Rolled by hand
The dough & wrappers
Mix and rest the dough, then roll thin, even wrappers by hand — the difference between a good momo and a great one starts right here.
A cultural cooking experience · Kathmandu, Nepal
Nepali Cooking Class in Kathmandu
Make momo by hand. Hear its story.
Spend two hands-on hours with a local chef, hear the stories behind the food, then share the meal you made together. You'll make momo — Nepal's best-loved dish: like a dumpling, pleated by hand and steamed.
2 hours
£35 per person
Private · your group of 2–6
Your message is pre-written — just hit send. Sessions most evenings this week.
A chef Kathmandu already trusts. Chhetra feeds 800+ diners a week across four Google-reviewed cafés — Avocado Café and Café Mitra among them. Come see the kitchen for yourself.
See his café on GoogleRecipes from a professional café chef
Clean, professional café kitchen
Private class — just your group (2–6)
Free cancellation up to 48 hours
The experience
Not a demo. A real Nepali kitchen.
Most tourists eat Nepali food. Few ever learn to cook it — or hear the stories behind it. This is a cultural experience first and a cooking class second: you cook at one shared table right beside the working kitchen, close enough for the chef to watch your hands and correct you as you go — guided by someone whose food people in Kathmandu already trust every day.
Expect whole cumin and coriander hitting hot oil until the whole kitchen smells of it, the soft slap of momo wrappers being folded by hand, and the first taste of something you made from scratch — still warm, on a plate in front of you.
Who leads it
Meet your chef, Chhetra Shrestha
Your chef is Chhetra Shrestha. He has spent his life in Kathmandu kitchens, and today he owns and runs four cafés across the city — Café Mitra in Maharajgunj and Avocado Café among them — cooking for hundreds of locals and travellers every week.
The food he teaches is the food he grew up on: momo folded by hand, spices kept whole, nothing simplified for tourists. He runs the class the way he'd cook with a friend in his own kitchen — patient, unhurried, watching your hands — with a fluent English-speaking translator beside him throughout, so nothing gets lost.
Included with every class
A dedicated English-speaking host, beside you throughout
Chhetra cooks; a fluent English-speaking translator stays at your side the whole class — so you catch every story, every question is answered, and nothing gets lost in translation. It isn't a workaround for language: it's how the class stays a real conversation, not a silent demonstration.
2
Hours per session
Start to finish, hands-on.
Whole
Recipe, start to finish
Wrappers, filling and achar — nothing skipped.
2–6
Your private group only
Booked for your own group.
100%
Ingredients included
All spices and equipment provided.
More than a cooking class
A window into everyday Nepali life
Ask almost anyone in Kathmandu for their favourite food and the answer is momo. Its story traces back centuries to Himalayan trade with Tibet — what began as a trader's dumpling became both an everyday street-corner staple and a celebration dish, folded by hand around the family table on weekends and at festivals. Read the full history of momo.
Between the spices, the folding and the shared meal at the end, you'll talk with your host about food, festivals and daily life in Kathmandu — the kind of unhurried, real conversation that turns a trip into a memory. You leave understanding a little more about Nepal, not just how to fold a dumpling.
The class
What you'll master: making momo
Momo is Nepal's most-loved dish — and you'll learn every part of it, hands-on, start to finish. Choose your filling: classic chicken or fresh vegan. Each session focuses on one filling, taught start to finish, so your group cooks a single choice together — just agree on it when you book.
Chicken or vegan
The spiced filling
Build your filling — spiced chicken or fresh vegan — with fresh ginger, garlic, and whole spices like cumin and coriander ground in front of you, for the aroma that fills the whole kitchen.
Hands-on
Folding & shaping
Learn the pleated fold that seals each momo — fiddly at first, then surprisingly satisfying. You'll fill, fold and steam your own batch.
Make it your own
The fiery achar
No momo is complete without its dipping achar — the tomato-and-sesame chutney, often lifted with timur, the citrusy Himalayan pepper, that makes people fall in love with the dish. You'll make it from scratch.
In the kitchen
Watch the momo come together
Half a minute in chef Chhetra's kitchen — from rolling the wrappers to the plate in front of you. This is exactly what your class looks like.
