Yak & Yeti Gurkha’s brings Nepalese and Indian cooking together with a menu that’s happy to move between street snacks, tandoor-style grilling, comforting curries and a few distinctly Himalayan staples.

Overview

Yak & Yeti Gurkha’s is presented as an authentic Nepalese and Indian restaurant in Braintree, with a menu drawing on dishes associated with Nepal, India and Tibet. The overall structure will feel familiar if you enjoy Indian restaurant menus, starters up front, then grilled and curry sections, biryanis, rice and breads, but there are also clear signals that this is not trying to be “just another curry house”.

Those differences show up in the street-food style starters (like kathi rolls), Himalayan dumplings (momo), noodle dishes labelled as Nepalese chow-chow, and curries that reference ingredients and flavours you do not always see on a standard British Indian menu, such as shatkora (a tangy citrus fruit) or naga chilli for those who like serious heat. If you like being able to order a classic butter chicken one visit and something more Nepalese-leaning the next, it’s a handy place to have on your list.

What You Can Expect

The menu reads as a mix of familiar and exploratory. You can start with the deep-fried favourites you expect, such as onion bhajis, samosas, spring rolls and pakoras, but there is also plenty that leans more Himalayan or street-food inspired.

Starters and small plates include options such as:

Momos (Nepalese-style dumplings), including steamed lamb and steamed veggie versions, served with a tomato chutney that includes sesame and spices

Samosa chaat, built around samosas with yoghurt and chutneys, and finished with pomegranate

Kathi rolls, described as warm roti wraps filled with chicken or paneer, with salad and caramelised onions

Gunpowder potatoes, smoky grilled new potatoes tossed with butter, aromatic seeds and herbs

Prawn koliwada, a crunchy spiced prawn starter

Chicken lollies, battered wings tossed with ginger, garlic, chilli and spices

From there, you can head into grilled cooking and clay-oven style dishes. On the menu you will see items like lamb chops and mixed grill combinations, plus tikka and shaslik formats where meat is marinated then grilled with onions, tomatoes and peppers. If you prefer your meal to be centred on grilled pieces rather than sauce, this part of the menu gives you plenty to work with.

Curries are grouped into sections that cover both the classics and house specialities. Alongside well-known dishes such as butter chicken, tikka masala and jalfrezi, there are also named dishes that point to specific flavour profiles, for example:

Chicken shatkora, described with a tangy citrus-fruit sauce

Naga garlic options that use naga chilli for extra kick

Passanda and korma-style dishes that lean creamy and mild, sometimes with coconut and cream

Rice-based mains appear in the form of biryanis, including chicken, lamb, prawn, king prawn, chicken tikka and lamb tikka versions, as well as a mixed vegetable biryani. There is also a “Bombay biryani” described as more strongly spiced with added chilli heat, which is useful if you like a biryani that doesn’t sit in the background.

Seafood is given its own space too, with dishes that include tilapia, salmon and king prawns, cooked in different sauce styles, including a fish curry with curry leaves, and a salmon dish paired with baby potatoes and fenugreek leaves.

What to Order

Because the menu is wide, it helps to build your order around a theme. Here are a few ways to do it that match what Yak & Yeti offers.

1) The Himalayan starter build (great for sharing)

Start with momos (lamb or veggie) to get that Nepalese dumpling element on the table

Add samosa chaat for something tangy and layered, with chutneys and yoghurt

Round out the starter spread with gunpowder potatoes for a smoky, herby side plate

This is a good “try a bit of everything” approach without jumping straight into heavy mains.

2) The grilled-and-balanced build

Choose a grilled dish such as lamb chops or a tandoori mixed grill style option

Pair it with something lighter on the side, then use a sauce-based dish elsewhere on the table if you want contrast

Finish with rice and/or bread depending on how you like to eat grilled meats

It’s a practical route if you want your meal to lean more towards char-grilled flavours than rich sauces.

3) The comfort curry build

Go for a creamy classic like butter chicken if you want something mild and familiar

Or choose tikka masala style dishes if you prefer that tomato-and-cream profile

Add a vegetable side and rice to complete the plate

This is the easiest option for anyone who wants a dependable curry night without experimenting too much.

4) The heat-seekers build

Start with a spiced starter such as chicken lollies or a naga-leaning dish if you like chilli

Move onto a curry described as naga garlic for a proper kick

If you want to push it further, there are extremely hot options listed for those who like their curry genuinely fiery

This build suits people who order by spice level and want to keep the heat consistent from start to finish.

Dietary Options

Vegetarian choices are clearly present across the menu. You can see this in items such as steamed veggie momos, vegetable spring rolls, veggie samosas, and a mixed vegetable biryani, along with other dishes that are specifically marked as vegetarian.

Vegan options are also referenced as part of the overall offering, with the venue describing a range that includes vegan dishes alongside vegetarian and grilled options. Specific vegan labelling varies by item, so if you are ordering vegan it is sensible to select dishes that are clearly vegetable-based and to check details for anything involving yoghurt, paneer or butter-forward sauces.

Allergen detail is partly indicated through dish notes, for example some starters call out gluten, dairy or sesame. A full allergen list is not stated in the sources provided, so anyone with allergies should check individual dish information carefully before ordering.

Location and Area Guide

Yak & Yeti Gurkha’s is in Braintree, Essex. It’s a useful choice locally when you want Nepalese and Indian food in one place, especially if you like mixing street-food style starters and dumplings with more familiar curry-house mains.

Who It’s Best For

People who enjoy Indian restaurant favourites but want a few Nepalese and Himalayan dishes in the mix

Groups who like sharing starters, especially dumplings, chaat-style plates and spiced small dishes

Diners who order by spice level, with options that range from mild and creamy to naga-chilli heat

Anyone who prefers grilled mains as well as curries, thanks to the dedicated grilled and clay-oven style sections

Final Thoughts

Yak & Yeti Gurkha’s offers a menu that goes beyond the standard curry-house template without making things complicated. You can keep it classic with butter chicken, tikka masala and biryani, or explore more Nepalese-leaning choices such as momos, chow-chow noodles, and dishes built around shatkora or naga chilli. With plenty of starters, a strong grilled section and clear vegetarian options, it’s well set up for both familiar orders and more exploratory ones.

Food Types: Restaurant

Dining Type: Dine In

Area: Not stated, Braintree