Sekuwa Bank

A Hidden Gem in Mandikhatar, Nepal

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Located just between the Global Academy of Tourism and Hospitality Education (GATE College) and Hams Hospital, Sekuwa Bank is a cozy place tucked back away from the cacophony of the road. It features a variety of dishes, including breakfast and dinner, primarily of the traditional Nepali style. The name “Sekuwa” refers to its specialty: meat cooked over a Himalayan stone grill heated by a fire beneath. Meat dishes include pork, chicken, and mutton, all seasoned with unique flavors hailing from eastern Nepal.

Although every table sits covered from the rain, the restaurant offers fully indoor seating as well as comfortable booths outside. With music piped over a sophisticated sound system, the place gives off the strong vibes of a resort.

Owner Santosh Lama Gurung opened Sekuwa Bank back in April of 2023, his second restaurant in the Kathmandu area. Having stayed in the Mandikhatar area many times over the years, I can attest to its extraordinary growth. Once a farm town, the area now bristles with new shops, restaurants, and coffee bars. Two BigMarts even dot the neighborhood. For the uninitiated, BigMart is a chain store similar to the 7-11s in America. The coffee culture in Kathmandu, in particular, has reached new heights with many trendy places striving to set themselves apart from their competitors.

The choice to open in Mandikhatar, however, was a wise one in my humble opinion. In the old days, one used to have walk some distance to find a good meal in this area. Typically, that meant hiking down to the ring road, about a half-kilometer away, often dodging racing motorbikes blazing past on the narrow streets. Today, the choices abound. Nonetheless, before the arrival of Sekuwa Bank, stone-fired meat like the kind offered here required traveling deep into the city. And you could expect to pay ‘gourmet’ prices. At Sekuwa Bank, you can find a filling, and delicious, meal for extraordinarily reasonable prices. If the budget is especially tight, the restaurant also offers many snacks that some might call meals in and of themselves.

Cooks at Sekuwa Bank employ a style long-used by traditional Nepali chefs from eastern Nepal. The grill is constructed of Himalayan stones, which are heated by a wood fire beneath. Cooking with stone is said to be a healthier way to prepare meat. The food itself is all organic, including the spices and oils, with no chemicals or pesticides used in their cultivation. Regarding the spices, Sekuwa Bank draws from old family and local recipes to create a unique, superior flavor.

Sekuwa Bank offers ample parking for bikes, but if you’re traveling by car finding a parking spot might be more challenging. The roads in Mandikhatar are narrow and usually aligned with walls. Whatever way you arrive, the staff greets you immediately and warmly. They are quick to bring your menu and retrieve drinks. Thus, if you are looking for a place to chill with spectacular ambience and fantastic food, at great prices, I highly recommend you pay a visit.

Sekuwa Bank’s all-star crew, from left to right: Ananda Tamang, Santosh Lama Gurung, Sandip Gurung, Rob Vanwey (your author), and Maniraj Rai. Like or Follow Sekuwa Bank’s Facebook Page, or call to order or ask for directions. 981-6945766.

Sekuwa Bank is offering a deal: mention you saw this article and receive free peanuts, salad or chatpate.

All photos & videos by author or courtesy of Sekuwa Bank.

Visit The Evidence Files YouTube page for the Nepali Language version.

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I am a Certified Forensic Computer Examiner, Certified Crime Analyst, Certified Fraud Examiner, and Certified Financial Crimes Investigator with a Juris Doctor and a master’s degree in history. I spent 10 years working in the New York State Division of Criminal Justice as Senior Analyst and Investigator. Today, I teach Cybersecurity, Ethical Hacking, Digital Forensics, and Financial Crime Prevention and Investigation. I was a firefighter before I joined law enforcement and now I currently run a non-profit that uses mobile applications and other technologies to create Early Alert Systems for natural disasters for people living in remote or poor areas.

Find more about me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Mastodon. Or visit my non-profit’s page here.

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For stories about other excellent places in Nepal, see below.