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    Zomsa

    4.5 (181 reviews)
    Open 12:00 pm - 3:00 PM, 4:30 PM - 9:00 PM

    Order Zomsa Takeout or Delivery

    Zomsa Photos

    ZOMSA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Zomsa

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    Kukhuru Ko Masu
    Arsha T.

    This is a Nepali Approved place!!! I've been there several times. It's a family-owned place & the vibe is great. I usually order the chicken choila set (bento box) and laphing. Both are a MUST if you go there. Their laphing can be really spicy, so give them a heads up beforehand. Chicken choila set is rich in flavor and gives a sneak peek into Nepalese taste. I ordered Nepali-style chicken (kukhura ko masu) once, and it was good. Reminded me of home. The quantity is great as well. I ordered waiwai chatpatey as well - it was great. Their shabhale/shyabhale is okay-ish. I wouldn't recommend it. Their ambience and service are great. If you have a dog, you can sit outside.

    Chicken Thakali Thali, mutton Goat Thakali Thali
    Sansar C.

    Great food. Owner Prem and his daughter Manjila are very welcoming and very friendly. Their chicken thali is the best. You won't find a Nepalese restaurant around the area this good. Sukuti and their other snacks are greatly natural flavored, no MSG or other artificial flavor to taste food good. So food tastes like prepared at home. Will always come here for Nepalese dish.

    Bento
    Paolo D.

    I've passed by this area so many times and have no idea how I missed this place. it's truly a hidden gem and seriously underrated. This is easily some of the best vegan food I've had in the Bay Area. The service is outstanding attentive, and genuinely welcoming. As for the food, I don't even know where to begin. Everything was fresh, full of flavor, and served hot, which made it clear that it was all freshly prepared. We ordered a variety of dishes and loved every single one. Many people recommend Wai Wai, but it's not vegan. Thankfully, our server suggested the Aloo Nimki instead--it had great flavor, though it's served cold, which wasn't my personal favorite. On the other hand, the Aloo Tikki (potato cakes) were incredible, flavorful, and highly recommended! I also had the Tofu Bento, which was fantastic, and the plain naan (yes, it's vegan!) was unbelievably soft and delicious. I've been here twice already and fully intend to keep coming back until I've tried every vegan option on the menu. If you're vegan--or even just curious--this place is absolutely worth checking out.

    Paul M.

    Great authentic Nepali food and unbelievable taste. Owner and his entire family is very friendly and hospitable. Highly recommend them. Worth the drive and money.

    Veg Jhol Momos (dumplings filled with kale, butternut squash, mushrooms, and spices, served in a cashew/peanut sauce  - vegan, $17)
    James K.

    An impressive array of vegan options (4/5 Green Stars) I would highly recommend trying out this Himalayan restaurant in El Cerrito. There are plenty of options for vegans and vegetarians and the quality every item we ordered was very high. I've had versions of each dish before but was impressed with Zomsa's versions and rate Zomsa as one of the best Himalayan restaurants around. The Aloo Tikki (crispy potato cake with mint and tamarind sauces - vegan, $6) was a great start. The Vegetarian Jhol Momos (dumplings filled with kale, butternut squash, mushrooms, and spices, served in a sauce made from cashews and peanuts - vegan, $14) were really good. Often vegetarian dumplings have forgettable fillings, but I found these momos to be very thoughtfully made and satisfying. The Vegetable Thakali Thali was a great combination of several items that each added to the meal (veg curry, lentil soup, pickled daikon, sautéed mustard greens, and a papad - vegan, $17). Impressed by how satisfying these vegan dishes were - you wouldn't even notice that the entire meal was plant-based. I'm giving Zomsa 4 out of 5 Green Stars for social and environmental impact, for these reasons: * Even though there are several meat dishes, I was impressed by how much of the menu is not just vegetarian but vegan. More than a dozen main courses are vegan, along with several appetizers. Adopting a plant-based diet is the top thing you can do to mitigate climate change and deforestation, besides avoiding animal cruelty and the negative impact of the meat industry on society. * Local beer is available on draft, mitigating packaging and transportation impacts. * The restaurant used to emphasize the use of organic ingredients, but I suspect that the prices became too high to sustain this in El Cerrito. Appreciate the effort though and hope that they still use some organic ingredients, when possible.

