A few steps from the Jackson Heights, Roosevelt Avenue subway station, the aroma of sel roti, jhol momo, Nepali thali, sukuti and bhutan offers diners an immediate introduction to Nepal.
This is Nepali Bhanchha Ghar, a Jackson Heights restaurant widely known within the Nepali diaspora as “Bimala Didi’s Bhanchha Ghar.” In 2026, the restaurant earned a place on The New York Times’ list of the 100 best restaurants in New York City, bringing wider recognition to its authentic Nepali food and immigrant success story.
From Nepal to New York
Bimala Hamal Shrestha moved to the United States in 2008 and opened the first Nepali Bhanchha Ghar location in 2015. Her aim was to introduce diners to the kind of traditional food served in Nepali homes.
In the early years, many non-Nepali customers knew little about Nepal’s cuisine. To encourage them to try something unfamiliar, Shrestha began offering complimentary sel roti, the ring-shaped rice bread traditionally prepared during festivals and family celebrations.
The simple gesture helped generate curiosity. Customers who first tasted sel roti gradually began exploring Nepali thali, dal bhat, dhindo, momo, sukuti and other regional dishes.
The Restaurant Behind New York’s “Momo Queen”
Momo has played a major role in the restaurant’s rise.
Nepali Bhanchha Ghar has repeatedly won the popular Jackson Heights Momo Crawl. Its official website says it won the competition for three consecutive years, while a 2019 profile described the restaurant as the contest’s first two-time winner and called Shrestha New York’s “Momo Queen.”
The menu includes vegetable, potato, chicken, beef, goat, paneer and shrimp momo, served steamed, fried or in a lightly spiced jhol broth.
Food as Cultural Identity
For Shrestha, food is more than a product. It is a way of introducing Nepal’s identity, traditions and cultural history to a wider audience.
That philosophy is reflected in a menu that goes beyond the internationally familiar momo. Sel roti, Nepali set meals, dhindo, samay baji, sekuwa, sukuti, bhutan and bhatmas sadeko all form part of the restaurant’s presentation of Nepal’s diverse culinary traditions.
Some non-Nepali diners have even embraced the customary practice of eating the restaurant’s thali meals by hand—an experience that connects the flavours on the plate with the culture surrounding them.
Building a Business in a Competitive City
Running an independent restaurant in New York is demanding, particularly for an immigrant entrepreneur facing high costs and intense competition.
Shrestha’s journey involved years of uncertainty, but consistency, hospitality and confidence in authentic Nepali flavour helped the restaurant develop a loyal following.
In October 2025, local New York publication Hell Gate described Nepali Bhanchha Ghar as a decade-old Jackson Heights favourite and a food-crawl mainstay. Its subsequent inclusion in The New York Times’ 2026 restaurant list marked another major step in its journey from neighbourhood kitchen to recognised dining destination.
More Than a Restaurant
Within New York’s Nepali community, Shrestha is also regarded as a supportive social and community figure. Her restaurant has become a familiar meeting place where immigrants can reconnect with the taste and memory of home.
For diners from other backgrounds, Nepali Bhanchha Ghar provides an accessible introduction to Nepal’s food culture.
Its recognition by The New York Times is therefore more than an individual business achievement. It represents the growing visibility of Nepali cuisine, the resilience of immigrant entrepreneurs and the power of food to carry cultural identity across borders.
Nepali Bhanchha Ghar at a Glance
Location: 74-15 Roosevelt Avenue, Jackson Heights, New York
Opened: 2015
Owner: Bimala Hamal Shrestha
Recognition: Included in The New York Times’ 2026 list of New York City’s 100 best restaurants
Known for: Momo, sel roti, Nepali thali, dhindo, sukuti, chowmein and bhutan
