Eggplant does not grow in Tibet; however, this recipe is from the Tibetan settlement at Bylakuppe in southern India. It show how traditional cooking methods have been adapted to the unfamiliar produce found by the Tibetans in exile there. Soup is commonly eaten for breakfast by Tibetans, as well as at other meals. I do like this soup, but I have to cut way back on the chiles. Emma , not in computer, is Sichuan pepper. This recipe is from the Lhasa Moon Tibetan Cookbook.by Tsering Wangmo Recipes in the book are from the Lhasa Moon Tibetan Restaurant, in San Francisco's Mission District. The restaurant 's most popular and requested recipes were chosen for to be included in the book.