Food in Nepal: Top Traditional Dishes & Local Cuisine You Must Try

What Traditional Nepali Cuisine You Must try?

Dal Bhat

Dal Bhat is the most common and well-liked dish in the country of Nepal. The dish consists of steamed rice (bhat), typically served with lentil soup (dal), vegetables, pickles, and sometimes meat. Dal Bhat can be served as a vegetarian dish or a non-vegetarian dish depending on whether meat, or fish is added. Dal Bhat is a power-packed meal, giving you energy for 24 hours. This is one of the main reasons it is an important meal in everyday life as well as a necessity for trekkers in the Himalayas. On the famous trekking routes such as Everest Base Camp or Annapurna Base Camp, teahouses serve Dal Bhat in unlimited refills to help trekkers keep their strength and energy. It provides a perfect balance of carbohydrates, protein, and vitamins.

Dhido

Dhido is a traditional Nepali food made by slowly cooking buckwheat, millet, or maize flour in boiling water until it becomes a thick sticky porridge, generally served with gundruk, vegetables, or curry. Dhido is heavy and sustaining, making it a dietary staple for people who spent their livelihood in the hilly and mountainous regions of Nepal for generations. The eat is traditionally eaten with the hand, rolled into small balls and dipped in soups or sauces.

Chiura

Chiura is a traditional Nepali food made from flattened rice grains, also referred to as beaten rice, and is typically eaten raw or only lightly roasted. It is a common dish in Newari food and is a staple of Newar meal, particularly Samay Baji, which consists of beaten rice, boiled eggs, fried meat, fermented vegetables, and other sides. Chiura has a very light, crunchy texture and is typically eaten with yogurt, curry, or gundruk. Chiura is easily digestible, provides fast energy, and has and is involved in traditional festivals and religious findings.

Gundruk

Gundruk is fermented leafy greens, most frequently made from mustard leaves, radish leaves, or cauliflower leaves. The leaves, after drying and fermentation, are cooked as a side dish, in soups, or in curries. Gundruk is high in vitamins, minerals, and iron, making it a very nutritious food. Gundruk gives food a sour, tangy flavor, and has long been a way of preserving vegetables in the winter. Gundruk is still a vital part of the diet in Nepal, especially in rural areas. When trekking in Nepal you might not see the gundruk in the menu but you can always ask for one if you want to taste as it is commonly found in every nepali household.

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Snacks and Street Food in Nepal

Aaloo Chop

Aloo chop is a popular snack in Nepal and made out of spiced mashed potatoes, which are shaped into small patties, coated in a thin layer of flour or batter and then deep-fried until golden. The outside is crispy, while the inside is soft. Aloo chop is typically eaten with chutney or sauces. Aloo chop is a very popular street food, eaten on the go as a quick snack or during tea time.

Panipuri and Chatpatey

Panipuri and Chatpate are two of the most popular street foods in Nepal. Panipuri is hollow, puffed dough, fried and very crispy on the outside, filled with spicy mashed potatoes, chickpeas, and flavored water. Chatpate is a mix of puffed rice, boiled potatoes, spiced and flavored with tomatoes and herbs. Both chatpatey and panipuri have a spicy, tangy flavor that is appreciated by all. They are famous snacks that are very popular and are found at markets and roadside sellers in Nepal.

Chatamari

Chatamari, which is known as the "Newari pizza," is a crepe made of rice flour and topped with minced meat, eggs, vegetables, or lentils. It is a traditional dish from the Newar community of the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal and is eaten throughout the year during festivals and special occasions. Chatamari has a soft texture on top but slightly crispy edges, which is a mixture of pancake and pizza. People eat it as a snack, breakfast, or appetizer.

Samosas and Pakoras

Samosas are triangular pockets of deep-fried pastry filled with spiced potatoes, peas or meat. They are crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside which makes them one of our favorite snacks throughout Nepal. Pakoras are small fritters, typically made from vegetables, paneer or meat, which are coated in seasoned gram flour batter and deep-fried. Samosas or pakoras are popularly sold as street food, eaten at tea times or other festivals, and make a warm, spicy and filling snack.

