"Walk from Plumstead to Woolwich to read the signs of the significant Nepali community that has built up here, in this pocket of London where the Thames grows wide. The Pashupatinath temple just off Winn’s common is the first of its kind in Europe and from here to Royal Arsenal (once a munitions factory and now an arch, a couple of pub chains, luxury riverside homes, and a farmers market) the Gurkhas who were granted housing in the area make their presence known not with kukris but with momos and soup noodles. Kailash Momo near the station is one of the busiest in the area, and the extensive menu has something for everyone, soaking up Tibetan, Nepali, Indian, and Chinese influences. The namesake momos are actually not the strongest point; better to get set lunches of “crazy” fried meats to be eaten with dried chiura (flattened rice), as well as generous thalis with adroitly spiced lamb, chickpea and lentil curries and pickled potatoes (aloo ko achar). Those in the mood for thukpa should head back down the road to Plumstead’s D Namaste, but the thenthuk is excellent, with ribbons of thick cut noodles similar to Chinese dao xiao mian all in a complex, acidic broth." - Jonathan Nunn
