Helena Chew was a fan of Tenzin “Kyikyi” Yeshi well before the dumpling chef even opened her cheery yellow restaurant in Beaverton’s Five Oaks neighborhood. Chew was pregnant with her daughter, Luna, when she first bought a bag of Kyikyi’s frozen dumplings at the Beaverton Farmers Market. A dumpling-lover in general who wanted to support Asian women entrepreneurs, she wasn’t clear on what momos were, but was open to trying something new. She quickly fell for the plump little Himalayan treats, stuffed with beef, chicken, or vegetables seasoned with cumin, cilantro, and garlic. After Luna was born, mother and daughter helped celebrate the opening day of Himalayan Dumplings by Kyikyi and have been steadfast regulars ever since. 

Weekly rituals: The pair visits Kyikyi’s toward the end of the workweek, either Thursday or Friday, timed to the restaurant’s limited hours. Chew leaves the Nike offices, where she works as a data analytics manager, picks Luna up from daycare, and orders dinner online for takeout so she can get her daughter home for an early bedtime. While their order is always ready when they get to the shop, Luna insists on having a bite and a chat before they head home. 

Reading time: A stop by the restaurant’s mini library of kids’ books is mandatory, as far as Luna is concerned. While Chew sets up their amuse-bouche, Luna rushes to the library for coloring and picture books. “She’s learning how to read now, so the books have been more of an interest to her,” says Chew. “I think that’s why she likes sitting here and staying here a little bit longer.”

Cup of noodles: Luna’s go-to order is the thick and chewy chow mein noodles, and her favorite way to eat them is in a paper water cup—using a fork and spoon, she’ll slurp noodles while Mom reads to her and eats any errant onions (Luna’s not a fan). The cup gets refilled with noodles for snacking on the car ride home.

That’s a spicy meatball: While Luna adores the chewy wheat noodles, the beef momos are mom’s favorite. “I take off the skin and give her the meatball within the dumpling.... She’s tried most of them, but the potato [handpie] is too spicy for her,” Chew says. The super-peppery hot sauce is out of the question (“One touch, she’ll scream,” Mom says), though Chew likes it for her own noodles. Other favorite items are the fried chicken momos and the mango lassi, but only when the family feels like a “splurge.”

Family friends: The Chews frequent the shop not just for the food, but for its owner. The restaurateur, a mother herself, has watched Luna grow up, and even catered her second birthday. Chew says she appreciates the way Kyikyi addresses Luna like a full person. “She would ask her, ‘How was your day, how is your week?’ and actually have those full conversations, so it’s like, Luna has a friend.” Kyikyi once even bought her a fork and spoon set with cats on them for Christmas. Says Chew: “You know, it’s not often owners and restaurants take that much care and interest in their customers, regardless of age.”