Nepalese food: 10 things we love

Kathmandu city view on the early morning on sunrise with rising sun and famous buddhist Boudhanath Stupa temple. Tibetan traditional architecture, Nepal.

Nepalese cuisine: Rajiv KC's guide

Daal-bhaat

Daal-bhaat (lentils and rice) is a staple in Nepal cuisine. Nepalis eat it for lunch, dinner and sometimes for breakfast, too. It usually comes as lentils and rice with seasonal greens, tarkaari (a vegetable dish) and achaar (a pickle condiment, usually tomato-based). The dish varies region to region but using knives and forks is frowned upon, so you have to enjoy this dish with your hands.

Dal Bhat, traditional Nepali meal platter with rice, lentils soup, vegetables, papadum and spices.

Chyang Nepalese drink

In bhattis (small local bars) you will find chyang on the menu. An alcoholic beverage, it’s home-brewed and made of fermented rice. Traditionally served in a tall brass mug and local to Kathmandu valley and its neighbouring villages, it is also widely drunk in the mountain regions to keep oneself warm.

Khasi ko maasu (Nepalese goat curry)

Arguably the most famous curry to come out of Nepal. Khasi ko maasu is a goat curry. In Nepali, there is no word for curry, so if it is a vegetable curry, it’s called ‘tarkaari’ and if it’s meat curry, it’s called ‘maasu’. In reverse translation, tarkaari means ‘any vegetable’ and maasu means ‘any meat’. Goat is one of the most expensive meats in Nepal and is sought after at festivals.

Ghongi

Ghongi is a snail dish and more famous in the terai (plain) part of Nepal. With Nepal being a landlocked country and hence deprived of seashores and oceans, Nepalis rely on freshwater fish and shellfish. Ghongi is popular due to how its prepared. You get snails from the fields during monsoon season and they are cooked in lots of garlic and in a broth-like curry sauce including heaps of spring onions. Make sure to dive into a deep broth of ghongi with your bare hands as cutlery is a big no.

HWHAP8 Tharu woman preparing snail food in snail with shells

Tongba

Another home-brewed alcohol drink that locals adore because of the depth of flavour from fermented millet grain. Very popular in Kathmandu valley and in mountain regions, it’s traditionally served in a bamboo cup. It is usually drunk in the winter as you top it up with hot water.

Dhedo

Dhedo is another staple of Nepal. Made with millet grain with a polenta-like consistency, it’s eaten with daal or a side of achaar (pickle). It is also a great source of fibre.

Ju ju dhau

Ju ju dhau means ‘king of yogurt’ in Nepali. Mainly produced in Bhaktapur town (part of Kathmandu valley), ju ju dhau is very creamy in texture with a subtle sweetness, and is a must-have at festivals and gatherings. Think of rich creamy panna cotta but freshly made and sold in big clay bowls.

Close up of Plain Curd in a clay pot with holding hands. Dahi or Yogurt

Momos (Nepalese dumplings)

These dumplings are the unofficial national dish of Nepal. They say there are more momos pasal (little shops) in Kathmandu alone than all the McDonald’s combined in North America. Usually served with a spicy tomato dipping sauce, buff momos (made of water buffalo meat) are very popular.

Thakali thaali

Thakali is one of the ethnic groups of Nepal, known for its delicious food. Thakali cuisine has grown very popular, with many restaurants appearing in Kathmandu valley. One of my favourites is dhedo/rice, daal, thakali tarkaari, pickle condiment and greens. Thakali differs from region to region.

Gundruk and sinki

Gundruk and sinki are made by fermenting the green leaves of a vegetable (normally spinach). They are made by storing in a hole in the ground, covering and leaving to ferment for two to three months at the end of summer, ready for winter. They have a sour note and are used as a tarkari (vegetable curry). Both gundruk and sinki are mostly cooked with bhatmaas (soya beans) for extra flavour. They are mostly made in the mountain regions of Nepal.