Kathmandu: Thamel Cooking Class with Momos & Market Walk

Summary

Nepali cooking class in thamel kathmandu with hands-on dishes and fresh momos

You’ll roll up your sleeves in Thamel for a hands-on Nepali cooking class led by locals—think folding momos, tasting fresh spices, sharing stories over tea. Each dish is eaten hot as soon as you make it (no waiting!), so come hungry and ready to laugh at your own attempts at dumpling pleats.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the clang of pots and a warm turmeric smell drifting out onto the street in Thamel. We ducked into Nepal Cooking School, past a little sign I almost missed because I was distracted by a guy selling marigold garlands outside. Our guide—her name was Sita—smiled and handed us aprons that felt a bit too big on me (or maybe I’m just short). She asked if we’d ever made momo before. I shook my head, and she grinned like she knew what was coming.

We started with a quick chat about the ingredients—Sita pointed out fenugreek seeds and fresh coriander, letting us sniff everything. The market’s right nearby, so you get this sense that nothing’s been sitting around for long. My hands got sticky folding the dough for momos (I still can’t get the pleats right), but Sita just laughed and said they’d taste good anyway. There were folks from Germany and Australia at my table; someone tried to say “aloo tama” and we all cracked up at their pronunciation. The kitchen filled up with steam from the dumplings—kind of comforting, especially after walking through noisy Kathmandu streets.

Every time we finished a dish, we sat together to eat it hot—dal bhat one minute, then spicy achar that made my nose run (in a good way). If you’re not into spicy food, you can just skip the chili; nobody judges here. Tea kept appearing in little cups before I even noticed I wanted more. The whole thing felt less like a class and more like hanging out in someone’s home kitchen. At some point Sita told us about her family’s recipe for sel roti—I wish I’d written it down properly.

I left smelling like cumin and feeling full in every sense. Walking back through Thamel after dark, the city felt different—softer somehow. Maybe it was just all that food or maybe it was something else; either way, I still think about those momos sometimes when I’m hungry late at night.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Half day cooking class in Kathmandu

• Attend morning, afternoon, or evening shift
• Learn to pick the right ingredients
• Cook one course step by step
• Customize spice levels to taste
• Enjoy freshly cooked traditional dishes
• Experience Nepalese lifestyle insights

Top questions

What dishes do you learn to cook in this Kathmandu cooking class?

You’ll prepare traditional Nepali dishes including momos; menus rotate but always feature four local recipes per session.

Where is the Nepal Cooking School located?

The school is located in Thamel, Kathmandu—a central area popular with travelers.

Are there different times available for the cooking class?

Yes, there are morning (9:00–12:30), afternoon (1:30–4:00), and evening (4:30–8:00) shifts each day.

Is lunch or dinner included in the price?

Yes, you eat everything you cook—snacks plus either breakfast or dinner depending on your chosen shift.

Do I need any prior cooking experience?

No experience is needed; instructions are step-by-step and beginner-friendly.

Are vegetarian options available during the class?

Menus include various traditional Nepali dishes; dietary preferences can be accommodated on request.

Is public transportation available near Nepal Cooking School?

Yes, public transport options are nearby for easy access to Thamel.

What’s included

Your session includes all ingredients for four traditional Nepali dishes (with plenty of momos), hands-on instruction from local chefs, snacks along the way plus breakfast or dinner depending on your shift—and endless refills of Nepali tea or coffee while you cook and eat together.