Kathmandu, Dec. 12 -- Every year as Yomari Punhi approaches, Niru Maharjan runs on a tight schedule, preparing batches after batches of yomari. A native of Bungamati, Maharjan is one of the many deft hands at the Village Cafe in Jhamsikhel working days prior the Newar festival to make hundreds of the steamed cone-shaped dumplings.

"It's the same every year. We get so many orders before Yomari Punhi; it's crazy," says Maharjan. "We never thought yomaris would be so popular when we started."

Yomaris are a Newar delicacy traditionally made with rice flour with a sweet filling. Earlier, Newar families use to make yomaris only on special occasions or on Yomari Punhi. But in recent years, the dish has become popular among the masses and made ...