    Buffalo momos in a peanut cashew sauce

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    5 months ago

    Simple and best ! Authentic Nepali test ! Run by family, feels like family. I never miss it whenever I am driving by or close by the place !

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

    SO GOOD! If you like Tikka masala, you must go here, best tikka masala I've had (and have had quite a few).

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    1 year ago

    Great food, a bit pricier compared to other Nepalese places in the area but quality of food seams to be decent.

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    1 year ago

    Love the momos at zomsa - esp the bison! Great place. Nice people. Authentic food. The real deal.

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    Tenzin N.

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    Page 1 of 5

    Ask the Community - Zomsa

    Is Beer, Wine or Cocktails available? If not, can you bring in your own bottle of wine for corkage?

    Beer and wine are now available. 4 taps at $6/pint.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    You might also consider

    Little Kathmandu

    Little Kathmandu

    4.6
    (88 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    My husband and I go there twice a month if not more. Their…read morecurry is very flavorful, not sweet like other Americanized restaurants. Tahli is my go to. Comes with a choice of curry (chicken), vegi curry, lintel curry, stirred green, rice, rice pudding and pickles. You can ask more for rice and condiments. The price is reasonable for the quality and quantity. The servers are very kind and just good manner in general. It's rare to see a willing servers nowadays so we feel very good from tummy to heart!

    A tiny shack around El cerrito, this place is easy to miss and very small. Good for a family…read moregathering and has an intimate feel. I went with some co workers for lunch and we shared what we individually ordered amongst ourselves because it was our first time getting Nepali food. When we arrived, there was no one at the front. Mind you, we came in 30 mins after opening for lunch. We rang the bell multiple times and then as we were about to go to a different place, thinking there was no one around, the cook came out and took our orders. I could tell he was a but overwhelmed since we were a group of 5, but he was really nice and courteous. He also answered the questions we had concerning the food. It took about 40 - 50 mins for our food to get in. We were the only ones in the restaurant so I'm surprised it took the long. That being said, i realized there was only one cook in the kitchen to it makes sense why it took so long however, I was not mentally prepared to wait that long. Around 12 pm, the hostess came in and was shocked to see us. She apologized for being late and wanted to get our orders but we told her the cook already got them. After waiting for about 50 mins, we finally got our orders. The food was AMAZING. Starting with the chicken sekuwa. It was a complete 10/10. I would definitely come back just for this. It was seasoned to perfection, very tender and juicy. The C Momo was very crispy and covered in a nice sweet chilli sauce. They're like deep fried dumplings. I would give it an 8/10. The lamb curry was very savory and filling. We got that with some rice and roti. It paired very well. I would also rate that an 8/10. The lamb thali was good but I think I was overwhelmed with everything on the plate. It was not bad, the lamb and lentil soup were good but I think I did not know how best to eat it so I could not fully appreciate it. I would give it a 6.5 The thai iced tea was pretty standard one. Very nice and not too sweet. 8/10 for ne The food here was pretty remarkable. I usually don't care about 'bad' service but this one really had a huge impact and stopped me from giving it a higher rating. I would not be too keen on coming back here with how understaffed they are but I do understand. If you're not in a rush, and are ready to grow your fruit of patience, I would definitely say the food is worth the wait and it was really good.