Inside the kitchen
See it for yourself
The session
How your class unfolds
- 01
Welcome & masala chiya
Arrive, settle in over a welcome cup of chiya, and meet Chhetra before we begin.
- 02
Spices, by smell & taste
Meet the whole, unground spices by name — what each one does, ground in front of you.
- 03
Make the spiced filling
Build your chosen filling — chicken or vegan — the way it's done in Nepal.
- 04
Dough & wrappers
Mix and rest the dough, then roll thin, even wrappers by hand.
- 05
Fold & pleat
Learn the pleated fold that seals each momo — fiddly at first, then satisfying — and shape your own batch.
- 06
Make the fiery achar
The tomato-and-sesame chutney no momo is complete without — from scratch.
- 07
Steam & plate
Into the steamer, then plated up fresh with your achar.
- 08
Eat, then take it home
Sit down and eat what you made, then leave with your recipe booklet, certificate, apron & t-shirt to keep.
Pricing
Simple, honest pricing
Single session
£35per person
~$44 USD · exchange rate approximate
Minimum 2 guests — £70 total. Booking solo? Reserve the private session just for you, or message us and we'll try to match you with another traveller to split it — never automatic.
- 2-hour hands-on cooking class
- Make momo from scratch — chicken or vegan
- All ingredients included · eat what you cook
- Recipe booklet (PDF) to keep — cook the dish again for years
- Certificate, ImpactTrek apron & t-shirt to take home
- Private — just your group of 2–6, never strangers
You pay on the day, in person — nothing upfront. Cash is easiest: Nepali rupees, or pounds, euros or dollars.
Why this class is different
| Most Kathmandu classes | This class | |
|---|---|---|
| Group size | 12–16 people, shared | Capped at six, never shared |
| Setting | Demo room set up for tourists | A real working café kitchen |
| Who leads it | A hired demonstrator | Chhetra Shrestha, owner of four cafés |
| What you cook | Rushed multi-dish set menu | Momo, made properly by hand |
| Price | Often cheaper, at scale | £35pp — a little more, worlds apart |
Classes fill up 5–7 days ahead during peak trekking season (Oct–Nov · Mar–Apr). Book early to secure your preferred date.
Practical info
Cooking class details — time, location & more
Everything you need to know about the class in Kathmandu before you book.
- Duration
- 2 hours per session — the right length to actually master one dish, not rush through five.
- Location
- Café Mitra, Maharajgunj — Kathmandu. Map pin & directions sent when you book.
- Group size
- Private — just your own group of 2 to 6 people (minimum 2). You never share with strangers.
- Skill level
- All welcome — complete beginners to confident home cooks.
- Language
- Led by chef Chhetra with a dedicated, fluent English-speaking translator beside him the whole class — nothing gets lost.
- Dietary
- Choose chicken or vegan momo — ingredients included. One filling per session, so your group cooks the same one — agree when booking. Please mention any allergies when booking.
- Hygiene
- A clean, professional working café kitchen with running water, fresh produce bought daily, and standard food-safety practices throughout.
- What to bring
- Just yourself — aprons, ingredients and equipment all provided.
- Start time
- 6pm evening session (roughly 6–8pm) any day, plus a 12–2pm midday session on weekends. About two hours either way.
Also included
- →All spices and equipment provided
- →Hands-on instruction throughout — not a demo to watch
- →Welcome masala chiya / tea on arrival
- →Dedicated English-speaking translator with you the whole class
Not included
- —Additional food or drinks beyond the class
- —Tips for your instructor (appreciated but optional)
Who this is for
For curious travellers
Solo & cultural travellers
The kitchen's genuinely yours — cook one-to-one with the chef and translator, at your own pace, no group to keep up with.
Couples
Fold momo side by side, then sit down to the meal you made together — a hands-on evening you'll still talk about.
Friends & groups
Take over the whole kitchen, just your group of up to six — a relaxed alternative to another night out, ending with the dinner you cooked.
Beginners & food lovers
Every step is taught from scratch. Already a keen cook? You'll leave with real technique and a recipe that actually works back home.
On a medical elective or studying abroad in Kathmandu? See our medical elective page.
FAQs
Questions people usually ask
None at all. The class is designed for complete beginners — all techniques are explained step by step. If you can boil water, you can do this class.
