There's a particular kind of cold in Cochrane. The wind comes down off the foothills, the sky goes flat and grey, and by mid-afternoon all you can think about is something hot in a bowl.

On days like that, a sandwich won't cut it. You want soup. Dumplings. Something that steams when it hits the table.

If you're scrolling through Cochrane food places trying to figure out where to get that, here's our honest pick: a bowl of thukpa and a plate of momos at Aama Nepalese Cuisine. Below, we'll explain what both dishes are, which versions to order, and what to know before you go.

Why Himalayan Comfort Food Makes Sense in Cochrane

Nepal and the foothills west of Calgary aren't as far apart as the map says. Big peaks on the horizon in both places. Both get long, cold stretches where warm food really matters.

Chef G and Tara Poudel, who run Aama, have said part of why they chose Cochrane was that the mountains looked like home. Stand outside here on a January afternoon, and you get it.

In Nepal, cold-weather food means broth, noodles, dumplings, and meat that's been cooking for hours. You get full on it. You don't get that cream-sauce heaviness, though. You leave warm, not sluggish.

Thukpa: The Soup to Order When It's Freezing Out

Thukpa is noodle soup, Himalayan style. Picture a big bowl, still steaming, with soft noodles, vegetables and chicken or tofu sitting in the broth. Up in the mountains, that's what people want at the end of a freezing day.

At Aama, it comes two ways:

  • Chicken thukpa ($16): loaded up with noodles, shredded veg, mushrooms and a bit of broccoli.
  • Veg-tofu thukpa ($14): the same build with tofu instead of chicken.

Both are on the lunch and dinner menus. If you want something even heartier, look at the Shyakpa ($21), a Sherpa-style yak stew with Yukon gold potato, carrot and celery. At dinner it comes with flatbread for dipping.

Our tip? Get the thukpa in first. Sip it while you work out what else you want.

Momos: Pick a Filling, Pick a Style

Momos are hand-folded Nepali dumplings, and they're probably the dish Aama is best known for. On a cold day, they're hard to beat.

You pick a filling and a style.

Fillings: yak, chicken, pork, goat or veg. Prices run from $14.90 for veg to $17.90 for yak.

Styles:

  • Steamed. The classic. Soft, juicy, and served hot.
  • Jhol. Served in Aama's traditional momo sauce. If it's properly freezing outside, this is the one to get, because it's halfway between dumplings and soup.
  • Tandoori. Fried, then smoked in a tandoori masala crust.
  • Chilli. Fried, then thrown in the wok with veggies and Aama's own chilli sauce. Go for this one if you like some heat.

Never tried yak? Momos are an easy way in. The filling is wrapped up and seasoned, so it doesn't feel like a big leap.

What to Know Before Visiting Aama, One of the Warmer Cochrane Food Places

We pulled these from Aama's website when we wrote this.

  • Where: 100 Horse Creek Rd, Unit #2106, Cochrane, AB T4C 2N8 (west end of town).
  • When: Noon till 9 pm, Wednesday through Monday. Tuesdays, they're closed.
  • Booking: You can reserve a table online, which is worth doing on Friday and Saturday nights.
  • Ordering ahead: There's an online cart on Aama's site for the days you can't face the cold.
  • Allergies: Some dishes carry a GF or LF tag. Allergic to gluten, dairy, seafood, nuts or sesame? Mention it when you order.

Bringing someone along? Look for the Nepali Thali at dinner. It's a platter for two, dine-in only: buttered basmati rice, lentils, a seasonal veg curry, house pickle, yoghurt. You choose chicken, goat, yak or vegetarian.

Local beer's on tap too. Whoever's driving home in the snow can have the alcohol-free IPA.

A Few Things People Ask

What is thukpa?

It's a Himalayan noodle soup made with broth, noodles, vegetables and a protein. At Aama you can get it with chicken or veg-tofu.

What's the difference between steamed and jhol momos?

Steamed momos come plain with chutney on the side. Jhol momos sit in Aama's traditional momo sauce, so they're a bit soupier.

Are momos spicy?

Steamed, jhol and tandoori momos aren't especially spicy. Chilli momos have more kick. If you're not sure, ask your server.

Is there vegetarian comfort food at Aama?

Yes. Veg-tofu thukpa, veg momos in any style, and a vegetarian thali at dinner all work well on a cold day.

Can I get thukpa and momos at lunch?

Yes. Both are on the lunch and dinner menus.

Which Cochrane food places are good for a cold day?

Anywhere with a proper hot soup or stew. If you want something different from the usual, Aama's thukpa, jhol momos and Shyakpa are good picks.

Is Aama open every day?

No, Tuesday is its day off. Every other day it's noon to 9 pm.

Before You Brave the Cold

Cochrane winters are long, and you'll want a go-to spot for the worst of them. Among Cochrane food places, Aama is a good one to keep in mind: a hot bowl of thukpa, a plate of jhol momos, maybe the yak stew if you're really hungry.

Take a look at the Aama Nepalese Cuisine menu, book a table, and come in from the cold.