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🇳🇵 Nepal /Culture & Society

Prague restaurant brings Nepal to Czech diners through food and culture

From Kathmandu Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • Lumbini-Indická a Nepálská Restaurace in Prague offers Nepali and Indian cuisine, serving as a cultural hub for the Nepali diaspora.
  • The family-run restaurant, managed by Baikuntha and Anjana Rayamajhi, aims to preserve and promote Nepali culture in the Czech Republic.
  • Beyond food, the establishment hosts traditional music performances and events, fostering community and cultural exchange.

A vibrant mural of the Buddha welcomes visitors to Lumbini-Indická a Nepálská Restaurace, a family-run establishment in Prague that offers Czech diners a taste of Nepal. The restaurant, located in the Žižkov district, serves a combination of Nepali and Indian dishes, including momo, dal bhat, and thali, alongside Indian favorites. It operates an 'all-you-can-eat buffet' from Monday to Friday, attracting a diverse clientele of Nepali, Indian, and Czech customers.

For owners Baikuntha and Anjana Rayamajhi, the restaurant is more than just a place to eat; it's a mission to preserve and promote Nepali culture far from home. They took over management over two years ago, with Baikuntha recalling the opportunity arose unexpectedly. "I jokingly asked the owner if he wanted to sell the restaurant," he said. "We negotiated as a joke, but eventually the deal actually happened."

I jokingly asked the owner if he wanted to sell the restaurant. We negotiated as a joke, but eventually the deal actually happened.

— Baikuntha RayamajhiRecounting how he came to manage the Nepali restaurant in Prague.

The restaurant's cultural significance is amplified by its collection of traditional Nepali musical instruments, including a full Naumati Baja set. Baikuntha, who has led a Naumati Baja team since 2013, performs at events across the Czech Republic and Europe. He and his wife, Anjana, also sing traditional Nepali dohori songs, making music an integral part of their family life and the restaurant's identity.

Baikuntha's commitment to cultural preservation extends beyond the restaurant. He is the founding president of the International Nepali Artists Society (INAS) Czech Republic. "When I started organising programmes, there weren’t many Nepali cultural events here," he noted. "Now there are many more people involved." The restaurant frequently hosts programs for visiting Nepali artists, solidifying its role as a central point for the Nepali community and a gateway to Nepali culture for Czech diners.

When I started organising programmes, there weren’t many Nepali cultural events here. Now there are many more people involved.

— Baikuntha RayamajhiDescribing the growth of Nepali cultural events in the Czech Republic.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Kathmandu Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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