A Taste of Himalayan Cuisine at Yak & Yeti

At the crossroads of Nepal, India, and China's Xizang Autonomous Region and Yunnan Province, the Himalayas are not only a majestic natural border but also a cradle of diverse cultures and cuisines. Here, flavors shift with altitude, climate and community – spices are bold, produce is local, and recipes carry centuries of shared history. This rich yet often overlooked culinary heritage has now found a home in Shanghai, thanks to Nepal-born restaurateur Anup Rajbhandari.

For more than 13 years, Rajbhandari made his mark in Shanghai's hospitality world, working at some of the city's most recognizable names – Capo, T8, Bar Rouge. Now, with Yak & Yeti, he finally brings his personal vision to life.

"After more than two decades in hospitality, I always dreamed of having my own intimate space. Having lived in Shanghai for over 16 years, the city truly feels like home now, and I wanted to bring something fresh and unique to it," he said.

In a compact space that seats just 32 on Xiangyang Road N., the restaurant is intimate but layered with culture. A wall adorned with custom-made copper prayer wheels immediately sets the tone: this is not fusion or reinterpretation, but a direct tribute to Himalayan traditions.

Rajbhandari has carefully assembled a culinary team that bridges his roots and his adopted home – one chef flown in from Kathmandu, the other from Yunnan. Together, they serve a menu that blends authenticity with accessibility, highlighting Nepalese staples alongside dishes that echo the wider Himalayan basin. The result is food that is aromatic, hearty, and unapologetically spiced.

The journey begins with Himalayan Nachos (38 yuan/US$5.34) – crispy papadum wafers topped with cucumber, carrots, onions, peanuts and a tangy masala mix. It's fresh, crunchy and addictive, the kind of bite that instantly draws you in. For a playful experience, try Pani Puri (48 yuan), India and Nepal's favorite street snack: fragile shells filled with spiced potato-lentil mix, eaten in one explosive bite after pouring in a splash of flavored water.

Of course, no Himalayan meal is complete without Momos (38 yuan), Nepal's answer to dumplings. At Yak & Yeti, they arrive steaming in sets of three – chicken or pork, paired with dipping sauces. For something more robust, the Grilled Pork Sekuwa (78 yuan) is a standout: pork belly marinated for six hours in spices and herbs, then kissed by charcoal until smoky and tender. Teral Butter Chicken Curry With Pan-Seared Naan (88 yuan) also celebrates the essence of classic North Indian cooking with Yak & Yeti signature touch, enriched with aromatic spices.

There are comfort-driven dishes, too – Pork Keema Noodles (68 yuan), rich with ground pork and spices, and a soft, savory Himalayan Pancake (58 yuan) perfect for brunch or an easy lunch.

The team recently launched a Himalayan Yak Burger (88 yuan) – a bold twist on the classic burger that features a juicy yak patty – lean yet deeply flavorful – grilled to perfection. Layered with crispy lettuce, fresh tomato, burrata cheese and house-made yogurt sauce that highlight Himalayan spices, the result is hearty, rustic with a distinctive mountain flavor you won't forget.

And because no evening in Shanghai is complete without a drink, Yak & Yeti doubles as a cocktail stop. The menu draws inspiration from Himalayan ingredients, making it easy to pair bites like Nachos or Pani Puri with inventive sips.

In a city that thrives on constant reinvention, Yak & Yeti stands out by slowing things down. It's a restaurant rooted in memory, geography, and authenticity – a bridge between Shanghai and the mountain communities that have long thrived in the shadow of the Himalayas. For Rajbhandari, it's more than a first restaurant: it's the realization of a journey that began in Kathmandu and finally finds expression in Shanghai's ever-curious dining scene.

If you go...

Opening hours: 11:30am-1am (Wednesday-Monday); 3pm-1am (Tuesday)

Average price: 180 yuan

Tel: 1592-1230-265

Address: 93B-2 Xiangyang Rd N.

襄阳北路93B-2