When it Opened
August 2022
Who’s Behind it
Chef-owner Gyanendra Sharma and his wife, Tara Poudel.
Why We Love it Already
Tucked in a small commercial plaza overlooking the Foothills on the western edge of Cochrane, Aama Nepalese Cuisine offers an elevated dining experience that is worth the trek. Aama, which means “mother” in Nepalese, a nod to chef Gyanendra Sharma’s beloved late mother, had quietly opened its doors in the summer of 2022. But it wasn’t until the following year that word spread about Sharma’s thoughtfully curated menu, that takes diners on a culinary journey of traditional dishes from across Nepal. Not to be missed is the house specialty, yak, sourced from a farm near Rimbey, Alta. A fan favourite at Aama, the yak is prepared in a variety of ways: chargrilled (sekuwa), as a filling for momos (traditional Tibetan dumplings), and in a comforting Sherpa stew (shyakpa), as well as more contemporary presentations like “smoked” yak tenderloin and braised yak short ribs.
Unit 2106, 100 Horse Creek Rd., Cochrane, 403-376-6165, aamanepalesecuisine.ca, @aamanepalesecuisine