On a damp Tuesday afternoon in Folkestone, the search for authentic Himalayan flavours leads to an unexpected culinary hotspot. This Kent seaside town is home to an astonishing six Nepalese restaurants, a concentration that makes perfect sense once you learn it hosts the First Battalion, Royal Gurkha Rifles. Where these brave soldiers go for a taste of home, food lovers are wise to follow.
An Alpine Chalet in Kent
Downstairs at Nepali Kitchen on Sandgate High Street, the decor suggests an Alpine chalet more than a Himalayan retreat, complete with a fish tank and wooden bar. The excellent wine list, curated by expert Zeren Wilson, complements a menu brimming with unfamiliar delights: thukpas, thalis, sekuwa, sandeko, and chaats.
A Feast of Himalayan Flavours
With the guidance of owner and ex-Gurkha Tej Tamnag, the culinary journey begins. The dried buffalo sukuti is dense, dark, and satisfyingly chewy. Peanut sandeko sees nuts vigorously spiced with chaat masala—a sour, hot, and black salty blend—and a fistful of fresh herbs.
Aloo nimki combines freshly made wheat crackers with red onions, potato, green chilli, and more of that addictive chaat masala, creating a joyous riot of texture and throat-tingling spice.
The pork belly sekuwa features dry-spiced skewers grilled over charcoal, served with a fierce chilli dip—a perfect combination of fat, chew, and char.
The Star Attraction: Momo Dumplings
Then come the momo, the famous dumplings with Tibetan roots and a Nepalese soul. The pastry, made fresh daily, achieves a perfect slithery texture—neither too dense nor too thin. The jhool momo arrive in a thick, cumin-heavy broth, with both fried and steamed versions available. They are, in a word, immense.
Patrons can choose their heat level from one to ten. Even at the highest setting, the chillies brace and invigorate rather than overwhelm. This is food that makes the senses whoop, each bite a heady, intricately spiced revelation.
Leaving Nepali Kitchen, one staggers out abuzz on a wave of chilli-fuelled delight. The previously dreary winter's day suddenly feels a whole lot sunnier. A meal here costs about £25 per head, offering an unforgettable taste of Nepal in the heart of Folkestone.
Nepali Kitchen, 35-37 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20; nepalikitchen.co.uk
