A recent post on the Cambridge Foodies Facebook group caught my attention the other day: The Corner House pub on Newmarket Road is now serving Nepalese cuisine 🇳🇵

Nepalese restaurants have been flourishing across Cambridgeshire as of late, with spots in Sawtry, Waterbeach, Girton, and Whittlesey. My first thought was that Nepalese cuisine was experiencing a foodie renaissance but it appears one company is responsible for this widespread growth.

I was truly impressed by my visit to the Girton branch last year. Their menu was full of beautifully presented and diverse dishes, that felt uniquely familiar (while closely resembling the classic Indian/Bangladeshi curry), while still being different enough to be exciting.

I can see why it is taking off.

Is Newmarket Road Cambridge’s Brick Lane?

More interestingly, this is the sixth Asian restaurant on Newmarket Road that serves Indian, Bangladeshi, or some form of curry-esque cuisine.

• Navadanya (Indian fine dining) 🇮🇳

• Coconut (Sri Lankan) 🇱🇰

• The Seven Stars (Indian gastro pub) 🇮🇳

• Pipasha (Bangladeshi) 🇧🇩

• The Wrestlers (Thai) 🇹🇭

• The Corner House (Nepalese) 🇳🇵

Is this the new Brick Lane of Cambridge? 

Probably not, but it is now the best place to go in the city for that sort of cuisine.

As with the other Nepalese restaurants in Cambridgeshire, this establishment is located within a pub. The Corner House is divided into two separate areas with one serving as a lively spot for casual drinks and sports and the other reserved for dining.

The interior decoration is simple but is certainly not off-putting. Friendly staff and an abundant natural light streaming through the windows contributed to a pleasant overall atmosphere.

Himali Lamb

Being a huge lamb lover, the Himali Lamb was an immediate choice. It is described as a “Groen curry” on the menu, which presumably means “green”. The dish didn’t appear green in colour but I suspect this could be referring to the use of mint in the dish. 

I understand that mint and lamb go well together but I wasn’t sure whether it would work in a curry.  Surprisingly, the taste had a strong minty flavour that punched through…and it truly worked. The curry itself is super creamy, probably from the yogurt, which gives it this thick, velvety texture. This was finished with Himalayan salt, green chilli, and Nepalese spice for that extra depth of flavour that added a mild kick at the same time. The lamb itself was absolutely beautiful. The meat was served in big, generously portioned chunks that were incredibly tender.

Khasi Ko Masi

I noticed curried goat on the menu, something I don’t see very often in Cambridge. I felt compelled to give it a try for that reason alone.

You have the option of having it served on or off the bone, with the goat swimming in a smokey tomato based sauce. The dish was pleasant, mild and inoffensive.

Pokhareli Fish Curry

Without a doubt, the fish curry was the highlight for both me and my guest. This one featured a coconut base, similar to what you’d find in a Thai curry, but with the added kick of mustard for a bolder flavour that was just fantastic. I couldn’t pinpoint the exact white fish used but the chunks were wonderfully thick and meaty. The delicate flavour of the fish meant that the rich sauce could take centre stage, and honestly, it was so easy to eat.

Unlike many Indian and Bangladeshi restaurants that often rely on a single base gravy for all their curries, The Corner House truly distinguishes itself with a variety of different curry bases, from coconut milk to tomato based dishes. This provides a significantly more diverse and authentic menu than typically found elsewhere that will be able to please a wider variety of people.

Another jewel in the crown of Newmarket Road

It is now abundantly clear why these Nepalese restaurants are making such a significant mark across Cambridgeshire. This is our third review of one of their restaurants on the Cambridge Foodies blog and each has delivered a great meal.
The most captivating aspect of our visit was undoubtedly the menu, with a wide selection of intriguing options. From adventurous choices like goat and authentic momos, to racks of lamb and huge mixed grill platters, and authentic Nepalese desserts like Kheer.
While we certainly had our standout favourites among the three dishes we sampled, every one was a worthy choice. Even situated on a street seemingly saturated with curry houses, The Corner House manages to stands out with its unique culinary experience.

Thanks for reading!