Nepali Cooking Class in Thamel: Learn from Local Women

Cook Nepali dishes from scratch and understand the spices that define them

A half-day cooking class in Thamel where you prepare three authentic Nepali dishes under instruction from the women who run Namaste Cooking School, a kitchen built on sourcing ingredients directly from local farmers. You choose your menu, learn the regional spices that shape the cuisine, cook hands-on, and leave with a recipe book. Lunch is included. The school sits in central Thamel with easy access.

The experience

Namaste Cooking School opens with masala chai: a traditional welcome that sets the tone for what comes next. You'll choose from three menus: Chatamari, a Newari rice flour crepe topped to your preference; Dal Bhat, the staple eaten twice daily in many Nepali households; or Chocolate Momo, a sweet take on the savory dumpling. The school asks about dietary restrictions upfront, so the session stays safe and tailored to what you can eat.

The hands-on part starts with an overview of regional spices (the flavors that make Nepali food distinct) before you move into the kitchen to cook. You're not watching a demonstration. You're doing the work with guidance, learning by handling the ingredients and techniques yourself. The school sources everything directly from local farmers, so the dishes you prepare carry the authentic flavors the region is known for, not a diluted version built for tourists.

After four hours, you finish the course with lunch and receive a Namaste Cooking School Recipe Book, a practical resource for recreating what you've learned once you're home. The location in central Thamel means no transport puzzle: public options are nearby if you need them, and the school is easy to reach.

What’s included

• Masala chai on arrival.
• choice of three Nepali dishes to cook.
• instruction in regional spices and techniques.
• lunch after the class.
• a Namaste Cooking School Recipe Book to take home.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 14:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (18 to 60 years) · Under 18: can't be booked

GroupUp to 16

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Public transport nearby

Operated by Classic Nepal

Is this one for you?The class runs four hours with hands-on cooking throughout, so you're on your feet and actively working in the kitchen the whole time, not ideal if you prefer to watch and listen, but essential if you want to actually learn the techniques by doing them yourself.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What three dishes do I get to cook in the Nepali cooking class?

Namaste Cooking School offers three menus to choose from: Chatamari, a Newari rice flour crepe with toppings of your choice; Dal Bhat, the staple Nepali dish eaten twice daily in many households; and Chocolate Momo, a sweet variation on the traditional savory dumpling. You pick which one appeals to you when you arrive.

How long does the cooking class take?

The half-day course runs four hours, starting with a welcome and menu selection, moving through an introduction to Nepali spices, then into the hands-on cooking itself, and finishing with lunch.

Where exactly is Namaste Cooking School located?

The school sits in the heart of Thamel, the central tourist district of Nepal, with easy access and public transportation options nearby.

What's included in the cooking class besides the instruction?

Lunch is included after you finish cooking, along with a Namaste Cooking School Recipe Book you take home as a keepsake and guide for making these dishes yourself.

Why does Namaste Cooking School source ingredients from local farmers?

The school sources directly from local farmers to preserve Nepal's indigenous culinary heritage and ensure the true, authentic flavors of Nepali cuisine are captured in every dish you prepare.

Do I need any cooking experience to join the class?

No prior experience is required. The class is hands-on instruction for all levels, and the school will ask about any dietary restrictions or allergies when you arrive to keep the session safe and suited to you.