Popular Sweet and Snacks in Nepal

Yomari

Yomari is a sweet dumpling made of rice flour dough, filled with molasses and sesame seeds or either with Khuwa which is a dairy product made by thickening milk. It is a specialty dish of the Newar community, made mostly during the Yomari Punhi festival. Yomari is considered to be part of authentic Nepali cuisine due to its traditional preparation and unique taste.

Lakhamari

Lakhamari is typically deep-fried traditional sweets shaped into various designs made up of flour and sugar. They are often made during festivals, or special occasions, particularly in Newar culture. Lakhamari is among the famous foods in Kathmandu as it is loved by both locals and tourists.

Juju Dahi

Juju Dhau, meaning "king of yogurt," is a famous Newari yogurt in Bhaktapur, just outside of Kathmandu. It's made with buffalo milk and fermented in clay pots giving it a creamy texture and unique flavor. Juju Dhau is one of the best places to eat in Nepal, many shops as well as street vendors sell it all over Bhaktapur and Kathmandu.

Sel Roti

Sel Roti is a traditional Nepali sweet, rice bread in the shape of a ring. It is made from rice flour, sugar, milk, and if you like sometimes a bit of cardamom; and is fried until golden and crisp on the outside, with a soft interior. Sel Roti is usually made for festivals like Dashain and Tihar, and is often served with tea or curry. It has a slightly sweet taste, and a crunchy texture that has become popular with visitors and locals alike.

Gudpak

Gudpak is a traditional Nepali sweet that is made using jaggery (unrefined sugar), milk, and ghee and is cooked slowly until it becomes a rich, thick fudge. Gudpak is often flavored with nuts and cardamom to add sweetness and fragrance. Gudpak is very popular in Newar communities and is usually made during festivals or special events. It can be eaten as a dessert or snack and is part of original Nepali cuisine.

Soups and Stews

Thukpa

Thukpa is a popular noodle soup with origins from Tibetan cuisine. With the addition of fresh noodles, vegetables, and possibly meat, Thukpa is cooked in soup broth. Thukpa is enjoyed hot in hilly and mountainous areas to keep warm in cold weather. Thukpa is often preferred for local people and trekkers since it is hot, hearty, and keeps you full.

Kwati

Kwati is a nutritious mixed bean soup eaten during the festival of Janai Purnima. It is boiled from nine different types of sprouted beans and garlic, ginger and spices. Kwati is very high in protein and fiber. Kwati is an indigenous soup thought to help provide stamina and immunity.

Rildok

Rildok is a traditional Nepali stew with Tibetan influences. It features dumplings made from flour of both barley and buckwheat that are boiled in spicy broth with vegetables and occasionally meat. It is a hearty and warming stew well-suited for colder climes and high altitude regions.

Thenthuk

Thenthuk is hand-pulled noodle soup like Thukpa, but with thicker and bigger noodles. It is made with either meat or vegetables, in a delicious savory broth, and is more popular in the Himalayan Nepal regions. Thenthuk is filling and healthy, and is commonly enjoyed as a main meal to remain energized.

Food Across Different Regions in Nepal

Nepal's food is diverse depending on where you are in the country, due to differences in geography, climate, and culture. In the small hilly and mountainous regions, for example, we eat more hearty foods like Dal Bhat, Dhido, Gundruk, and Kinema. This is simply to say that when they need to fuel up, locals and trekkers perform the daily ritual of consuming Dal Bhat, most always with lentils, some vegetables, pickles, and sometimes meat. It's filling and gives us lasting energy. It should be noted that we also consume Dhido made from buckwheat, millet, or maize flour along with soups or curries. Gundruk is another popular food item made from fermented green leafy vegetables (especially cauliflower leaves). Gundruk comes with added nutrition, and some definite and sharp flavours to consider and use with our foods.

