My Story
From a Village Dream to a Canadian Kitchen
I am not ashamed to share my life story; in fact, I feel proud and love to inspire others.
My name is Maya. I was born in a small village in Bhutan and grew up in Nepal, both countries nestled in the shadow of the Himalayas. I am the second of five siblings. When I was 12, my father passed away, and we were raised by our single mother. Life wasn’t easy, and from a young age, I learned the value of hard work. My family, like many others, struggled to make ends meet, but we never lost hope. As a child, I dreamed of becoming a successful businessperson in the food industry and kept that desire alive. I was inspired by my father and learned many different street and local recipes in Nepal from an early age.
In the early 1990s, a civil war broke out in Bhutan, causing many to lose their lives, families, and property, forcing them to flee the country. I was just a little girl when we came to Nepal. We lived in a refugee camp in eastern Nepal for over a decade, facing daily challenges for food, shelter, and clothing. With the help of some organizations, we were able to meet our daily needs. One day, we were given the opportunity for third-country settlement and arrived in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada in 2009.
I took ESL classes and worked hard at Samosa Dilite Kitchen in a full-time position and at Howard Johnson Hotel in a part-time role. In 2012, I married the love of my life, who shares the same background. We have two beautiful children, a boy and a girl. Our son is autistic, and life has been more challenging with a child who has special needs. In 2015, we moved to Calgary, Alberta, where we lived for seven years. In Calgary, we faced additional struggles due to the high cost of living in a big city and the long, extreme winters. My in-laws worked full-time, and my husband worked for several different companies. During COVID, my husband started driving long-haul trucking across Canada and the USA, while I stayed home to take care of the children. During my free time, I ran a small food catering business from home.
A Dream Come True.
In early 2023, I had the opportunity to take over a new restaurant business in Windsor, Ontario. I moved to Windsor first, and after five months, my family joined me. I may be wrong, but so far, I believe I am the only female chef in the Bhutanese and Nepalese community in Canada. My husband is my greatest source of courage and the backbone of our business. Now, my passion has become my profession. “Nepali Palace Restaurant” is now operated as a locally owned family business.
Welcome to Nepali Palace Restaurant — Where Every Bite Tells a Story of Home.
At Nepali Palace, we’re not just passionate about food — we’re devoted to bringing the soul of Nepal to your table. Every dish we serve is prepared with the kind of authenticity, love, and care you’d expect from a meal cooked by your own mother. From hand-ground spices to traditional cooking methods passed down through generations, we pour our heart into every plate — because for us, food is family.
The moment you walk through our doors, you’re wrapped in a wave of warm, mouthwatering aromas that instantly transport you to the lively streets of Kathmandu — the scent of simmering curries, sizzling spices, and freshly steamed momo fills the air like a celebration. And oh, our momo — plump, juicy, and bursting with flavor — are nothing short of legendary. Whether you dip them in our fiery house-made achar or savor them on their own, they’re the kind of dish that steals your heart from the first bite.
Our menu is a rich tapestry of traditional Nepali flavors — from bold, aromatic curries and fluffy, fragrant biryanis to comforting noodles and soul-satisfying vegetarian dishes. Whether you’re a longtime lover of Nepali cuisine or tasting it for the very first time, this is more than a meal — it’s a journey, a memory, a moment of comfort. Come to Nepali Palace hungry, and leave full — not just in body, but in heart. Because here, every dish feels like home.
