Weekend Food Tour Across Thamel with Friends

Food And Drinks
Culture and Tradition
The Buzz Nepal
July 18 , 2025

Kathmandu is a city that speaks through its flavors. From crispy sel rotis to juicy momo and cold, spicy laphing, the streets are full of feast. But you don’t always need a pricey reservation or food fest to experience the best bites the city has to offer. Sometimes, all you need is a few hungry friends, some pocket money, and a love for Nepali street food. Welcome to your DIY Food Tour through Thamel and the neighboring food havens of Asan and Indra Chowk.

Here’s a walk-and-eat journey you can try this weekend. It’s perfect for locals who want to rediscover the city or for visitors who want to eat like a true Kathmandu native.

Stop 1: Laphing & Lassi at Narsingh Chowk

Start your afternoon with a chill bite. Head over to Narsingh Chowk, tucked just behind Chhaya Center in Thamel, for the city’s beloved Tibetan snack: laphing. Whether you prefer the soupy version or the dry, noodle-roll style, it’s spicy, tangy, and strangely addictive. Wash it down with a tall glass of iced lassi, sweet or salty, depending on your mood.

BUZZ Tip: Ask for “extra spicy” only if you’re feeling brave. And if you’ve never tried the dry version of laphing with cheese, now’s your chance.

Stop 2: Sweet Traditions at Asan Tole

Next stop is the Ason Tole. Take a short stroll toward Asan Tole, one of the oldest market squares in Kathmandu. Here, centuries-old traditions meet the clatter of modern life and the food reflects that. Stop by the roadside vendors selling lakhamari, bara, and sel roti.

This area is a goldmine for Newari snacks. Ask the vendors about their recipe or you can also try out some new snacks!

BUZZ Tip: Share a pack of mixed sweets with friends and rate each one. Your Newari friend will love to hear it!

Stop 3: Chatpate & Pani Puri at Indra Chowk

Next, follow your cravings toward Indra Chowk, where the tangy magic of chatpate and pani puri awaits. Well who doesn’t love these quick, flavorful, and always buzzing street food. The pani puri here is next level with spicy, minty water that hits you in all the right spots.

BUZZ Tip: Don’t just stop at one pani puri cart and turn it into a tasting battle. Each stall has its own twist!

Stop 4: Momo Hunt

What’s a food tour in Nepal without momo? Whether you go for the creamy jhol momo or the crispy fried ones, you’re in for a treat. Just Dip. Eat. Repeat!

BUZZ Challenge: Have each friend pick a momo stop, try them all, and vote for the “Momo King” of the day.

Final Stop: Durbar Square for Juju Dhau or a Full Newari Feast

Wrap up your tour with something sweet and iconic: juju dhau, the “king of curd” all the way from Bhaktapur that’s available in small clay pots near Durbar Square. If you’ve still got space in your stomach, go all out with a Newari feast which includes chiura, buff chhoila, aloo tama, and spicy pickles.

BUZZ Tip: Bring a portable speaker and play some old-school Nepali music and Newari songs as you chill near the temples. It’s not just a food tour, it’s a Kathmandu moment.

Make It A Game

Want to spice things up even more? Turn the whole day into a challenge:

“Who finds the best momo stall?”
“Try five Newari snacks under Rs. 500!”
“Rate each stop and post it as a story series on Instagram.”

Not only will you end up with a happy stomach, but you’ll also make some of the best memories with your crew.

You don’t have to wait for a festival or a fancy occasion to celebrate Kathmandu’s flavors. This DIY food tour is affordable, exciting, and packed with local love. Whether you’re a longtime resident or someone just getting to know the valley, this walk is a reminder that the city’s best experiences often come wrapped in a paper plate, served hot from a cart, and shared with friends.

So this weekend, skip the usual café and eat the streets. Your taste buds and your Insta feed will thank you for this.

More food maps and local flavor guides coming soon on The BUZZ Nepal. So till then Stay hungry!