Cuisine of Nepal

Nepali cuisine is heavily influenced by Indian, Tibetan and Chinese cuisines. Dal-bhaat is the staple food of all Nepalis irrespective of ethnicity. While bhaat refers to simple boiled rice, dal is a lentil-based gravy. This is often accompanied by a vegetable curry termed tarkari. Other than this, there are some variations in the food consumed by different ethnic groups and also depending upon the region. Like for instance, people residing in the mountainous regions may substitute rice for other grains like wheat, maize, millets, cornmeal or barley.

Yomari
Yomari is one of the most unique dishes offered by the Newar community of Nepal. This steamed dish is specially prepared in a Newar family during the winter and said to kill cold. The dish has a peculiar shape made out of rice dough. Sweets like chaku and khuwa are packed inside the dough and steamed. Some of the variety also contains finely spiced lentil inside the steamed rice dough cover.

Samay Baji
Samay Baji is the famous Newari dish served as a starter in family get-together and festivals. The dish consists of Chiura ( beaten rice) and is served with many side dishes like Choila (marinated meat), fried boiled egg, black soybeans, spicy potato pickle, finely cut ginger, spiced beans, green leafy vegetables, buff and Newari drink called “Aila”.

Sel Roti
Sel Roti is a famous sweet, ring- shaped dish mostly prepared during Tihar. It is a deep fried rice dough. To add taste, sugar, and cardamom is mixed in the dough before frying it. Sel Rotis are common in local eateries and now available in some of the famous departmental stores in the cities.

Chatamari
Chatamari, a must try delicacy of Nepal, is referred as Newari Pizza by many foreigners. It is made from rice flour. The rice crepe is topped with minced meat, egg and seasoned with vegetables. Prepared in a special way, it is quite different from other “Roti”- bread prepared in Nepal. The bread is baked without flipping it in the pan, unlike other bread.

Dhido
Dhido is a traditional Nepali food widely consumed in hilly and mountain region of Nepal, where rice and wheat is not abundant. Dhido is similar to Polenta and is made by continuously mixing hot water and flours of maize and buckwheat. It is often eaten along with local vegetable curry, pickle, or Gundruk (fermented leafy green vegetable) soup. Although a food of humble origin, Dhido is the second most popular dish in the country after Dal bhat and we can now find it being served in many Nepali restaurants.

Momo cha
Momo or MoMo Cha (in Newar communities) is a famous food in Nepal. Momo are bite size dumplings filled with seasoned stuffing. Inside the dumpling you can add veggies, meat, sweets, or anything you prefer. The dish is usually steamed but other varieties of the dish do exist. The dish comes other varieties called Kothey Momo (fried) and C-Momo (served with a spicy hot soup.) Although the dish is said to be originated from Tibet, it highly evolved with Newari seasoning to suit the Nepali palate.

Puwa
Puwa is regarded as pious food among the Hindus. It is usually served during sacred rituals and Puja. This is a sweet dish prepared with rice flour, butter and sugar. Sweet and crusty, it is a mouth watering dish prepared occasionally. You can eat it dry or with warm milk.