There is no dearth of places to eat in the capital with new restaurants and bars opening in every nook and cranny. But then, these western culture influenced places might not be what you are looking for when you want to indulge in some local cuisine. But fear not as there are equally many local joints that can delight your Nepali taste buds. The Week talked to a few people in the valley and found out which is the spot they head to when they want a bowl of steaming momos or some yummy Newari food.
Sanjay Maharjan
Momo’s are almost like our staple diet and I have momos about four days a week. I love the Magic Momo chain that has been around for a number of years now. What I like about the place is that even after all these years the momos still taste the same. The consistency in the taste is what keeps me going back to the place and it helps that the achar is so amazing as well. The place is also cheap and looks clean and hygienic too. The ambience of the place is also very nice and it is a great place to hang out with friends while enjoying a plate of steamy momos.
Manish Basnet
One of the best places to have Newari food in the city is in Kirtipur. There is a place called Shasha which has a really good selection of authentic Newari cuisine where my friends and I hang out all the time. The ambience and the food together work brilliantly and make for a good time. My favorite foods there are wa, bara and samay baji. They have really amazing chatamaris as well. If you want some good spicy food, this is where you have to be.
Is cracking of joints harmful for your health?
Riya Agrawal
For most of the year I live in India because I work there but whenever I’m back in the valley, I make sure I go to Tiptop in New Road. Often times, I go there on the same day I come back. Sometimes my cousins will bring it home if my flight lands late because they know how much I crave it after being away for a few months. Their samosas and panipuris are very hygienic and delicious. I love the fact that it is also a sweets shop and I can have a tiny dessert after eating all the salty food.
Bishwatmika Khanal
When I think local food, I think Laphing, and there is no better place to have it than in Bouddha. There is this one place there inside a narrow alley on the left after you enter the stupa. The laphing there is the best I have had so far. There is also a place in Ekantakuna that sells laphing with instant noodles inside it, which is an intriguing idea. I tried it just a few days ago and the combination works better than I could have imagined. I don’t much care for the soupy one but as far as the dry ones are concerned, I can have as many as four plates in one sitting.
Pragya Rai
There is a small place in Patan Dubar Square that serves hygienic pani puri, momos and sausages. They serve the most delicious food ever that tastes like it could have come straight out of your own kitchen. I like the fact that all of my food needs are addressed in the same place. It also acts as an excuse for me and my friends to get out of the house and hang out at the Durbar Square area, which gives us time to catch up with one another. The pani puri is a little expensive compared to the road side vendors’, but the taste more than makes up for it.
Anuj Adhikari
There is a small alley in Chyasal which leads to a small unnamed Newari kitchen run by the sweetest old lady. I go there for all my Newari food needs, from the chatamaris to the choila chiura, and even the famous Honacha can’t compare to the food you get here. When you are in Chyasal next time, make sure you explore around a bit and find this place with their authentic Newari delicacies. It isn’t too difficult to find and you will be glad you put in a little effort to get there.
Anup Ghimire
The local place I like to sit and hangout with my friends is just a small tea shop on the Basantapur lane that leads to the Durbar Square called Zy. They serve tea and coffee in small clay pots which I think is very unique and adds a quaint little touch to things. They also have a good selection of music that plays in the shop which makes hanging out there really fun. There have been times when they have played songs I hadn’t heard and that had me going back to search for it online.
Meelina Gurung
One of my favorite local places is N.P.P in Pulchowk. Every time I’m in that part of town, I’m drawn into the place, even if it is to just eat the stick food. I eat the sausages and the deep fried potatoes whenever I’m there, even if I’m not too hungry. I think it has more to do with the sauce they make rather than the food, for stick food is the same everywhere. I also like the fact that they cater to not just stick food fanatics but have a diverse menu that include momos, noodles and fried rice. It is so crowded that sometimes you will have to wait a while just to get a table.