Also along trekking routes, besides dense characteristics of Dal Bhat or Dhido, we consume many soup meals like Thukpa, Thenthuk, and Rildok where we consume some warmer foods in the soup category.

In the hot and humid Terai Plains, there are many different factors that we may shift to consuming spicier foods and Indian influenced foods. In an average meal we eat rice and lentils alone with various vegetable or meat curries with fried foods in the form of Samosas and Pakoras or various types of street food with Panipuri and Chatpate. There are also dessert foods we make or buy in the form of Sel Roti and Gudpak when we consume them mainly during visits and festivals.

In the Kathmandu valley area, Newar foods have shaped and added to the flavour of the foods we eat daily. Chiura, Yomari, Lakhamari, and Juju Dhau are all typical Newar foods that have been used for many centuries. Other foods we like to consume are Momos- a delicious dumpling offered across all parts of Nepal- with thousands of variations of pickles or condiments.

FAQs

What is the most popular food in Nepal?

In Nepal, the most consumed food is Dal Bhat. This meal of steamed rice served with lentil soup, vegetables, pickles, and occasionally meat, is consumed by the local people daily, while providing long-lasting energy.

What are traditional Nepali foods I must try?

You should try other traditional dishes like Dhido, Gundruk, Chiura, Momos, Sel Roti, Yomari, and Lakhamari, they represent Nepali culture and are found nationally in Nepal.

What are some popular street foods in Nepal?

Popular street foods include items such as Panipuri, Chatpate, Aloo Chop, Chatamari, Samosas, and Pakoras. So, you don’t just have to eat Dal Bhat to enjoy food, you can enjoy street food that is delicious, easy to access in local markets, and a good way to taste local flavors.

Where can I find authentic Nepali cuisine in Kathmandu?

The authentic local Nepali food can be found in local restaurants, the Newar restaurants, traditional sweet shops, and in festival markets in Kathmandu.

What are some famous sweets and desserts in Nepal?

Famous sweets include: Juju Dhau, Yomari, Lakhamari, Sel Roti, and Gudpak. Sweets are usually made during festivals or special occasions.

Can I try traditional Nepali food while trekking?

Yes. Teahouses along trekking routes like Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Base Camp serve Dal Bhat, soups, and snacks. Most dishes served at teahouses typically have unlimited amounts of food refills to keep trekkers nourished.

Where are the best places to eat in Nepal for locals and tourists?

The best places are local restaurants, street food stalls, traditional sweet shops, and teahouses along trekking routes, and festivals providing authentic flavors and a complete Nepali food experience.

Conclusion

Nepal provides a bounty of foods that show it's culture, geography and traditions. From traditional Nepali foods like Dal Bhat, Dhido, Gundruk, and Chiura to must-try foods in Nepal like Momos, Sel Roti, Yomari, and Lakhamari, every meal will give you a taste of the country's culinary experience. The street foods of Nepal - Panipuri, Chatpate, Aloo Chop, and Chatamari - each offer authentic experiences of the local flavour and can be found throughout the markets or roadside stalls. The sweets and desserts offered such as Gudpak, Juju Dhau, and Lakhamari showcase the celebratory culture of Nepali festivals and traditions. Hearty soups and stews like Thukpa, Kwati, Rildok, and Thenthuk, will certainly warm you in the mountains or provide energy for daily life and adventures.

You will find authentic taste of Nepali foods everywhere, whether you are visiting big cities like Kathmandu or trekking through the beautiful trails of the Himalayas, you will find authentic Nepali cuisine from restaurants and sweet shops to the local teahouses down the trek.

If you want to discover the best dishes, know where to eat them, and enjoy the true taste of Nepal, reach out to Himalayan Recreation. We can help you discover the most authentic meals and develop a culinary experience that showcases the diversity of Nepali food.