Rara

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Exceptional Dining Experience at RARA – The Rice Special! I had a fantastic meal at RARA – The Rice Special! As an appetizer, the chicken momo was amazing — perfectly steamed, flavorful, and tender. The Chicken Nepali Jeera Pulao and rice were wonderfully aromatic and delicious. The sizzling plate with noodles was outstanding, full of rich flavors and great texture. The chicken curry was pure perfection — comforting, flavorful, and beautifully spiced. I finished with a soothing cup of chai tea and two delightful desserts: the warm, sweet Lalmohan and the creamy, traditional Juju Dhau. Every dish was crafted with care and full of authentic Nepali flavor. I can’t wait to return!

The place has an interesting old school vibe to it. We saw the great google reviews and decided to try the Nepali food for the first time. We got seated quickly but I would say the service seemed a bit slow. Took them ~20 minutes to get our order even though the place was practically empty. The food was brought out as it was prepared. I would say the momo was pretty good. The Bhat Khana set was also a good experience. However, we did not quite love the Buffalo Sukuti set (I would say it was a matter of personal preference as it did have a jerky like texture which was not for us).

The appetizers were ok except the papery rice that went with them but the main dishes were average at best. There was not much flavor and the meats were overpowered by spices. We all asked food to be “spicy” which was not at all. Even the “hot sauce” we asked for was not hot and had no taste. Service was slow and we had to ask for place settings, water, etc. I’m not sure where the 4.8 rating came from, we were definitely not impressed with the food or service

Total Score: 4.11 Bathroom: N/A Didn’t use the bathroom Customer Service: 1.5/5 The orders took a very very long time to come it seemed like they forgot our orders lmao. And also took asking twice to get the checks. But they refilled waters tho Ambiance: 3.5/5 Moody lighting with some nice decor Food: 2.5/5 Food was alright. In the gorkhali pulao there was so much rice was given and so much bone. Not much meat. The soup was okay but not much flavor/depth. The chicken 8848 was highkey p good though. Nice sauce and good chicken. Wow: -0.5/1 Took so long to get our food 😭 Total Score = (CS + 2*AM + 5*FOOD + WOW)/0.9

Rara is a hidden gem in Palo Alto for anyone seeking the authentic flavors of Nepal. As a Nepali who has had the privilege of tasting authentic Nepali cuisine in over 100 restaurants across Nepal and around the world, I can confidently say that Rara restaurant brings the true essence of Nepal to it’s table. From the perfectly spiced momo (dumplings) to the rich and fragrant dal bhat, to perfectly seasoned Mustang aaloo, the balance of spices, the freshness of the ingredients, and the attention to detail in preparation were evident in every bite. To top it all off, the creamy Nepali jujudhau-inspired yogurt served as dessert was truly the cherry on the cake, each spoon reminding of the authentic jujudhau from Bhaktapur. If you're craving a true Nepali experience, this is the place to be. The restaurant's ambience also adds to the overall experience with a soft background music featuring Nepali tunes further enhancing the warm atmosphere. Whether you're familiar with Nepali food or trying it for the first time, Rara will not disappoint. Highly recommend!