Yes — free cancellation up to 48 hours before your class. Reschedules are always welcome, subject to availability. Just drop us a WhatsApp or email. And if we ever need to cancel, we'll notify you as early as possible and offer a full refund or a reschedule.
Choose chicken or vegan momo. Please mention any allergies or dietary needs when you book — we'll adjust accordingly.
Each session focuses on a single filling so the chef can teach it properly, start to finish. Your whole group cooks the one you choose — chicken or vegan — so just agree on it when you book. Want to try the other filling? Book a second session.
Yes. The class runs in a clean, professional working café kitchen, not a makeshift setup. Produce is bought fresh daily, water for cooking and washing is safe, and your host follows the same food-safety standards his cafés run on every day. If you have a sensitive stomach, let us know and we'll keep things gentle.
The class is currently designed for adults. If you're travelling with children, feel free to message us and we'll let you know if that changes.
Yes — every class is private by default. You book for your own group of two to six and never share the kitchen with strangers, so the chef and translator's attention is entirely yours. One person can book for everyone — just enter your own name and email and tell us how many are coming.
Yes — that's the best part. You sit down together at the end of the class and eat everything you made. No rush, no performance. Just food and conversation.
Yes. You get our recipe booklet — a PDF with exact quantities and steps, yours to keep on your phone and cook from for years, so the dish works when you get back home.
Just yourself. Aprons, ingredients, spices, and all equipment are provided. Wear clothes you're comfortable in — kitchens get warm.
The class takes about two hours. We run an evening session from 6pm (roughly 6–8pm) any day of the week — an easy fit if your daytime is taken up with sightseeing, clinical hours or work, finishing with the dinner you cooked yourself. On weekends we also offer a midday session from 12–2pm if you'd rather keep your evening free. Just tell us which suits you when you book.
Yes — please take as many photos as you like. The cooking process makes for great shots, and we encourage you to share them.
The class is held at Café Mitra in Maharajgunj — one of chef Chhetra Shrestha's four Kathmandu cafés. It's easy to reach from most accommodation in Thamel (Kathmandu's main tourist and hotel district) and central Kathmandu; we send a map pin and simple directions when you book.
Café Mitra is central and easy to reach by taxi or a short walk from most Thamel and central Kathmandu hotels — a taxi from Thamel is usually only a few hundred rupees. We're also happy to help arrange pickup if you'd like it — just ask when you book. Either way, we send the exact address, a map pin and simple directions, and we're always on WhatsApp if you need a hand finding it on the day.
There's nothing to pay to enquire or reserve — just send the form or message us and we'll confirm your spot. You then pay on the day, in person, before the class. Cash (Nepali rupees, or pounds/euros/dollars) is easiest; let us know if you'd prefer to pay another way and we'll do our best to help.
In their words
What guests say
Enjoyable and fun.
Nina
United Kingdom
A great authentic momo making experience led by a professional, who helped us have the best cultural time!
Shivali
United Kingdom
A very worthwhile experience that has given me new skills!
Ananya
United Kingdom
Reserve your spot
Reserve your class
The quickest way to book is a WhatsApp message — we usually reply within a few hours. Prefer email? Fill in the form. Either way, there's no payment needed to enquire.
Message us on WhatsApp- 1Message us on WhatsApp (or use the form).
- 2We confirm your date, time and the exact address within a few hours.
- 3Arrive, cook and pay cash on the day — nothing upfront.
Sessions take about two hours. Pick a 6pm evening session any day — or, on weekends, a 12–2pm midday one. Just tell us which suits you and we'll confirm.
While you're in Nepal
More to do around Kathmandu & beyond
Wildlife · Terai lowlands
Chitwan National Park Safari
3 days, 2 nights in Nepal's finest wildlife reserve — jeep safaris, jungle walks, rhinos and 500+ bird species.
View safari package → Trekking · HimalayaHimalayan Treks
Annapurna Base Camp, Langtang Valley, Everest Base Camp — led by guides who've walked these trails their whole lives.
View all treks →Curious about momo? Read how to make momo at home, the story behind Nepal's favourite dumpling, or our guide to cooking classes in Kathmandu.