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Sherpa Kitchen brings the cooking of Nepal to Esher High Street, with a menu spanning momo, marinated meats, slow-cooked lamb, Tibetan noodles, vegetable dishes and curries fragrant with ginger, chilli, coriander and spice.
At 132 High Street, it has the feel of an established neighbourhood restaurant rather than an occasion-led dining room. For those interested in exploring Nepalese cooking in Surrey, the menu’s breadth and distinctiveness give Sherpa Kitchen much of its appeal.
Nepalese Cooking in the Heart of Esher
Sherpa Kitchen’s identity is firmly rooted in Nepalese food, with dishes drawing on different ingredients and cooking styles from across the country’s cuisine. Tibetan influences also appear, most clearly in Talumien Soup, prepared with chicken, vegetables, egg and noodles.
The kitchen moves between steamed dumplings, grilled and marinated meats, curries and vegetable dishes. Chilli, ginger, garlic, coriander, yoghurt and sesame recur throughout, used in combinations that give the menu considerable variety.
The High Street Dining Room
Sherpa Kitchen has a modest High Street frontage and a relatively small dining room with Nepalese touches throughout. The atmosphere is informal and relaxed, well suited to the restaurant’s style.
It works comfortably for a casual dinner, a meal with friends or a family gathering, particularly when several dishes are ordered for the table.
A Taste of the Himalayas in Esher
The menu is extensive, but a considered selection gives the clearest sense of the kitchen. Familiar combinations of meat, seafood and spiced sauces sit alongside dishes with a more distinctly Nepalese identity.
To Begin
Momos are an obvious starting point. The steamed dumplings come with pork or chicken and tomato chutney. Dayalu combines potato, lentils, spinach and herbs in a cake served with sesame pickle, while Vegetable Khaja is a crisp pastry parcel filled with vegetables and accompanied by sesame seed pickle.
Bhutuwa brings stir-fried chicken liver seasoned with Nepalese spices, while Sekuwa Parbat features lamb marinated with spices and yoghurt. Seafood choices include lightly spiced Tareko Squid, Prawn Sinka with sesame, ginger and garlic, and Asala Macha, yoghurt-marinated salmon with dried fruit paste cooked in the clay oven. Talumien Soup offers a Tibetan-style combination of chicken, vegetables, egg and noodles.
Meat, Fish and House Specialities
Mooli Chicken combines chicken with white radish and spices, while Pokhareli Lamb is a spiced lamb preparation from western Nepal finished with finely sliced ginger. Pork Masu brings together pork, onion, ginger and coriander, and the hotter Piro Lamb adds green chilli, garlic and coriander.
For something milder, Mayalu Lamb is cooked in a nutty sauce with fresh cream and smoked honey. Rara Chicken pairs barbecued chicken with a tomato and cream sauce and almonds.
Khasi Tang, one of Sherpa Kitchen’s signature dishes, consists of slow-cooked lamb knuckle with chickpeas. The Chef’s Specials also include Solti Chicken with green chilli, ginger, garlic and coriander, and Chicken Asworya with garlic and fresh coriander in a creamy tomato sauce. Methi is available with chicken, lamb or prawns.
Seafood choices extend to Janaki Prawn in a light coconut and saffron sauce, Prawn Asworya with garlic and coriander, and Aduwa Machha, pan-seared white fish with ginger and spring onion. Lasoon Machha takes a hotter direction with ginger, garlic, peppers and chilli-garlic sauce.
Vegetables, Rice and Sides
The vegetable selection has enough variety to play a substantial role in the meal. Kalo Daal is joined by Palungo Sag, while Aloo Kauli combines cauliflower and potatoes in a light onion and tomato sauce. Aloo Ra Bodi pairs runner beans with potato, garlic and onion gravy, and Chayu-Ko-Tarkari combines button mushrooms and green peas with herbs and crushed coriander seeds.
Rice choices include Bhat, Rashilo Bhat, Bhuteko Bhat and Tibetan Fried Rice. Nan comes plain or with garlic, while Gulyo Roti is prepared with almonds, coconut and sultanas. Together, they make it easy to build a meal around several dishes for the table.
The Sherpa Kitchen Experience
Sherpa Kitchen rewards some exploration of the menu. Momo and Dayalu provide accessible introductions, while Mooli Chicken, Pokhareli Lamb and Khasi Tang delve further into the restaurant’s Nepalese cooking.
The mood remains relaxed, with friendly, attentive service helping diners navigate dishes that may be unfamiliar. This makes Sherpa Kitchen particularly approachable for those discovering Nepalese cuisine while leaving plenty for those already familiar with it.
A Different Side of Esher Dining
Sherpa Kitchen stands out on Esher High Street for the breadth of its Nepalese cooking, particularly its momo, marinated meats, regional lamb dishes and vegetable preparations.
It is well suited to a relaxed dinner and rewards ordering beyond the most familiar choices. Mooli Chicken, Pokhareli Lamb and Khasi Tang are among the dishes that best capture what makes the restaurant worth seeking out.
Location: 132 High St, Esher KT10 9QJ