    Photos
    Chicken Chhoila Set
    Chicken Chhoila Set
    Beef Momo
    Beef Momo
    Garlic Naan

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    Garlic Naan
    Newari Kitchen

    Newari Kitchen

    4.7
    (22 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    What a yummy find! I…read morewas craving Nepalese food & was happy to find plenty of options around El Cerrito. I thought they might be closed because the front gate is closed, but if the side gate through the parking lot is open, it's open. They have a nice big open lot with tables to eat, and an inside tent as well. They were closing a little early for another event, so I waited about 15 minutes to get takeout and took it to a nearby park. The Chatamari is a great gluten-free option with its rice dough, I wasn't sure if it would be enough for a meal but it was plenty for $12! Topped with minced chicken, egg & a ton of spice, this place is not dialing down the spice for 'American' palates. Like a 'pizza' the rice dough is nice and chewy, but doesn't make you feel too stuffed. I want to go back and try the Bala made with lentils, and the Yomari dessert. The momo have a nice strong wrapper (hate it when those fall apart), good size with 8 for $12, they gave me half veggie & meat, thank you! The $5 mango lassi was delish, very yogurt-y, not enough of it to keep up with all the spice in my meal though. With its reasonable prices & good portions, it's a great option nearby for a tasty lunch or dinner.

    Delicious food! Overall great experience so far. Delicious Momo and chicken chwela was great but…read moretoo spicy that I was sweating and my tongue burned.

    Photos
    Newari Kitchen
    Alu sadeko, not newari style. Not sure where the flavor is from. Pani puri is okay but not what we came for.
    Alu sadeko, not newari style. Not sure where the flavor is from. Pani puri is okay but not what we came for.
    Veggie Chowmein

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    Veggie Chowmein
    Everest Kitchen

    Everest Kitchen

    4.6
    (374 reviews)
    1.5 mi
    $$
    Family-owned & operated
    Wheelchair accessible

    After some drinks down the block, we stopped here for Happy Hour for some food and drinks. They…read morehave a large patio in front, which is where dined since we had a little fur baby with us. Everest is a Nepali / Indian restaurant and we were looking forward to the momos. Checking out the Happy Hour menu, we ordered a bunch of items. Chicken Momo, Pork Momo, Cheese Momo, Pani Puri, Pork Ribs, Cheese Naan and Dip, and Garlic Naan and Dip. The Momos came four to an order with a tomato-sesame chutney. The pork momos came in a unique shape and the chicken ones resembled potstickers. The chicken ones were much plumper and filled with juicy chicken. Never tried Pani Puri and these came four to an order with crispy shell filled with potatoes, chickpeas, spices on top of a glass with tangy water. You pour the water into the shell and pop it in your mouth. Fun and tasty. The naans were light and tasty and they came with a creamy dip. Pork ribs came two to an order. Friend said they were nothing special. Service was friendly and efficient. After placing our orders, food came out after a short wait. Will definitely come back if in the area.

    On July 4, I wanted to eat some Indian food. A friend had mentioned this restaurant and a couple…read moreothers to choose from. I decided to try this place because it had lunch Thali (specials) and chicken pumpkin which I thought was interesting. We went there early afternoon and got seated quickly. There's inside and outside seating. I decided on the chicken pumpkin thali, ordered pani puri and a mango lassi. My friend ordered the chicken tikka masala thali. The thali comes in a metal lunch style tray. In each section is something different. It comes with rice, salad, daal, naan, papad, avocado raita, potato cucumber achar, and your choice of the entrees listed. The pani puri came out fast. The dough shells were crispy and filled with a spiced mashed potato filling. The tangy flavor water helped cut through the filling. Just dont put too much of the water on it. The mango lassi was good, a little on the sweeter side. I got the chicken pumpkin medium spicy, which felt like a medium. Chicken pumpkin was velvety, had a decent amount of chicken pieces although a little dry. I could taste the pumpkin which had sweetness. I feel for the price of the lunch Thali ranging from $18-21 depending which entree is a good deal since you can try a few different dishes/sides. I wouldn't mine coming again to try other dishes or happy hour.

