Eating at a top restaurant in Calgary is about more than just great ambience and friendly service. It's the food that often makes you want to come back for more! Nepalese cuisine has plenty to offer, from flavourful momos and comforting noodle dishes to meals packed with traditional spices and unique flavours. If you've tried Nepalese food before or are curious to explore it for the first time, finding the right dishes to start with can make all the difference. In this blog, we'll walk you through crowd-pleasing dishes worth adding to your must-try list and the best restaurant in Calgary to sample them.
Popular Nepalese Dishes Every Food Lover Should Try At Least Once
1. Momo: Nepal's Beloved Dumplings
When it comes to the best Nepalese food, momos are often the first dish that comes to mind. This dish comes in several versions, including vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. These dumplings feature a dough wrapper filled with seasoned ingredients and served in different styles to suit different tastes.
Here are some momo varieties to try:
- Steamed Momo: A classic and comforting option that features a soft wrapper and savoury filling. You can choose from chicken, mutton, vegetable, or paneer-and-vegetable varieties.
- Fried Momo: Fried momos are made with the same dumpling filling as steamed momos but are deep-fried until golden and crispy, adding a satisfying crunch to every bite.
- Chilli Momo: Chilli momo offers a fiery twist on traditional dumplings. Filled with your choice of vegetables or meat, these momos are tossed in a spicy, tangy sauce with bell peppers, garlic, onions and chillies.
- Timur Momo: Timur momo offers a unique Himalayan twist on traditional dumplings. Timur, a distinctive spice widely used in Himalayan cuisine, has a citrusy flavour and a tingling sensation on the tongue. It adds a zesty kick to the momos, making them a great choice if you enjoy trying something a little different.
- Jhol Momo: Most varieties of dumplings are prepared dry, unlike jhol momo. Dumplings with your choice of fillings are served with a flavourful sauce or broth, offering a comforting experience with every bite.
- Tandoori Momo: Tandoori momos combine the goodness of dumplings with the smoky flavours of tandoori cooking. These momos are coated in a spiced marinade and cooked until lightly charred on the outside, giving them a smoky aroma and a slightly crispy texture.
- Malai Momo: Malai momos are coated in a creamy marinade with mild spices. This gives them a rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture. If you prefer less heat and more creamy goodness, these momos are sure to hit the spot.
- Sizzling Momo: Sizzling momos definitely have main character energy! They arrive on a hot plate, bringing that tempting sizzle and smoky aroma you just can't ignore.
If you are searching online for dumplings in Calgary, momos deserve a place at the top of your list. Their wide variety makes them an ideal choice for sharing with a group of friends or ordering alongside other Nepali specialties.
Hungry for something delicious? From flavourful momos to comforting Nepali favourites, there’s plenty to explore. Take a look at our menu and find your next favourite!
2. Thukpa: A Comforting Bowl of Nepalese Noodle Soup
Few foods offer as much comfort as a steaming bowl of noodle soup, especially during Calgary’s harsh cold weather. Thukpa is a popular Himalayan noodle soup that brings together noodles, fresh vegetables, and aromatic spices.
At Calgary Momo House, we offer vegetable, chicken and shrimp thukpa. Each variation combines comforting noodle soup with ingredients that create a filling meal.
For those who prefer a meat-free option, vegetable thukpa is a good choice. Chicken thukpa, on the other hand, offers a filling alternative, while shrimp thukpa brings seafood goodness into the mix.
For people exploring Asian food in Calgary, thukpa is an excellent alternative to more familiar noodle soups.
3. Traditional Nepali Thali: A Complete Meal on One Plate
A thali is a traditional platter that offers an experience to explore traditional Nepali cuisine. The thali brings together several components to create a satisfying meal.
Calgary Momo House offers a chicken thali that includes a portion of chicken curry, a serving of rice, dal and other side dishes. The goat version features goat curry with rice, dal and sides. The vegetable thali includes rice, dal, seasonal vegetable mains and sides.
For anyone interested in traditional Nepali food, a thali is an excellent choice. It is also a practical option if you want a complete lunch or dinner rather than ordering several individual dishes.
4. Sekuwa: Smoky, Charcoal-Grilled Goat
If you love grilled meat, Sekuwa is a dish to look out for. The dish features marinated meat cooked over a flame or charcoal, creating a unique smoky flavour.
The dish brings together the flavour of grilled goat, the texture of flaked rice and complementary sides. Sekuwa can be an interesting choice when dining with friends who want to explore different Nepalese flavours. For food lovers searching for the best food in Calgary, exploring regional dishes like Sekuwa can make a restaurant visit more enjoyable.
5. Chatpate: A Crunchy, Tangy Nepalese Snack
Chatpate is a popular Nepalese-style snack known for its combination of crunchy ingredients and tangy flavours.
Calgary Momo House offers chatpate with puffed rice, noodles, peas, peanuts, tomatoes, cucumber, onions, potatoes, lemon and chilli. Together, these combinations create a hearty snack good for sharing with family and friends.
