Nepal is highly influenced by its neighboring countries like India, China, Tibet and opened up their borders to outsiders in the 1950s. Due to which Nepal face transport and trade difficulty and focused on using its own or locally grown produce.
Nepal cuisine common ingredients include lentils, potatoes, tomatoes, cumin, coriander, chilies, peppers, garlic, and mustard oil. Yogurt or Dahi is famous across Nepal and can be used as a side dish or an important ingredient in drinks (Lassi) and desserts (Sikarni). It is considered to be very healthy and adaptable in nature. Other than that, rice is one of the main staple foods across the country. There are foods that are the mainstays while visiting Nepal. Taste these mouth-watering dishes by booking yourself a package of our lucrative collections of deals for Nepal tours. Get us a quote today!
Pulao
Rice is one of the most common staple foods for many Nepalese dishes, same as other Asian countries. The fried rice dish is called Pulao (also known as Pilaf and Pilau) and is famous among locals and visitors likewise. Pulao is very popular and can be found throughout Nepal. It consists of fried rice, vegetable and lightly seasoned with cumin and turmeric. Pulao is accompanied by yogurt and papadams, and the taste is spread from the rice, meaning the dish is a regular food for all events and celebrations within the country.
Dal Bhat
Rice is substituted with other grains (due to farming restrictions in Nepal) such as cornmeal and barley, along with potatoes, and dhido (a porridge-like consistency made with hot water and flour). If Nepal had a national dish, it would be looking at one of the popular dishes, Dal Bhat. Dal Bhat consists of rice and lentils comprised of various side-dishes or add-ons like pickles, curried dishes, meat or fish, yogurt or chutney. Rice can be replaced by roti if you have a thing for bread, in Nepal. While visiting Nepal try it at least once to get the taste of Nepalese cuisine.
Momo
Momo is a Nepalese version of dumplings which consists of steamed vegetables or meat cooked in a steam pot. It is quite spicy as it contains raw chili and garlic. It is also carried with two dips, one of which is tomato base and the other is fermented vegetables. Momo is a very popular snack which is most often consumed in India, Bhutan, and Tibet as well. The Momo also include fillings of cheese (paneer or chhurpi) or potato. To eat a delicious Momo, fillings of vegetable or meat is a must eat.
Thukpa
Thukpa, which consists of meat or vegetable soup, is a Nepalese hot noodle soup famous in Kathmandu and other regions of Nepal, as a warm and comforting dish. Thukpa is influenced both by Tibet and China and is often eaten with Momos. The carefully seasoned meat stock with meat toppings ranging from yak, goat, and lamb to chicken presents a very pleasant aroma and taste to the dish. The dish is popular in Nepal and Tibet, sometimes the Nepalese version is spicier making it different from the Tibetan style.
Sel Roti
Sel roti is actually made of rice flour unlike other breads made in different parts of the world. It is a cross between a doughnut and a bagel. Its crispy and sweet outer surface gives the way to puffy and soft textured dough. The rice flour bread is deep-fried and made into a circular shape. This is a perfect snack or breakfast treat and consumed more often in Tihar and Dashain festivals. It tastes its best when dipped in yogurt along with cooked vegetables. Sel roti can be found on the streets of Nepal and is best eaten hot and fresh.
Gorkhali Lamb
Gorkhali lamb is an intense and filling curry dish to be enjoyed in winter. It involves slowly cooking the lamb, with chunky potatoes and chopped onions. To add more flavor, the lamb is grilled and sealed with a chili mixture before transferring it to the sauce. Rice is a nice addition, to make it a finished dish but sometimes scooping up with roti is a better idea.
