Top 10 foods of Nepal

1. Dal Bhat Takari

By far the most popular dish eaten by locals is Dal Bhat Takari (usually just referred to as Dal Bhat) which is consumed by Nepali people every single day, sometimes twice!

It consists of several foods, the first being Dal which is the lentil soup, Bhat which is the rice, and Takari which is the vegetables. The dish can also be served with various meat or fish, sometimes even an omelet and various sides or sauces. Dhal Bhat can be eaten in different ways but the locals usually pour the soup over their rice and then mix in sauces as wished.

Although you’ll see tourists eating with a fork, most Nepali people actually eat this with their right hand, something that is not as easy as it looks! I tried and made a complete mess and had difficulty picking up as much rice as I intended. They say if you get food on your palm it is bad manners and a sign of messiness, something I had difficulty avoiding.

If you go trekking in Nepal, expect to have dhal bhat every day while staying in homestays.

2. Momos

The second most popular Nepali food, which was my ABSOLUTE favorite, is momos! These delicious balls are similar to dumplings, the outside made with flour and water, and the filling is veggies or meat with various spices. After folding in the filling, the momos can either be steamed or fried and are then eaten with a dipping sauce. Momos are incredibly addicting but after a plate of 10 for lunch, you’ll be set until dinner!

I actually had the chance to make momos myself while in Nepal, which was much more involved than I thought! Getting the perfect fold using my thumbs was difficult, but after some practice I was a pro! At least in my book.

3. Sel Roti

Sel Roti is similar to a donut in that it is a sweet bread that’s been fried and is oh so delicious! It’s especially popular to prepare during Tihar and Dashain, Nepali holidays.

4. Chiura

Chiura is odd to many foreigners, but personally I LOVED it. It’s essentially beaten rice that’s been flattened by the blows which creates a very crunchy and dry texture. It’s particularly delicious when you mix it with other sides or sauces to give them an added crunch.

5. Kheer

Kheer is a sweet rice pudding that’s served as a dessert. It’s flavored and garnished with coconut, cashews, raisins, saffron, cardamon, almonds, and other choice elements.

6. Panipuri or Puchka

Panipuri was especially unique to me and probably my favorite Nepali street food. It is little balls, hollowed out with thin walls made of fried batter; inside is a sort of soup or broth, with various spices like masala and chutney with potatoes, onions and chickpeas. Sometimes there are different toppings, but it was always delicious and great for a quick snack in Kathmandu.

7. Jkaikhatte

This is a Nepali alcholic drink that can be found especially in the villages while trekking. Its name comes from the sound when raksi (Nepali alcholol made from millet or rice) is mixed with hot ghee and rice grains. It’s often served with fried rice and warm as seen in the photo. In my opinion the taste was very strong and unlike anything I had tried before.

8. Thukpa

Thukpa is a soup that actually originated in Tibet and made its way to Nepal, but with more spicy Indian influence than the original.

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9. Newari Khaja

This is a set of food usually containing buffalo meat, lentil soup, beaten rice and other sides.

10. Jhilinga

Jhilinga is a crunchy food of simple ingredients but complex form. It’s made of rice flour mixed into boiling hot water from which noodles are then formed and then set aside. After a few days that these noodles have set in the sun, it is then deep fried. This treat is popular in Gurung villages.

Fun Fact:

In Nepal, brass or copper plates and platters are reserved for guests.

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Tags:

Asia, Food & Travel, Nepal, Travel Inspiration

1 Comment

Marta LebronPosted at 21:30h, 22 AugustReplyI would love to visit Nepal. I work in a hospital with a few of Nepali people, and they always invite me to eat from their food but I’m scared that I won’t like and make em feel bad. But otherwise they’re very nice humble people..

ABOUT

Hey there, I’m Caroline! A solo traveler who loves adventure, trying new foods, learning about culture, and practicing photography. I write guides specifically for solo travelers, share my stories around the world, and give insider travel tips. My aim is to help you travel with confidence, no matter the destination!

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