Kathmandu: Momos and Butter Tea at Yangling Restaurant

When it comes to food, Nepal is particularly known for momos, which are steamed or fried (kothe/kothey) dumplings, typically filled with minced meat. It is a cheap and delicious snack, that you will find everywhere in Kathmandu. You usually get a generous serving of 10 pieces, so when I was in the city, I had momos for lunch and for dinner most of the days.

In Nepal, vegetarianism is widespread due to cultural and religious practices, so specifying the type of momo, like buffalo, chicken, or vegetable, is common, in order to ensure that dietary preferences and restrictions are respected. The majority of the population in Nepal are Hindus, and they regard the cow as a holy animal that you are not allowed to kill. It is a different case for buffalos, and the momo filling is thus often minced buffalo meat. Momos are served with a tomato-based chutney/achar (dipping sauce) that can be very spicy, but oh so delicious together with the relatively mild taste of the momos.

I had the best momos at Yangling Restaurant, which was also one of the nicest restaurants I tried in Kathmandu. They had many different kinds of momos on the menu but also several soups and snacks, and none of the dishes was more than a dollar or two.

It was really cold when I was visiting Kathmandu, and I quickly found out that a cup of Butter Tea was one of the best ways to keep me warm.

Butter tea is also known as po cha in Tibetan and it is a traditional drink widely consumed in Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal, and parts of India, particularly in the Himalayan regions. It is known for its unique preparation and rich, savory flavor, which can be quite surprising and distinctive for those who are used to conventional teas. The process begins with boiling a strong brew of black tea. Once the tea is prepared, it is mixed with yak butter (or cow’s butter in areas where yak butter is not available) and salt. The mixture of tea, butter, and salt is then vigorously churned or blended. The resulting beverage is a thick, creamy, and frothy drink that is served hot. Butter tea is rather salty, and it might take a cup or two before you get used to the unusual flavor, but together with momos, it tastes really good.  

Yangling Restaurant, Kaldhara Marg, Kathmandu