    Photos
    Everest Kitchen
    Veggie Chili Momo (Vegan)
    Veggie Chili Momo (Vegan)
    Nimki Chaat

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    Nimki Chaat
    MOMOlicious

    MOMOlicious

    4.7
    (7 reviews)
    0.5 mi

    There are so many open lots of land in El Cerrito, and so excited for MOMOlicious to not only come…read moreto the area..but to be utilizing their space in such a fun and cool way with the food truck. Located next to the Peppermint Tree Plaza, MOMOlicious offers authentic Nepali bites in casual fashion. I appreciated the menu explaining what a mo mo is, the type of fillings offered, and different mo mo menu options. We ordered the Ultimate Jhol Mo:mo (steamed momo) served in a classic soup made from sesame seeds, tomato, cilantro, and soybean. We chose chicken. We also ordered the Nepali Chowmein with chicken as well. Loved the unique flavors, the textures, and exploration of this culinary cuisine. The owner came over and chatted with us about the menu and future of the space. Earlier in the day they brought mini ponies for the kiddos to ride! Very much looking forward to bringing our friends back here as the weather is getting better for corn hole and outdoor entertainment. Also looking forward to exploring more of the menu, meats, and other mo mo options (maybe the crispy version next time) and mango lassi. You can really feel the love made in the food here and excitement for what's to come ~ congratulations on your new opening in EC!

    Tried MOMOlicious for the first time and overall had a good experience! We ordered the chicken chow…read moremein and the chicken momos. Personally, I enjoyed the chow mein way more-it was super flavorful and had a unique twist compared to other chow meins I've had. The momos were decent, but the chicken had a bit too much of a clove flavor for my taste, and I wish the sauce had a little more punch to it. Service was solid! Everything is made fresh, so it took a little longer than expected, but they've got a game area in front of the truck, so we passed the time playing cornhole, which was a nice touch for some fun ambiance. The only downside is the parking-it's a bit tight and street parking can be tough, especially on weekends. I'd definitely come back to try more of their menu. The chow mein alone is worth a return trip!

    Photos
    A very nice outside area with music and games - jenga and cornhole
    A very nice outside area with music and games - jenga and cornhole
    Nepali Chicken Chowmein and the Ultimate Jhol mo:mo with chicken
    Nepali Chicken Chowmein and the Ultimate Jhol mo:mo with chicken
    Outdoor seating area with activities

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    Outdoor seating area with activities
    Aangan

    Aangan

    4.3
    (751 reviews)
    1.5 mi
    $$
    Family-owned & operated
    15 years in business

    Amazing food and wonderful hospitality! Everything we tried was very tasty and full of authentic…read moreflavor. I especially loved the Chicken Biryani and Jhol Momo -- they were absolutely delicious and full of rich taste. The staff and owner were very welcoming and friendly, which made the whole experience even better. Highly recommend Aagan Restaurant & Bar to anyone looking for great food and a nice atmosphere. I'll definitely visit again!

    Restaurant was nice and clean with beautiful decoration. Not many parties in restaurant when we…read morewent so we chose where to sit. Food itself tasted amazing and was extremely well flavored. Granting them the 4 stars. You can choose the spice level as well. Every dish we got we enjoyed. Lassis were sweet, yogurty, and had nice spice to it. The fish thali has wonderful flavor that paired well with the sides (except cold potatoes were ok). Samosas chana were also well flavored, paired well with the sauces and chickpeas, and crispy after being deep fried. Tikka masala and butter chicken were served in roughly 8 inch length dishes. Wonderfully seasoned, I would eat them for the sauce alone and chicken was tender. Served with rice and works great with it, but we also got some garlic naan (very garlicky would recommend). Chicken momos were ok in my opinion. Ok flavor but juicy and skin wasn't too thick. Isn't my taste personally, but similar to a korean mandu. However, can't rate them 5 stars because the service wasn't that great. We weren't checked on at all during our meal (or any of the tables next to us), no one even came to refill water. We had to flag them repeatedly to try and get the check and get a bag for our leftovers. They were attentive to what containers we needed for our leftovers though. I'd recommend this place for the food if you are ok with potentially lackluster service

    Photos
    Butter, garlic , and cheese naan!
    Butter, garlic , and cheese naan!
    Samosa chana
    Samosa chana
    Veg thali is goog.   Small bowls each of mixed veg, lentil, yogurt gravy and saag paneer, rice.  Salt.

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    Veg thali is goog. Small bowls each of mixed veg, lentil, yogurt gravy and saag paneer, rice. Salt.

    Zomsa - himalayan - Updated July 2026

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