10/26/2026
KUMAONI LOTUS ROOT ROLL
A mountain point of view, carried into the raw bar.
This entirely vegetarian roll draws its inspiration from Kumaon, a region of Uttarakhand in India’s Himalayan landscape. Lotus root leads the dish, bringing a different possibility to a form so often associated with the sea.
The ingredient’s own story begins beneath the water. The part we call lotus root is a rhizome, an underground stem growing through the mud. It is an ingredient prized for its crisp texture and mild sweetness.
At Tamba, the tandoor gives that root its char. Fire becomes part of the roll, setting the tone for everything that follows.
Cucumber brings freshness. Pickled fennel adds brightness, while onion gives the composition a sharper edge. Roasted pepper jam completes the bite, drawing the supporting ingredients around the lotus root.
Within Sung Park raw program, vegetables carry the whole expression. A rhizome, a pickle, a roasted pepper: familiar ingredients, brought into focus through their contrasts and held together in the form of the roll.
A Contemporary Indian expression, made to be discovered at the table. Photo: Anthony Mair