage has been set up and Gorkha dresses, like the daura suruwal, musical instruments and kitchen utensils used in the past have been displayed in one corner of the restaurant.

“Tourists visiting the hills are interested in local cuisine. Not many visitors come to Kurseong station but we hope that the restaurant will now be able to woo them,” said Golay.

While soups cost Rs 15, the price of shel roti is Rs 2.50. A plate of rice and mutton cooked will be sold at Rs 35. Local brews in bottles will come for Rs 80.

Among the 11 DHR stations from Sukna to Darjeeling, Kurseong is the first to have such a restaurant serving Gorkha cuisine.

“The motive is clear: we want to promote Gorkha culture and its food among visitors, especially foreigners, who come here. Since the area belongs to the DHR, we will have to pay them 15 per cent of the earnings. The rest will be distributed among the local clubs for the development of sports and related activities,” added Golay.