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.
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.
Traveler reviews
Compare the 13 similar options
Nepali Cooking Class in Thamel: Learn from Local Women★ 5.00 (133)4hENUS$ 30
Kathmandu: Thamel Cooking Class with Momos & Market WalkTry your hand at Nepali cooking in Thamel, Kathmandu. Make momos, sip tea, and share laughs with locals. Includes snacks, meal, and flexible shift times.★ 4.92 (680)2h 30mEN · HIUS$ 30View ›
Kathmandu: Food & Drink Walking Tour in Thamel & AsanCome hungry to Kathmandu’s streets—sample local dishes, sip Nepali tea, chat with vendors, and explore Thamel & Asan markets on a relaxed walking food tour with meals included.★ 4.98 (343)3hEN · HI +8US$ 51View ›
Pokhara: Khukuri Knife Making Workshop with Gurkha ForgeShape, hammer, and polish your own khukuri knife in Pokhara with real Gurkha craftsmen. Hands-on forging, snacks, and local stories included. Take home your blade.★ 4.95 (171)4hENUS$ 70View ›
Private Nepali Cooking Class & Market Tour near PatanJoin a hands-on Nepali cooking class just steps from Patan Durbar Square. Shop at the local market, learn to make momo, dal bhat & thukpa. Book now—water included.★ 4.83 (12)3hENUS$ 25View ›
Kathmandu Cooking Class: Learn Momo-Making & Nepali DishesCook three authentic Nepali dishes with a local chef in Kathmandu, starting with a market trip for fresh ingredients and ending with a tasting of what you★ 4.96 (362)3h 30mEN · HIUS$ 15View ›
Kathmandu Food Tour: Market Walk & 14+ Local TastingsWander old Kathmandu with a local, taste 14+ street bites, explore Asan Market & Thamel. Includes all food, drinks, and easy meeting point in the city center.★ 4.98 (91)3hENUS$ 35View ›
Nepali Cooking Class in Kathmandu: Learn Local DishesLearn to cook Nepali dishes in Kathmandu's Thamel neighborhood with a local market visit and chef instruction—you shop for fresh ingredients★ 4.88 (26)3hENUS$ 30View ›
Private Kathmandu Valley Tour: 7 UNESCO Sites in One DayPrivate day tour of Kathmandu Valley with English guide visiting UNESCO sites. Includes hotel pickup, transport, water, and lunch.★ 4.96 (844)4h–10hENUS$ 8View ›
Everest Base Camp Trek from Kathmandu: 12 Days12-day Everest Base Camp trek from Kathmandu with Lukla flight, lodge stays, and Sherpa guide through Sagarmatha National Park. Includes transport and accommodation.★ 4.97 (562)14dENUS$ 1,700View ›
Kathmandu: 7 UNESCO Sites Day Tour with Lunch & PickupMeet locals, see Kathmandu’s 7 UNESCO sites in one day, taste street snacks, and travel with a guide. Includes hotel pickup, lunch, and all entry fees.★ 4.94 (526)8h–9hENUS$ 8View ›
Nagarkot Sunrise & Changunarayan Hike: Day Trip from KathmanduWake up before dawn for Nagarkot sunrise, hike through pine forests and villages, and explore ancient Changunarayan Temple. Includes hotel pickup and guide.★ 4.83 (480)3h–9hENUS$ 25View ›
Everest Base Camp Trek from Kathmandu: 14 days to the mountainFeel the crunch of Himalayan trails, share tea with Sherpa hosts, and reach Everest Base Camp on this 14-day trek from Kathmandu—includes flights, meals, and local guide.★ 4.99 (366)13dENUS$ 1,420View › 
Top questions
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.
Nepali Cooking Class in Thamel: Learn from Local Women
4h · EN · at your hotel
from US$ 30 per person
★★★★★★★★★★5.00133 reviews
