Best 10 Nepali Foods That You Should Experience

Besides captivating mountains and unique culture, Nepal is also famous for its rich variety of food that is as diverse as the country’s geography and culture. No matter if you are walking around in Kathmandu or eating in a Nepali restaurant halfway across the world, the food will never disappoint you. From hot momos to dhal soup, food from Nepal is delightful. The following are the best ten foods of Nepal that everyone wishing to indulge in Nepalese cuisine should be guessing.

Momo: The Nepali Dumpling

It is obvious that no tour of Nepal is complete without sampling momo, the appetising Nepali dumpling. These delicious morsels can be steamed or fried and stuffed with various meats, vegetables, cheese, and other savory fillings. They are served with spicy dipping sauces, which makes them a wonderful snack and appetizer.

Momos differ in style as follows:

• Steamed momo – Soft, fluffy dumplings with seasoned fillings of chicken, pork, or vegetables.
• Fried momo – Crispy and golden brown dumplings ideal for those who love crunchy delights.

Momos are increasingly famous in the world today and found in the menus of countless Nepali restaurants. They are considered comfort food and are delicately enjoyed in all kinds of celebrations such as festivals or family gatherings.

Dal Bhat: The Heart of Nepali Meals

• Dal Bhat is the best example of a Nepali meal most households will relish. It is a simple and straightforward nourishing dish that contains dal (a form of lentil soup) served with bhat (steamed rice), vegetables, chutney, and at times meat or fish. This meal is filled with all forms of healthy nutrition balanced in a single plate.
• In the countryside of Nepal, dal bhat is consumed at least twice a day – for lunch and dinner. However, during dinner, this dish is served with tarkari (vegetable curry), gundruk (fermented leafy greens), or even achar (sour pickle) which makes the dish more unique.

Sel Roti: Nepali Rice Doughnut

• Preparing sel roti, a traditional rice doughnut, is very common during the festivals of Tihar and Dashain. Sel roti is made from rice flour, sugar, yogurt, and then deep fried into crisp and golden perfection. It is a light crunchy treat that is ideal for snacking and desserts.
• In addition to being a staple for special occasions, sel roti is consumed with tea during the day. Everyone in Nepal is familiar with this donut and it is usually gifted to friends and family during holidays and celebrations.

Newari Cuisine: Bara and Yomari

There are so many distinct and flavorful foods offered by the Newar community of the Kathmandu valley which form an integral part of the Nepali cuisine, this includes Bara and Yomari.

• Bara: Fried lentil doughnuts that have a unique aromatic herby flavor and are mostly served during festivals and special ceremonies.
• Yomari: A delicacy of sweet steamed dumplings traditionally made during the Jagdish Maagha Samkranti festival’s full moon. Its filling consists of sesame seeds and jaggery.

The Newars people of Nepal will always be known by these foods because they form the centerpiece of the cuisine for such rich culture and history, along with their many other nutritious delicacies.

Dhido: The Popular Rice and Bread Substitute

• A staple in certain regions of Nepal, dhido is prepared by slowly cooking buckwheat flour in boiling water until the batter forms a thick, lumpy dough. It is also nutritious and gluten free, making it a perfect substitute for bread and rice.
• Typically eaten during the colder months, dhido is often served with either pickles or fermented greens, as well as enjoyed by many health enthusiasts around the world for its many nutritious benefits.

Chatamari: The National Dish of Nepal

• Made with minced meat, egg, and vegetables, chatamari is enjoyed best with family or on special occasions. It first originated from the Newar community, before quickly gaining popularity, where today you can even refer to it as the `Nepalese pizza` Thanks to its soft rice crust, it remains crispy.
• Preparing chatamari includes spreading motar of flour and rice over a hot stove and frying it like a pancake. The pancake can have toppings like minced meat, vegetables, or eggs too. Chatamari is frequently consumed as a snack or an appetizer and is tasty to street food lovers.

Thukpa: Nepali Noodle Soup

• If you are located in hilly parts of Nepal which are colder, this is a dish to try. Thukpa is a sort of soup that comes from Tibet. Ganbanheated noodle soup with vegetables, meat (usually chicken and goat), and matzo with breaker wither. thpuwan is named after “ noodle”.
• This dish can also be prepared with chicken, ginger, garlic, and garnished with a warm dollop of chilies. It comes very handy after a hot day spent on the tall mountains, and garnished with a warm chili makes it better.

Sukuti: Nepali Dried Meat

• Sukuti goes the extra mile towards catering for meat lovers. This dried and cured beef or buffalo meat is marinated with an intricate blend of spices before being left to sun bathe or lake for the best result.
• Sukuti is typically dried and cut into strips that are then enjoyed with fried rice or pickles. It is a common snack enjoyed during informal gatherings and appears frequently at local pubs.

Aloo Tama

• Aloo Tama is a popular Nepali curry prepared with potatoes, bamboo shoots, and black-eyed peas. This dish is both tangy and spicy primarily due to the richness of potatoes and the sourness of bamboo shoots.
• Aloo Tama pairs beautifully with rice or dhido. It is a staple in most Nepali households, showcasing how food in Nepal creatively employs local and seasonal ingredients to make hearty and delicious dishes.

Lass

• Lassi is a popular drink that one needs to try while in Nepal. It is made with yogurt, sugar, and milk, making for a refreshing drink especially during the hot months.
• Nepalis enjoy Lassi in two varieties: sweet and salty. Sweet lassi is served with sugar, fruits, or rosewater, making for a tasty dessert. Salty lassi is more savory with the addition of salt, herbs, and spices, perfectly balancing out the heat in spicy dishes.
• Lassi is often offered to guests or serves heavy meals in Nepal because it has the ability to aid digestion.

Conclusion

Nepal’s delicious food is determined by the geography, culture, and traditions of Nepal alongside its history as Nepal includes several ethnicities. From dumpling called momo to the plate of dal bhat and Newari cuisines, these 10 most loved Nepali foods would surely help you know at the heart of Nepalese food. Therefore, when you are in Nepal, or even if you are visiting a Nepali restaurant, do not miss out on such glorifying dishes!