Newa MoMoNewa MoMo
Jwajalapa · Kwabahal, Thamel

Eleven fillings, four ways to cook them, Newari choila and sekuwa, and masala tea. Open every day, 9 AM to 10 PM.

Build your plate
SteamFriedKotheyChillyChoilaSekuwaThukpaLassiSteamFriedKotheyChillyChoilaSekuwaThukpaLassi

NAMASTE, FOODIE

Down the alley, up the stairs, into the steam

Newa MoMo is a casual, family-friendly kitchen in Kwabahal, Thamel, cooking traditional Nepali and Newari food. Momos are the heart of it: buff, chicken, pork, mutton, vegetable, potato, four kinds of cheese, and even chocolate, each one steamed, fried, kothey or chilly.

11Momo fillings
4Ways to cook them
13 hrsOpen, 9 AM to 10 PM
Rs 200Where a plate starts
Tripadvisor · 2019 Certificate of Excellence
Loved by travellers

Newa MoMo Restaurant was awarded Tripadvisor's 2019 Certificate of Excellence, "for the consistent achievement of high ratings from travelers". Come and see why.

BUILD YOUR PLATE

Pick a filling, pick a style

Every price is from our menu. Choose, then call, or just tell your server.

Your plate

Buff · Steam

Rs250

1 · Choose the filling

2 · Choose how it is cooked

Steamed over boiling water: soft, juicy and the way most Nepalis eat them.

Minced buffalo, the Newar favourite, juicy and full of spice.

Call to order this plate

OFF THE STEAMER

The rest of the table

Newari specials, noodles and plates of dal bhat, with prices from the menu.

FIRST TIME HERE?

Start with one of these

Four orders our menu makes easy, clipped to the rail.

Order #001The classic

Buff momo, steamed

The Newar favourite. Dip it in the achar and eat it in one bite.

Rs 250

Order #002Vegetarian

Mushroom cheese, kothey

Crisp underneath, soft on top, cheese inside.

Rs 300

Order #003Spice lover

Pork momo, chilly

Tossed in a hot, glossy sauce with peppers and onion.

Rs 550

Order #004Sweet tooth

Chocolate momo

Chocolate in a steamed wrapper, to finish.

Rs 300

WHAT IT COSTS

Two example orders

Added up from menu prices, so you know what to expect.

Lunch for two

  • 1 ×Chicken momo, steamed300
  • 1 ×Veg momo, kothey250
  • 1 ×Buff chowmein250
  • 2 ×Milk masala tea160
TOTAL (Rs)960

An example order, at menu prices

A table of four

  • 1 ×Basket momo, steamed400
  • 1 ×Buff momo, chilly450
  • 1 ×Chicken thukpa300
  • 1 ×Veg dal bhat250
  • 1 ×Chocolate momo300
  • 4 ×Banana lassi600
TOTAL (Rs)2,300

An example order, at menu prices

NEWA CULTURE

A taste of the valley's oldest city life

The Newar people built the towns of the Kathmandu Valley; a few of their traditions shape our little restaurant.

An illustrated old Newar street at dusk, with carved windows, prayer flags and a momo shop's steaming steamers
Tiered roofs

Pagoda temples

The tiered temple roof was raised by Newar builders; its golden finials and carved struts still crown the squares a short walk from us.

Carved windows

Aankhi jhyal

The latticed wooden windows of old Newar houses; the carved bands on this site are drawn from them.

Black and red

Haku patasi

The black sari with a red border worn by Newar women, and the colours of this site.

The feast

Samay baji

A Newar festival platter of beaten rice, black soybeans, meats and pickles, shared at the table: the spirit of eating together.

LEARN SOME NEWARI

Five words to bring to the table

Nepal Bhasa is the language of the Newar people. Try one on our staff and watch them smile.

ज्वजलपा
Jwajalapa
Say it: jwa-ja-la-pa

Hello. The everyday Newari greeting, said with palms pressed together, at any time of day.

लसकुस
Lasakusa
Say it: la-sa-ku-sa

Welcome. Said to a guest coming through the door, and painted over the doorways of Newar homes.

जा नयेधुन ला?
Ja nayedhun la?
Say it: jaa na-ye-dhun la

Have you eaten? Neighbours ask it the way others ask how you are.

सुभाय्
Subhaay
Say it: su-bhaay

Thank you. Say it when the plate arrives.

साः
Saa
Say it: saa

Tasty. The word for the first bite of a hot momo.

INSIDE NEWA MOMO

A look around

From our own videos: fresh momos, the alley that brings you to us, and full tables.

The kitchenFresh off the board
Finding usDown the alley
The dining roomFull tables

GOOD COMPANY

Made for sharing

Friends, families and small groups fill our tables: order a basket momo and a few plates of chilly, and pass them round.

  • Family-friendly
  • Groups welcome, tables reserved
  • Vegetarian and non-vegetarian food
  • Wi-Fi
  • Takeaway
A long table of happy diners at Newa MoMo

QUESTIONS

Before you come

01Do you have vegetarian momos?

Yes: veg, potato, potato cheese, spinach cheese, veg cheese and mushroom cheese, in every style.

02What is kothey?

A momo pan-fried on one side until crisp and steamed on the other, so you get a crunchy base and a soft top.

03Can I book a table for a group?

Yes. Call +977 9818682572 and we will keep a table for you.

04Do you do takeaway?

Yes, everything on the menu can be packed to take away.

ज्वजलपा · JWAJALAPA

Come and eat with us in Thamel.

38 Thamel Marg, Kwabahal, Kathmandu · Every day, 9 AM to 10 PM