Kathmandu Food Guide｜Restaurants Under 20 RMB That Taste Amazing 😋

After living in Nepal for over half a month, I’ve tried everything from fancy restaurants to no-frills local joints. Here are some of my favorite affordable spots—perfect for new arrivals who don’t know where to start. 1️⃣ Dorje Restaurant (Tibetan Cuisine)｜🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Found this Tibetan spot thanks to a Xiaohongshu recommendation. Step into the alley off Jyatha Marg, and you’ll spot prayer flags fluttering above the wooden door. Inside, regulars greet each other with “Tashi Delek” (Tibetan for “blessings”), making it feel like a family gathering. Their Buff Soup Momo (beef dumpling soup) is a must at 160 NPR (8 RMB). The porcelain bowl arrives steaming, 10 plump dumplings stuffed with juicy beef—no skimping on filling. The broth, slow-simmered with beef bones, has a thin layer of oil, sprinkled with cilantro and chili flakes. Slurp it down, and you’ll warm from throat to stomach, forehead glistening with happy sweat. Dongba wine is a nice surprise: served in a clay pot, the owner brings a kettle and says, “Refills, anytime!” It’s lightly alcoholic with a fermented sweetness, like a spiced hot cider. The auntie here doesn’t speak English, but she smiles while topping up my cup, hovering until I add chili powder to her satisfaction—her crinkly-eyed warmth stays with you. Locals pop in for quick chats, and the owner sees everyone out, calling, “Come back for Tibetan noodles next time!” This “regulars-only” vibe is more memorable than the food itself. 📍 Pro tip: Search “Jyatha liquor shop” for easier navigation (P866+5XF, Jyatha Marg, Kathmandu 44600) 2️⃣ Western Tandoori & Naan House｜🌟🌟🌟🌟 Recommended by my hotel’s receptionist, this Nepali-Indian spot hides in an alley off Amrit Marg. The wooden sign is worn, but inside it’s bustling with locals—clinking brass plates and laughter fill the air. Butter naan at 30 NPR (1.5 RMB) is a steal: just out of the tandoor, too hot to hold, crisp exterior flaking into crumbs, oozing buttery goodness inside. Eat two plain, and you won’t get . Chicken masala (380 NPR/21.6 RMB) has tender meat in a turmeric-kissed curry, milder than tourist traps—mix with long-grain rice, and you’ll clean the plate. The mint lemonade is a standout: bright green with ice shards, mint coolness cutting through citrus tang—refreshing enough to order two. A local guy noticed us staring at the menu and said, “Need recommendations?” in fluent Chinese, handing over a Chinese menu. “I studied for three years,” he grinned—such a relief for new arrivals. 3️⃣ QQ Sichuan Snacks / Baicaoyuan｜🌟🌟🌟🌟 After 10 days of curry, this Sichuan spot (recommended by a photographer) was a lifesaver. Tucked near Leshan BBQ at a Y-junction, follow the public toilet signs—worth the hunt for that familiar chili oil aroma. Mashed potato noodles and spicy potato wedges are stars! Creamy potato mash mixed with alkaline noodles, doused in chili oil and Sichuan peppercorns—spicy enough to make you gasp, but you can’t stop. Wedges are thick-cut, crispy outside, tossed in sweet-sour sauce—a taste of home. The owner, who just opened, makes cold braised beef/pig trotter to go—pair with beer, and it’s like being at a Chinese night market. Drinks are so-so, but the spice makes up for it. In a foreign country, a Sichuan feast that makes you sweat? Pure luxury. 4️⃣ Dongfang Palace Beef Noodles｜🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 A Lanzhou noodle shop on Jyatha Marg, with “” (Dongfang Palace) in Chinese characters. Inside, the owner slams dough on the counter, steam billowing from the pot—suddenly, it feels like a Chinese market. A small beef noodle bowl (18 RMB) surprises: clear broth (no weird additives), thin, chewy noodles, tender beef slices, and fresh garlic chives. Sip the broth—rich with simmered bones, simple and delicious. Even a “noodle fanatic” like me couldn’t finish the small bowl—generous portions for homesick souls. These spots have no fancy plating, but they’re full of Kathmandu’s warmth: owners remember your spice tolerance, aunties pile on extra meat, regulars chat like neighbors. The joy of eating your fill for 20 RMB? That’s the coziest part of living abroad. Fancy restaurants coming next—save this list, and you’ll never go hungry in Kathmandu! LivingInNepal #NepalFoodHunt #KathmanduEats