Indian food is one of my favorite cuisines in the world.

But I’ll admit, after devouring as much as I could for 2 months straight, from Kolkata street food to north Indian curries in Delhi, when we flew to Kathmandu, Nepal, we were ready for some Chinese food (after all, I’m half Chinese).

Having met up with good friends Marv and Jo from Intrepid Motion, they recommended a Chinese restaurant near Thamel street in Kathmandu known as Man Tang Hong Hot Pot.

As soon as I walked into the restaurant I felt right at home, like I was in China.

The good ol’ atmosphere type of restaurant where people come to stuff themselves with huge meals, the meals that make you sweat while you’re eating (even though it was cold outside)!

At Man Tang Hong Hot Pot they serve Sichuan style hot pots, but also a full menu of stir fried dishes.

I first order a plate of mapo tofu, a plate of silky soft tofu glistening in red chili oil with minced pork and green onions. With hot steamed rice, it was sensational.

Next we ordered stir fried greens, kind of like a water spinach.

It was steamed, piled with diced ginger and garlic, and in a soy sauce based dressing that was extremely fragrant with toasted sesame oil. Another winner.

Lastly we ordered a free range chicken sliced into bite sized pieces, swimming in dried and fresh chillies, and topped with onions, toasted peanuts, and sesame seeds.

I’ll admit, I do enjoy slightly chewy, free range, freshly slaughtered chicken – you feel like you’re eating poultry that’s natural with some good texture to it. This chicken was all that and more.

The combination of fresh ingredients and the chili oil made it outstanding.

I loved the food at Man Tang Hong Hot Pot restaurant so much that throughout our few weeks stay in Kathmandu we ate here maybe five or six times. And after every meal, we were left stuffed and utterly satisfied, warm bellies packed full of marvelous spicy Chinese food!

Man Tang Hong Hot Pot – Kathmandu, Nepal

The restaurant is located along Amrit Marg, the street parallel to Thamel street. Here’s the map so you can find it easier:

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