Food in Nepal - 15 Nepalese Dishes You Must Try

Nepalese cuisine is a flavorful fusion of diverse cultural influences, reflecting a rich tapestry of tastes, textures, and aromas. The country's culinary offerings boast a wide array of dishes that draw inspiration from its multicultural heritage, terrain diversity, and indigenous ingredients. Nepal features a variety of curries, including Tarkari (vegetable curry), meat curries like Khasi Ko Masu (spicy goat meat), and Kwati (a mixed bean soup). Nepalese cuisine employs an assortment of spices like cumin, coriander, turmeric, and garam masala, creating aromatic and flavorful dishes.

Here are the must try food in Nepal -

1. Dal Bhat

Considered the national dish, Dal Bhat is a staple meal comprising lentil soup (dal) paired with steamed rice (bhat). It's often accompanied by vegetables, pickles, and sometimes, achar (spicy sauce).

2. Momos

The next very popular dish is Momos. This is one of the favorites for tourists and a must-try for everyone visiting Nepal. Momos are small envelopes of white flour stuffed with veggies or minced lamb or chicken. They are served with different kinds of sauces and mayonnaise, which makes the combination a delicious snack. This food in Nepal has taken India by storm and is a popular street food across many countries as well. 

3. Wo or Bara

Wo is a kind of pancake made by the Newari people of Nepal. The Newaris are an indigenous group of locals in the Kathmandu valley. Wo is made with ground lentil (green or black) batter during the 'Sithi Nakha', a Newari festival. These Dal patties are light and perfect for snacks. For non-vegetarians, Bara can also be added with minced chicken and battered egg.

4. Sel Roti

A fusion of doughnut and bagel, Sel Roti is one of the most sought-after snacks in Nepal during festivals like Tihar and Dashain. It is a circular rice flour bread that is deeply fried to make it crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. It is crispy and sweet and tastes best with yogurt or veggies. Being a popular festival food in Nepal, this dish is a must on your culinary bucket list. 

5. Samosa

Samosas are typically a famous Indian delicacy, but you get them fresh onto your plate in Nepal as well. It is a spicy dish and is a mixture of mashed potato and spices stuffed in a triangular envelope made of white flour. This is then fried to make the shell crunchy. If you're not a fan of spicy food, you might want to take a nibble and taste it first. These delicacies are served with a sweet red colored Chutney, and you might want to have them fresh off the pan.

6. Yomari

A sweet dish prepared from rice dough and stuffed with a sweet paste made of coconut, sesame seeds, and molasses, Yomari is a festival food in Nepal, made only during the festival of Yomari Punhi. This festival is celebrated each year in the winter to thank the Gods for a good harvest. This dish is very famous is Kathmandu, and you might also find its spicy version made with lentils. 

7. Dhindho or Dhido

Look into the corners of Kathmandu and in the Thamel region, you'll find a hidden delicacy, the Dhindho or Dhido Thali. It is actually a thick porridge prepared by boiling stone-ground cornmeal, buckwheat flour, and millet flour with salt in water. It is the staple diet in rural areas and is eaten with butter, vegetable curries, pickles, buttermilk, and yogurt.

8. Gundruk

This is a condiment or a side dish often accompanied by Dhido. It is considered to be Nepal's national food. It is actually fermented or pickled green and leafy vegetables. It is made by storing mustard, radish, and cauliflower in an earthen pot. It is then left to be pickled until the veggies inside release acidic juices and have undergone fermentation.

9. Gorkhali Lamb

It is a collection of assorted flavors, all stuffed into one package. Gorkhali lamb is essentially a curry dish that is prepared by slow-cooking the lamb in the curry along with potatoes and onions. It is then removed from the curry, grilled, and covered with a layer of spicy chili mix, giving it an intense flavor. It is then put back into the curry to cook for a bit longer. Lamb is one of the favourites of the Nepalese, and this dish will surely be something worth trying.

10. Juju Dhau

Also known as the 'king curd', Juju Dhau is a type of yogurt. It is a creamy, thick, and sweet dish normally preferred as a dessert. Made with buffalo milk, this dish is very famous among the Newaris people and is a must-try if you are visiting Bhaktapur. You'll find a lot of street-side vendors selling Juju Dhau in Bhaktapur.

11. Chatamari

Normally referred to as the Nepali Pizza, this Newari snack is actually not so close to a pizza when it comes to taste. It's rather a rice flour crepe cooked with toppings including coriander, minced meat, eggs, chopped onions, chilies and a lot of spices. It is only because of its round shape and appearance that it is referred to as a type of pizza. Quite a different dish amongst other food in Nepal, this one is a must-try. 

12. Thukpa

It is a noodle soup served in the mountains of Nepal during winter. It can have meat, eggs, or simply vegetables. It is normally served along with a dish called Momos. This dish carries along with it a lot of inspiration from Tibetan and Chinese cuisines. The meat used in Thukpa can be goat, lamb, chicken, or even yak. This dish is more like a survival kit against the shivering cold of the mountains. Along with a great taste, it provides the locals with the perfect nutrients they need.

13. Samay Baji

One of the main dishes in Nepalese food, the Samay Baji, is a gourmet dish that has been passed on through the generations of Nepali people. It is a platter containing barbecued buffalo meat and boiled eggs, along with beaten rice and spicy potato salad. It is a traditional dish that is served on auspicious occasions in the Newari culture. 

14. Choila

Also a part of the extensive Newari cuisine, this food in Nepal is a spicy one made with water buffalo meat. There are also other variants of Choila that use duck meat or normal meat. This is a hot and spicy savory dish served with rice flakes. This is also a part of the Samay Baji and is a very famous dish during festivities.

15. Tongba

Better known as 'Tibetan Hot Beer', this is a very famous local beer that you'll find people sipping from a cast like vessels through bamboo straws. It is millet-based alcohol and is also a traditional drink in Nepal. It is a warm beverage and is normally consumed in large quantities.

16. Everest Beer

This local Nepali beer is made with rice and is a cheap buy. You might want to give it a go if you are a beer fan. There is also another local alcohol called Raksi, which is the traditional beverage of the Limbu people, and it is normally served with pork or beef meat.

Nepalese cuisine offers a delightful blend of simple yet flavorful dishes, celebrating local ingredients and culinary traditions passed down through generations, making it a delightful experience for food enthusiasts exploring the diverse flavors of Nepal.