Tanuj Neupane shares culture and stories with every meal he serves

MassLive recently asked readers to identify people who are leaders from the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community throughout the state, working to make a difference in politics, education, business, the arts or another area of interest.

Profiles of these leaders will be published through AAPI Heritage Month in May. These are people our readers have identified as inspirational, who may be doing good acts for their communities. They are being recognized for their accomplishments, leadership and commitment to inspire change.

Tanuj Neupane

Age: 36

Community: Worcester

His story: Tanuj Neupane is small business owner who strives to create job opportunities within his community while supporting other local business owners.

Through his ownership of Worcester’s Momo Palace LLC, Neupane supports other independent businesses through the use of locally sourced ingredients while “ensuring the highest quality.”

“As a small business owner, I take pride in not just running a restaurant but also in creating job opportunities within our community,” said Neupane.

He is passionate about supporting other entrepreneurs as he believes “offering advice and insights to those starting out is important to fostering a thriving local economy.”

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At Momo Palace LLC, Neupane aims to not only provide a culinary experience but bring people together and foster a sense of unity and belonging.

Neupane, originally from Bhutan, was a refugee living in Nepal for 18 years, “but never gave up hope.” He said when an opportunity arrived to come to Worcester, he saw a chance to make his dreams come true.

Neupane resolved to take his passion for cooking dishes from Bhutan and Nepal and open Momo Palace LLC.

To him, Momo Palace LLC is “not just a place to eat,” but is his way of sharing his culture with others, and representing a symbol of his journey from refugee to business owner.

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“Every meal we serve tells a story of resilience and community,” said Neupane. “I’m grateful for the support I’ve received from this city and its people…

“They’ve helped me turn tough times into something positive.”

In his words: “My advice is to never give up, no matter how hard things get. Find what you love and believe in yourself. Be open to learning from others and don’t be afraid to ask for help. And most importantly, always remember why you started in the first place.”

We’re always open to hearing about more inspiring people. If you’d like to suggest someone else who should be recognized, please fill out this form.