Nepal is not widely known as a foodie destination. In fact, many of the most common or typical dishes you find in Nepal are not actually Nepalese, because the country’s cuisine is heavily influenced by Tibet, India and Thailand. But, if you know what you’re looking for, you can find some truly great Nepalese food.
At the bottom of bowl, crunchy bits of fried dough are topped with a boiling mixture of peas and potatoes before being topped with a squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of coriander. I loved all the different flavors and textures in this one dish.
Mustang coffee is a drink popular with those that come to Nepal for trekking. It’s a mix of coffee, sugar or honey, butter and raksi– Nepalese moonshine or rice wine. I didn’t like it, but I do think everyone should try it, as it is so popular. You can’t come to Nepal and not try Mustang coffee!
You’re meant to eat these in one bite, which some in our group found a bit difficult, but I had no problems! I loved the combination of textures and tastes- sweet, yet slightly spicy.
When it’s raining, I love to grab a glass of this and sit in a cafe sipping this hot drink while waiting for the storm to pass.
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Momos
Easily my favorite thing to eat when I’m in Nepal, this dish originates from Tibet but is now a staple food in Nepal. Momos are steamed (sometimes fried) dumplings filled with anything from buffalo meat, chicken, and potatoes to even cheese and spinach. I ate these at least once a day, sometimes as many as three times a day, everyday I was in Nepal. Momos are hands down my favorite Nepalese food.
Buffalo chili
This version of chili is different than the version I’m used to at home, which is more like a stew. The Nepalese version consists of strips of dried buffalo meat that are pan fried with onion, peppers and garlic before being topped with cilantro. I’ve had versions of this that were almost too tough to chew (similar to jerky), while other versions have been fork tender. I prefer the more tender version, personally.
Thukpa
Thukpa is another dish commonly found in Nepal that actually originated in Tibet. This soup will probably remind you of the American chicken noodle soup you’re most accustomed to. The thicker than average broth is full of shredded chicken and vegetables, and if you want, you can add chili to spice it up a bit!
Mix chaat
Chaat is served in many different ways and acts as a base to which other ingredients are added. In fact, you’ll be seeing another type of chaat later on this same list. I found this version, which originates from India, as street food served from a cart, which made me somewhat hesitant to purchase it, but I’m glad I did.
At the bottom of bowl, crunchy bits of fried dough are topped with a boiling mixture of peas and potatoes before being topped with a squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of coriander. I loved all the different flavors and textures in this one dish.
Bara
This was probably my favorite new dish I discovered during my recent walking food tour of Kathmandu. Bara are spicy lentil cakes served with potatoes and peas and topped with a spicy sauce. I could eat these everyday! Definitly one of the best Nepalese Food.
Mustang Coffee
I’ll admit, this is the one thing on my list I didn’t actually enjoy, but I don’t like coffee to begin with, even though I know most people do.
Mustang coffee is a drink popular with those that come to Nepal for trekking. It’s a mix of coffee, sugar or honey, butter and raksi– Nepalese moonshine or rice wine. I didn’t like it, but I do think everyone should try it, as it is so popular. You can’t come to Nepal and not try Mustang coffee!
Thakali Set
Aside from momos, Thakali set is probably the meal I ate most while in Nepal. It centers around the biggest staple food in Nepal- dal bhat. Dal bhat is steamed riced served with a lentil soup. In a Thakali set, dal bhat is served with accompanying dishes such as spinach, a vegetable or chicken curry, pickles, spicy sauce and potatoes. The best thing about a Thakali set is that as you eat, the restaurant owner comes around and refills your plate like some grandmother that never thinks you’ve had enough to eat. You literally have to stop them from putting more on your plate when you’ve had your fill!
Dahi Puri
Another dish featuring chaat, dahi puri is one of the most interesting Nepalese food I tried. This dish consists of flour-filled smashed potatoes topped with chutney, yogurt and red chili powder.
