Zomsa Restaurant: Bringing Nepalese Taste to California's County

Newly revealed census information demonstrates the distribution and count of various ethnicities throughout the state. Contra Costa County in California has experienced a significant influx of immigrants from Nepal, a Southeast Asian country. The aroma of a bubbling, spicy sauce at Zomsa brings back memories of their homeland.

Manjila Moktan exclaims, "Oh yeah, you've got to try it when you go to Nepal." Her mother is preparing Tali, a cornerstone of Nepalese cuisine consisting of rice, vegetables, and chicken. Manjila spent the first 17 years of her life in Nepal before moving to the U.S. and living in the Bay Area. She recalls her initial reaction to the move: "I didn't process it. I think I was in shock." Her father, Tara, fled a civil war in Nepal, seeking better economic prospects in America. After saving up for years, he opened Zomsa in El Cerrito to serve the rapidly growing Nepalese community. Manjila says her father now feels like he's back in Nepal as he walks the streets and observes his surroundings.

According to census data, Asian Americans are California's fastest-growing ethnic group, with the Nepalese population being the fastest-growing Asian subgroup nationwide. In Contra Costa County alone, this figure soared by more than 545% between 2010 and 2020. UC Riverside Public Policy professor Karthick Ramakrishnan explains this phenomenon: "In areas with lower cost-of-living, we see enclaves being established, creating their own ethnic communities. This is an exciting development to watch over the next ten years." As higher living costs make California less attractive for Latinos with lower average incomes, Asian Americans continue to migrate here.

Leaving one's home can be difficult, but opportunities are plentiful in this new land. In just seven years, Manjila graduated from high school, received an applied mathematics degree from UC Santa Barbara, and now aspires to work in the tech industry, specializing in data analysis. She notes the contrasts between her homeland and new home: "It's not that it's easy here, but there are definitely more opportunities here than in Nepal." Her father Tara, Zomsa's owner, simply says, "If she works for a big company, I'm happy." His elation is apparent through his smile, matched by Manjila's own: "We're just grateful our family is together and thriving with our small business. The restaurant is booming and well-loved."

Zomsa has become a go-to destination for food enthusiasts craving authentic Nepalese flavors. Manjila's family continues to make progress in their adopted country while being reminded of Nepal through the scents and tastes of home-cooked meals. The 2020 Census data is only being released now due to additional privacy measures implemented following the 2010 census results.