The following highlights some of the popular Traditional Nepali Foods. If you manage to be in an Nepali restaurant or you are visiting Nepal, I recommend the following:
1. Gorkhali Lamb
Lamb is one of the most popular types of meat in Nepal and is prepared as a delicacy on special occasions or festivals. One of the many ways of cooking lamb is Gorkhali lamb curry. It is made from roasted lamb stewed with mixed chillies. Gorkhali lamb is usually a very spicy and rich curry with a slightly hot flavor so that the spices do not overpower the lamb.
2. Chatamari
It is a kind of rice crepe. It is a special dish of the Newars in the Kathmandu valley, a special form of “roti” made with rice flour. Chatamari has become very popular among the other cultures in Nepal, and many restaurants serve it, and you can even see businesses bearing the name “Chatamari Restaurant”. Chatamari can have toppings such as meat, vegetables, eggs or sugar, and is sometimes referred to as newari pizza.
3. Thukpa
It is a noodle soup, which is served in the mountains of Nepal during winters. It can have meat, egg or just vegetables. It is usually served with Momos. This dish takes a lot of inspiration from Tibetan and Chinese cuisine. The meat used in Thukpa can be goat, lamb, chicken or even yak. This dish is like a survival kit against the cold in the mountains. Along with great taste, it provides the locals with the perfect nutrients they need.
4. Sel Roti
This dish is like a fusion of bagel and donuts. It is a circular loaf of rice flour that is deep-fried to make it crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It is crunchy and sweet and tastes best with yogurt or vegetables. It is a popular snack at street food stalls.
5. Gundruk
It is a brothy curry made with fermented and then dried green vegetables. Gundruk is a typical Nepalese dish that claims to be one of the national dishes. It is a fermented food made from green leafy vegetables, usually spinach. It can be served as a main dish or as a side dish to accompany another dish. Gundruk is a very good source of minerals.
6. Dal Bhat
It is one of the most traditional dishes in Nepal. This curried rice and lentil dish is accompanied by a variety of vegetables and spiced meat (spinach, potatoes, mushrooms, chicken, yak, etc.), as well as a salad, pickles and curd (between cheese and curd). It’s not just a dish, it’s a full, tasty and satisfying meal.
7. Yomari
Yomari, which literally means “delicious bread” in the Newari language, is undoubtedly one of the most popular Newari dishes. It is a steamed fish-shaped dumpling covered with fresh rice flour and filled with chak (treacle) or khuwa (condensed milk) and sesame seeds. Yomari is a healthy, delicious and nutritious snack dessert that is popularly served as a snack.
8. Wo or Bara
Bara, also called wo, is made with ground lentil batter (green or black). These Dal patties are light and perfect for snacking. It can also be added with minced chicken and egg batter.
9. Momos
This is a favorite for tourists and is a must for all visitors to Nepal. Momos are small sachets of white flour that can be steamed or fried, stuffed with vegetables or minced lamb or chicken. They are served with different kinds of sauces and mayonnaise which makes for a delicious snack combination.
10. Juju Dhau
Also known as ‘king curd’, Juju Dhau is a type of yogurt. It is a creamy, thick and sweet dish that is usually preferred as a dessert. Made with buffalo milk, this dish is very famous among the people of Newaris and is a must try if you visit Bhaktapur, where you will find many street vendors selling Juju Dhau.
If you found this list useful, here are some more Traditional Asian Foods to try out on my Pinterest channel.