Try it alongside steamed momo or another favourite for a varied dining experience.
6. Chowmein: Nepalese-Style Stir-Fried Noodles
Chowmein is another popular option for diners who enjoy noodle dishes. Options include vegetable chowmein, chicken chowmein, sukuti chowmein and Nepali shrimp chowmein.
The vegetable version blends stir-fried vegetables with noodles and chili sauce. The chicken version adds tender bite-sized pieces of chicken with spices. The sukuti version, on the other hand, features dried and spiced meat. The shrimp version offers seafood goodness with vegetables and seasonings.
If you are looking for the best Asian food, chowmein provides a great starting point.
7. Sandheko Aaloo: Marinated Potatoes with a Spicy Kick
Potato dishes are popular across many South Asian cuisines, but their seasonings and sides can make every version slightly different from the others.
Sandheko aaloo is among the popular Nepalese recipes known for their earthy flavour of potatoes with fragrant herbs and spices. A squeeze of lime adds brightness, while chilli contributes heat and the other ingredients build texture.
Sandheko aaloo can be enjoyed as an appetizer or alongside other dishes from the menu.
8. Kheer and Gulab Jamun: A Sweet Finish
A satisfying meal deserves a sweet ending. At our restaurant, we offer a combination featuring kheer and gulab jamun.
Kheer is a creamy rice pudding commonly made with milk, rice and sweeteners. It has a soft texture with gentle sweetness, making it a widely enjoyed dessert.
Gulab jamun consists of soft and sweet dumplings served in sugar syrup. It is a popular dessert across South Asia and is often enjoyed during celebrations and special occasions.
Why Explore Calgary Momo House for Nepalese Food?
Finding a top restaurant in Calgary that lives up to your expectations is about more than choosing a popular cuisine. The variety of the menu, availability of vegetarian and meat-based options, and different dishes can all influence your dining experience.
At Calgary Momo House, we offer a menu that brings together several Nepalese favourites. Our menu offers different momo preparations, thukpa, Nepali thali, sekuwa, chatpate and chowmein among other delicious options.
- For first-time visitors: Start with a variety of momos, particularly steamed momos if you are new to trying dumplings. You can also order thukpa for a more indulgent experience.
- For groups: If you are planning to dine in with a group of friends, we’d recommend that you order a momo platter and shareable snacks such as chatpate.
- For a complete meal: Choose a traditional Nepali thali or pair a main course with an appetizer for the best experience.
- For noodle lovers: Explore different chowmein options on our menu and pick what appeals to you the most.
- For vegetarian diners: You can choose between vegetable momo, vegetable thukpa, vegetable thali, or sandheko aaloo.
- For dessert lovers: Finish your meal on a sweet note with a kheer and gulab jamun combination.
If you want to try something different from what’s mentioned above, browse our menu for more versatile options or ask our servers for the best recommendations.
Final Thoughts
Nepalese cuisine offers a variety of flavours, textures, and meal styles, and Calgary Momo House brings several of these options together on one menu.
Whether you are exploring Calgary places to eat, searching for dumplings, or deciding where to experience the best Asian food in Calgary, these menu options offer a useful starting point.
Visit Calgary Momo House to explore our Nepalese-inspired menu, try something new, and discover which dishes become your favourites.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What Nepalese dishes can you try at Calgary Momo House?
- Calgary Momo House's menu includes several momo varieties, vegetable and chicken thukpa, momo thukpa, traditional Nepali thali, goat sekuwa, chatpate, sandheko aaloo, and different chowmein options. Kheer and gulab jamun are also a dessert combination that you should try.
- What are the best dumplings to try in Calgary?
- Momo is a popular Nepalese dumpling worth exploring. Calgary Momo House offers steamed, fried, chilli, timur, jhol, tandoori, sizzling and malai momo, with a selection of meat and vegetarian fillings.
- Does Calgary Momo House offer vegetarian Nepalese food?
- Yes. Our menu includes vegetable and paneer-and-vegetable momo, vegetable thukpa, vegetable Nepali thali, vegetable chowmein, and sandheko aaloo. Check with the restaurant about ingredients and preparation if you have allergies or specific dietary requirements.
- What is a good main course for someone trying Nepalese food for the first time?
- Traditional Nepali thali is a good choice if you want to experience several items in one meal. Alternatively, chicken or vegetable thukpa offers a comforting noodle soup, while chowmein is a familiar option with Nepalese-style flavours.
- Where can you explore Nepalese food in Calgary?
- Calgary Momo House is one option for exploring Nepalese dishes in Calgary. Visit our official website to view restaurant information and our food menu to check available dishes before visiting.
Planning your next meal out? Bring your favourite people along and enjoy good food, great company, and a table waiting just for you.
About the Author
Chef Prakash is the founder of Calgary Momo House. Known for his passion for traditional recipes and fresh ingredients, Chef Prakash takes pride in serving handcrafted momos and flavorful dishes that bring people together. Through Calgary Momo House, he continues to introduce guests to the rich tastes and warm hospitality of the Himalayas.
