Yak and Yeti Himalayan Cuisine plans to bring a blend of Himalayan and Indian flavors to Owensboro with a new restaurant expected to open in late June.
Owner Sagar Tamang, who helps operate the growing regional chain, said the restaurant will be located at 611 Emory Drive in a standalone building that formerly housed Ernesto’s Mexican Bar and Grill.
Tamang said Yak and Yeti specializes in food rooted in Nepalese Himalayan traditions while also offering a range of Indian dishes, particularly those influenced by northern India.
“Our food is Himalayan food, originally from Nepal,” Tamang said. “We also serve Indian food, so it’s a combination of Himalayan and Indian cuisine.”
The Owensboro location will mark the company’s third restaurant. The first opened in Evansville, Indiana, in November 2019, followed by a second location in Fishers, Indiana, in 2023.
Tamang said demand from customers in the Owensboro area played a key role in the decision to expand.
“A lot of customers have been asking for Owensboro,” he said. “We’ve been looking for a place for a while, and this time it felt like there was a lot of potential for us.”
The menu will feature a variety of traditional dishes made with chicken, lamb, goat, seafood, and vegetarian options, many prepared in house-made sauces and gravies.
“It’s very flavorful,” Tamang said. “We make our own sauce in-house every day, and everything is cooked in different styles of gravy depending on the dish.”
While Himalayan and northern Indian cuisines share similarities, Tamang said distinct spices and cooking techniques help set the dishes apart.
Signature menu items will include momo dumplings — offered with fillings such as yak, chicken, and vegetables — as well as chow mein prepared in a Himalayan style.
“Momo and chow mein are our most popular items,” Tamang said.
In addition to food, the restaurant plans to offer a selection of beer and cocktails, including Himalayan and Indian beer options, pending final licensing approval.
Tamang said the team is currently finishing preparations and awaiting supplies ahead of the anticipated opening.
“We have a few things to be done, nothing major,” he said. “We’re just waiting on supplies, and we should be able to open in late June.”
The restaurant also plans to begin hiring staff as the opening date approaches.
Tamang said he hopes the new location will introduce more people in Owensboro to Himalayan cuisine while giving existing customers a closer option.
“We’re excited to bring something different to the community,” he said.
