The Best Momos In Kathmandu

Traveling to Nepal, I searched everything I possibly could about finding the best momos in Kathmandu. I checked Thamel, I checked Boudha, and I checked the city center. It turns out, that the best Momos I had in Nepal were right outside my front door.

Firstly, you might be researching and unfamiliar:

🥟 DEWA CAFE — QUICK INFO

Restaurant	DEWA Cafe
Location	Amitab, Buddha Marg, Tusal 06, Kathmandu - near Boudhanath Stupa
Best dish	Steamed momos with chutney and spicy sauce
Vibe	Cozy modern cafe, clean, English speaking staff
Price	Very affordable - momos cost a few hundred NPR
Verdict	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Best momos I had in all of Kathmandu

What Are Momos

Momos are the Himalayan region’s version of a dumpling. Or a gyoza, or a wonton, or a potsticker…you get the point. You could have veggie, chicken, buffalo, etc. All are great.

Momos are extremely delicious and from my experience they come with 2 sauces. There is the traditional chutney that is something like a spiced chili type tomato sauce, which is incredible. And some type of lava sauce that will burn the hair off your nostrils. I truly have no idea what this sauce is, but I love it.

The Best Momos In Kathmandu

Now this isn’t some type of list. I followed the lists, and had momos daily in Nepal…which led me to this decision.

Where did the best momo lists get me? Nowhere. Because the best momos I had in Kathmandu were randomly right behind my hotel, the Hyatt Regency Kathmandu.. Trust me…don’t plan your food so much, because you’ll get an experience like I did. This place was better than all the “lists” I followed.

The restaurant name is DEWA Cafe located at Amitab, Buddha Marg, Tusal 06, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal. I have no idea how to read Nepalese addresses but hopefully Google is right!

I sat outside on a random back road and watched the tiny cars squeeze by all the civilians. I ordered a beer and received some peanuts.

DEWA Cafe felt like a cozy little modern cafe. The back and kitchen looked spotless from what I could see. I think it would be a great place to go as an introductory to Kathmandu if you are unfamiliar with some of the grittier areas. Until your culture shock sets in.

I received the momos and they were amazing. They came with a little salad which was a nice touch. These were steamed, but you can get momos fried as well.

I prefer the steamed, but tried fried at another restaurant on one of the days I was experiencing the nightlife in Kathmandu. They were really good too.

This isn’t some type of story of “oh I talked to the owners and felt their story” or anything. It was a true business transaction. I wanted momos so they gave me momos. The best momos in Kathmandu I could say. The server was very friendly to me and spoke great English. There was just no discussion about life or anything like that.

DEWA looked like a great place to grab some coffee too, I just never got around to it on my short stay in Kathmandu. Definitely check this place out when you head to the Buddha Stupa, which one of the the important things to do in Nepal.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are momos? +

Momos are dumplings from the Himalayan region — similar to Chinese dumplings, Japanese gyoza, or potstickers. They are filled with meat or vegetables, steamed or fried, and served with dipping sauces. In Nepal the standard sauces are a spiced tomato chutney and a fiery hot sauce that is genuinely intense. They are one of the most popular street foods in Kathmandu and an absolute must eat on any Nepal trip.

Where can I find the best momos in Kathmandu? +

DEWA Cafe near Boudhanath Stupa is the best I found after eating momos daily throughout Kathmandu. It is close to the stupa which makes it an easy stop if you are in that area. The honest truth is that momos are so popular in Kathmandu that you will find excellent versions at small local spots all over the city — do not overthink it and just try wherever looks busy with locals.

Are steamed or fried momos better? +

Both are excellent but steamed momos are the traditional version and what most locals prefer. The steamed version is softer and lets the filling shine. Fried momos have a crispy exterior and a different texture that is also very good. My personal preference is steamed but the honest answer is to try both on your trip — they are cheap enough that ordering one of each is not a stretch.

How much do momos cost in Kathmandu? +

Momos are one of the most affordable foods in Kathmandu. A plate of steamed momos at a local restaurant costs between NPR 150 and 400 depending on the place — roughly $1 to $3 USD. Tourist area restaurants charge slightly more but even then it is very reasonable. You can eat momos twice a day in Kathmandu without making a dent in your budget.

What sauce comes with momos in Nepal? +

Nepalese momos typically come with two sauces — a spiced tomato chutney which is tangy, slightly sweet and has a gentle heat, and a second fiery hot sauce that is significantly more intense. Both are excellent. The tomato chutney is the more traditional pairing but the hot sauce is addictive once you get used to it. Most restaurants serve both automatically without you needing to ask.

Are momos safe to eat in Kathmandu? +

Yes — momos are generally very safe to eat in Kathmandu especially at established restaurants and cafes. Stick to places that look busy and have a clean kitchen visible. DEWA Cafe specifically had a spotless kitchen from what I could see. Avoid momos from street carts that have been sitting out for a long time. Freshly steamed momos from any decent restaurant are a safe and delicious choice.

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