A bowl of flavorful Thukpa, packed with fresh vegetables, noodles, and garnished with cilantro and spring onions – a perfect winter comfort food as served on Thursday, November 22, 2024. Photo taken by: Anish Bhattarai/Conestoga College.


Thukpa is a noodle soup combined with boiled vegetables, widely popular in Kathmandu and the Himalayan region of Nepal. Particularly during the winter months, people enjoy sipping on Thukpa as it helps keep the body warm. 

Being a hot and comforting dish, Thukpa is ideal for those living in colder regions. It is commonly eaten for lunch and is often paired with tomato achar for added spice and flavor.

The Nepali version of Thukpa draws inspiration from Tibetan noodle soup, as it originally comes from eastern Tibet. It is a favorite among Tibetans and Nepalis and is equally cherished by people in Sikkim and Darjeeling, India.

There are various types of Thukpa, and the Nepali version stands out for its spiciness and rich flavors. It can be prepared as either a vegetarian or non-vegetarian dish. Vegetarian Thukpa includes just vegetables and noodles, while the non-vegetarian version typically includes chicken.