You’re meant to eat these in one bite, which some in our group found a bit difficult, but I had no problems! I loved the combination of textures and tastes- sweet, yet slightly spicy.
Ginger/lemon/honey drink
And finally, my favorite thing to drink when I’m in Nepal. I’m not sure if this drink originated in Nepal, but I know I’ve only seen it sold in Nepal and India. Sometimes the liquid is hot water with a bag of lemon tea added to it, and sometimes it’s lemonade. Either way, the bottom of the glass is layered with honey and fresh ginger is grated into the drink.
When it’s raining, I love to grab a glass of this and sit in a cafe sipping this hot drink while waiting for the storm to pass.
I have never had Napalese food and it looks really tasty so hopefully one day I will get to try some. I like the look of Dahi Puri I could really eat this right now
It’s almost like a cross between Indian and chines or mongolian food right? I’m very intrigued. I never thought of Nepal as a destination! I tried dumplings similar to the ones you shared above, only there were Uzbek. Yum! They eat dip them in white vinegar with salt and pepper.
I’ve never been to Nepal, but I have had a Nepalese feast in a restaurant – and also had the privilege of a Nepalese chef visiting my house and cooking for us
I agree Momos are a must. Our private chef cooked 24 hour slow cooked goat curry which was utterly delicious!
This is a great post. You’ve got me wanting to head to Nepal just to eat! All of these dishes look awesome, but I really want to try Bara and a Thakali set. Can’t beat unlimited food refills!
I have only tried a little of Nepalese food, so it’s fascinating to read about some of these dishes. I have tried Momos and love them, and also the ginger and lemon hot drink! Would love to try all the rest, even that Mustang!
During a business trip to Washington DC I saw a Nepalese restaurant. I realized that I had no idea what that was. I had to go inside and try it. My take is that Nepalese food is closer to northern Indian food than southern Indian food. It was yummy and I would most certainly try it again.
The momos have migrated to India as well. It really a good dish esp the non veg ones.
Momos are my favorite! We actually had difficulties finding Nepalese food in Kathmandu – Thamel is full of Italian, Chinese and French restaurants, but almost no local ones! Probably the reason is that the trekkers are usually so tired of local food after hiking to Everest base camp or around Annapurna, that they want something else :))))
Nepalese food, I haven’t tried but looking at this, it seems like it would be my type.
So many of these are similar to dishes in India. Chaat and Dahi Puri are typical street foods in our country too. Thukpa is so delicious! Have you tasted all of these?
Your photos just made me hungry!!! I think I’d also go for momos, they look yummy! Baras also look interesting, I’d never heard about those!
These dishes look amazing. I would love to try all of them, even the coffee drink. It’s such a pleasure to taste new flavors when traveling as it adds so much to the experience.
We have a couple of Nepalese restaurants here in Luxembourg, but they don’t serve the kind of food I see on your pictures. Guess we have to travel to Nepal for that! All the plates look so delicious! Thank you for sharing this!
I had never really heard of Nepalese cuisine. This all looks so amazing, I can’t believe we don’t have Nepalese restaurants in our city. I especially like the mix chaat.
I would like to try some of these. The momos look really delicious. Maybe one day i will get the opportunity.
The Momos look absolutely delicious! Those would probably be my favorite as well. I’m a coffee fanatic in the U.S… but I like cream in my coffee, so not sure I would like Nepali coffee. I’d still have a cup, I might be surprised! 🙂
WOW! The pictures look yumilicious. I feel so hungry looking at them. I was in Nepal too and I tried many things like momos, dahi puri, chaat, mustang coffee and daal-bhaat among many other things. Can’t wait to go back.
It all looks and sounds amazing! I must admit I was skeptical before reading your article and seeing the food for myself.
I love mustang coffee, and I agree everyone should at least try it no matter if it’s your thing or not.
For sure- it wasn’t my favorite but I was happy that I had tried it!
Asian food is the best. I can’t imaging a better way to spend 6 months than traveling around Asia.