Gone are the days when you could have a satisfying meal for just Rs 100. Eating out nowadays is a pricey affair. Though fancy eateries are on a constant rise all over the country, the menu prices don’t seem affected despite the cut-throat competition in the market. However, if you are a little tight on budget, and are looking out for tasty treats in the range of just 100, then Kathmandu Durbar Square and its immediate surroundings – Jochhen, Basantapur, and Maru – have you covered.
Snowman Café
Pastries starting Rs 80
Snowman Café was a hippy paradise during the 70s. It’s still a popular youth hangout point. The café serves super-affordable food amidst the constant buzz of its patrons. You can get an array of pastries, including a slice of the unorthodox black forest Rs 80. Likewise, for Rs 80 gets you a cup of cold coffee or chocolate shake. Lassi costs only Rs 50. There are many other options for under Rs 100.
Location: Jhochhen
Opening hours: 8.30 am to 9 pm
Guchha momo
Rs 25 per plate
Steamed dumplings are the staple snacks of Kathmandu. A platter costs upward of Rs 80. However, a shop in Maru has a special price for their buff dumplings. As the name suggests, Guccha Momo serves miniature momos for just Rs 25 per plate. Yes, you read it right.
Sugarless treats
Location: Phyphal, opposite to World-Heritage Hotel & Apartment
Opening hours: 2 pm to 10 pm
Japanese Takoyaki Solo
Three balls for Rs 90
Japanese Takoyaki Solo is a new establishment serving Japanese snacks. The three-week-old shop specializes in takoyaki (octopus ball). A platter comprising 3 pieces of balls costs Rs 90. The balls, as big as ping-pong balls, and are coated with wheat flour batter before cooking in special molds. Takoyaki is served with a special takoyaki sauce and mayonnaise.
Location: Opposite to Pink Tiffany Restaurant at the Jhochhen.
Opening hours: 10 am to 9 pm (every day)
Bara/Aloo woh
Rs 10 and 5
Deepak Maharjan and his wife sell aloo woo, and bara from their cozy store at Jochhen. The orange colored fried fritters cost Rs 5 for a piece, and a piece of bara costs Rs 10. The Maharjan couple has been running their shop for 12 years.
Location: On the left of the narrow lane leading to Dharmapath from Jhochhen
Opening hours: 12 pm to 3 pm
Sekuwa
Rs 30 per skewer
Basatnapur ko Sekuwa has garnered much admiration among locals for over 15 years. It has been serving buff skewers for Rs 30, accompanied with a heaping of chutney, and puffed rice. Though the costs have risen from its original price of Rs 10, the eatery is still famous among the street dwellers.
Location: Maru Tole beside the Ashok Binayak/Maru Ganesh temple
Opening hours: 4 pm to 9.30 pm
Ashok Binayak Momo Center
Rs 90 per plate
Despite its name, Ashok Binayak Momo Center is admired for its Newari delicacies, phosko (lungs). You can get a plate of fried phosko for just Rs 90. There’s also an option of choosing a half portion for a mere Rs 50. Homnath Shrestha, the shop owner, claims to sell two buckets, each of 20 liters, of phokso a day.
Location: Besides Basatnapur ko Sekuwa Pasal near Ashok Binayak temple, Maru Tole.
Opening hours: 4 pm to 9 pm
