If you have spotted "Thakali Thali" on a Nepali menu in London and wondered what it actually is, you are not alone. It is one of the most asked-about dishes among people trying Nepali food for the first time in the UK.
At Palungo in Brockley, South East London, it is one of our most ordered dishes. So we thought it was time to explain what this set meal actually is, where it comes from, and why it has earned such a strong reputation across Nepal and now in London too. If you are new to the area, our guide to things to do in Brockley is worth a read alongside this one.
Where Does Thakali Thali Come From
This dish gets its name from the Thakali community, an ethnic group from the Thak Khola valley in Nepal's Mustang district. This is a remote, high-altitude region in the western Himalayas, and the food that comes from there had to be practical as well as tasty. Ingredients needed to last, meals needed to be filling, and nothing could go to waste.
Over generations, the Thakali people turned this necessity into one of Nepal's most respected styles of cooking. Thakali-run restaurants known as "bhattis" became famous along Nepal's old trade and trekking routes, and travellers would go out of their way to eat at one. That reputation followed the dish all the way to Kathmandu, then to Nepali communities abroad, including here in the UK.
What Actually Comes On The Plate
A proper Thakali Thali is not one dish. It is a full set, usually six to ten small components served together on one large plate or in small bowls around it.
You can expect to see:
- Steamed rice, often with a spoon of ghee melted on top
- Dal, a lentil soup poured over or served alongside the rice
- A choice of meat curry, such as chicken or mutton
- One or two vegetable curries
- Saag, which is sautéed greens, often mustard leaves or spinach
- Gundruk, a fermented leafy green with a slightly sour taste
- Achar, meaning pickle, usually more than one type
- Sometimes curd or a small sweet to finish
Nothing on the plate is random. Each item is there to balance out the others, so you get a mix of mild, spicy, sour and savoury in every bite.
Refills Are Part Of The Tradition
One thing that surprises a lot of first time diners is that refills are expected, not an upgrade you pay extra for. In Nepal, offering more rice, more dal or more curry is a sign of hospitality. At Palungo, we keep that same approach for anyone ordering one, because that generosity is really the whole point of the meal. You can see it listed alongside our other Nepali classics on the full menu.
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Thakali Thali, Dal Bhat and Thakali Khana Set: What Is The Difference
People often use these terms as if they mean the same thing, and in casual conversation they usually do overlap. But there are small differences worth knowing.
Dal Bhat
Dal bhat is the common Nepali dish that every household prepares on a daily basis. This consists of rice, dal, one vegetable curry and possibly one pickle. Very simple, homely, and prepared more than once a day in most regions of Nepal.
Thakali Khana Set
This is really just another name for the same meal, and you will see it written this way on some menus in London and around the UK. "Khana" simply means food in Nepali, so a Thakali Khana Set describes exactly the same set, just phrased differently.
Thakali Thali
The thakali thali is the fancy type of the same dish. In place of one curry and one pickle, you have several curries, several pickles, greens, and at times a variety of meat.
Veg Thakali Thali vs Mutton Thali
This set meal works well for vegetarians and meat eaters alike, which is part of why it has become so popular outside Nepal too.
Veg Thakali Thali
The vegetarian version leans on vegetable curries, saag, gundruk and a good mix of pickles. It is filling without feeling heavy, and it gives a proper taste of Nepali cooking without needing any meat to carry the flavour.
Mutton Thali
Mutton thali swaps in a slow-cooked mutton curry as the centrepiece, usually bone-in, cooked with Nepali spices like timur and jimbu. It has a deeper, richer flavour and tends to be the pick for anyone who wants something heartier. At Palungo, our mutton thali is one of the dishes regulars come back for specifically.
How To Eat This Set Meal
There is no strict rule here, but a few things help you get the most out of it.
Start by mixing a small amount of rice with the dal, then work in the curries and greens a little at a time rather than all at once. This way you get to taste each element on its own before the flavours start blending together. Pickles are there to be used in small amounts between bites, almost like a palate cleanser, rather than piled on in one go.
Eating with your hands is traditional in Nepal, though cutlery is completely fine too and most UK restaurants, including ours, will have it ready without you needing to ask.
Is It Vegan Friendly
The vegetable version can usually be made vegan with small adjustments, mainly around the ghee, which is used to top the rice, and any dairy based sides like curd. If you let the kitchen know in advance, most Nepali restaurants can adapt it. At Palungo, we are happy to swap out dairy elements on request.
Why Thakali Thali Has Become So Popular In The UK
Nepali food has grown a lot in the UK over the last decade, and Thakali Thali sits right at the centre of that growth. Part of the appeal is that it gives people a full introduction to Nepali cuisine in one sitting, rather than just one dish. You get spice, comfort, freshness and variety all on one plate.
For the Nepali community living across London, it is also a taste of home. And for everyone else, it tends to be the dish that turns a curious first visit into a regular habit.
Where To Try Thakali Thali In London
If you have typed "thakali restaurant near me" or "nepali thakali khana set near me" into Google, this section is for you.
Palungo is based on Malpas Road in Brockley, South East London, a short walk from Brockley station and close to New Cross and Deptford. We are one of the few places in the area doing a proper Thakali Thali rather than a cut-down version, and it is a dish we take seriously. Both the veg and mutton options are made fresh, using recipes passed down within the Nepali community rather than shortcuts.
So if you have searched "nepali thakali near me" and landed here, you are in the right part of London. Whether you already know Nepali food well or you are trying it for the first time, this is a good place to start.
If you want to try it for yourself, you can book a table for lunch or dinner, or order online for collection or delivery straight from the kitchen. Either way, the Thakali Thali is best eaten fresh and hot, straight off the plate.
Related Reading
- Top 10 Things to Do in Brockley, London, for making a full day of your visit
- Full Menu, to see the Thakali Thali alongside our momo, dal bhat and other Nepali dishes
- About Palungo, to read more on our story and where our recipes come from
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Thakali Thali and Dal Bhat?
Dal bhat is the simple, everyday version with rice, dal and one curry. Thakali Thali is the fuller version, with several curries, greens and pickles served together.
Is Thakali Thali spicy?
It can be, but the spice level usually comes from the curries and pickles rather than the whole plate. Most Nepali restaurants, including Palungo, can adjust spice on request.
What is a Thakali Khana Set?
It is another name for Thakali Thali. "Khana" means food in Nepali, so the two terms describe the same style of set meal.
Can I get Thakali Thali with mutton?
Yes, Mutton thali is a popular version that uses a slow-cooked mutton curry instead of, or alongside, the vegetable options.
Where can I find an authentic Thakali Thali near me in London?
Palungo, in Brockley, South East London, serves an authentic Thakali Thali with both vegetarian and mutton options, prepared using traditional Nepali methods.
Is there a good Thakali restaurant near me in South East London?
If you are based in or around Brockley, New Cross, Deptford or Lewisham, Palungo is a short walk from Brockley station and serves this set meal daily, both as a veg option and as a mutton thali.
Ready To Try It
The best way to understand a Thakali Thali is to sit down and eat one. Come see our Palungo Restaurant at 259 Malpas Road, Brockley, book your table, or order online if you would rather enjoy it at home.