Nadia Farha Mubin
Nepal, or The daughter of the Himalayas, is one of the most beautiful and culturally enriched places in the world. One of the most significant things about this rich culture is all the exquisite delicacies that you can only get your hands on in this independent South Asian country. Though influenced by the cuisine of its neighbouring countries like India, China and Tibet, most of these Nepalese dishes feature a unique and intricate blend of flavours that can excite all the senses in your palate. There are so many delicious things to eat in Nepal, that travellers often fail to keep track and miss out on a few. So in this article, we are going to compile a list of the most delectable and distinctive dishes you can only find in Nepalese Cuisine.
Sel Roti
Sel Roti, the sweet and crispy treat is one of the most common traditional delicacies in Nepal for the festivals of Tihar and Dashian.
This unique fusion of doughnuts and bagels is a circular bread made with rice flour which is deep-fried to give it a crunchy exterior while the insides remain soft. This dish pairs perfectly with yoghurt or light vegetables.
Chatamari
Many countries have their own version of pizza, and Chatamari is the Nepali version of it although with a completely different taste. The base is made of rice flour crepe topped with coriander, minced meat, eggs, chopped onions, chillies and a lot of spices. This is a must-try among other delicacies in Nepal.
Dhindho or Dhido
Dhindho or Dhido Thali is yet another one of the hidden delicacies in Nepal. It is a type of thick porridge prepared by boiling stone-ground cornmeal, buckwheat flour, maize flour or millet flour in salted water.
It is mainly consumed by people in rural areas and is coupled with butter, vegetable curries, pickles, buttermilk, yoghurt, meat soup, milk, lentil soup, or Gundruk.
Chatpate
If you love spicy food and don’t mind having fireworks go off in your mouth, then you will love Nepali Chatpate. A unique blend of several spices that will give you a hint of tanginess, spiciness, and sweetness in just one bite.
Gundruk
This side dish of fermented or pickled green and leafy vegetables eaten with Dhido is regarded as the national food of Nepal.
It is generally prepared by storing mustard, radish and cauliflower in an earthen pot until the veggies inside have undergone fermentation.
Gorkhali Lamb
Classified as a curry dish, Gorkhali lamb is a collection of mixed exotic flavours prepared by slow-cooking a curry with lamb, potatoes and onions. After a while, the lamb is removed from the curry, grilled and infused with intense flavours by covering it with a layer of spicy chilli mix before putting it back in the curry to be cooked for another few minutes. Nepalese love eating Lamb, so you can be sure that this dish will be worth it.
Juju Dhau
Juju Dhau or ‘king curd’ is a type of creamy, thick and sweet yoghurt dish made with buffalo milk.
You can find this dessert even on the street corners sold by street-side vendors. Juju Dhau is a must for all festivities and is often served in a clay pot.
Thukpa
Everyone enjoys a good bowl of warm Thukpa accompanied by a fresh serving of momos during the winter season in Nepal. It is like a survival dish for the intense cold weather.
Inspired by Tibetan and Chinese cuisines, It is a hot noodle soup with meat, egg or mixed vegetables. Thukpa can be made with goat, lamb, chicken or even yak meat. Add some lime to further enhance its flavours.
Sadheko Sukuti
Meat lovers take note. If you have the chance to visit Nepal then don’t forget to try out their exclusive delicacies like Sadheko Sukuti. It is a dried meat dish with tangy, spicy, and smoky flavours that are intoxicating to your palate. It can be prepared and served in multiple ways. But the most popular way would be with little spices and raw onions, chillis, and garlic served as a starter or side dish with beaten rice or pickles.
Yomari
Whether sweet or savoury, dishes made with rice flour are not uncommon in Nepal’s cuisine. And Yomari is a sweet addition to the list would be Yomari. It is a sweet festival dish in Nepal, made with rice flour dough and Chaaku which is a sweet paste filling made with coconut, sesame seeds and molasses.
You can also come across a spicy version of it made with lentils, Khuwa and meat. It is only made during Yomari Punhi, an annual festival to thank the gods for a good harvest.
Choila
Choila is a hot and spicy dish you can enjoy with a serving of rice flakes. It is quite a famous dish during festivities. This savoury dish is made with water buffalo meat and sometimes with duck meat or other meats. This is another lamb dish that you should try when in Nepal.
Tongba
Tongba, more popularly known as ‘Tibetan Hot Beer’, is an indigenous drink of the Limbu community.
It is made from fermented millet and is traditionally drunk during the winter. You will definitely find a large number of folks sipping from a cast-like vessel called Tongba through bamboo straws.
Lafhing
This common Tibetan street food has recently attracted a lot of attention in the streets of Kathmandu. Normally served with cold-spiced water, a pinch of salt, coriander, onions, cloves, garlic and a few drops of sesame oil. This dish can be consumed both in the winter and summer in Nepal.
Titaura
It is healthy, sour and spicy and can be available in a variety of ways. If you go to Nepal now, you will see a chain of Titaura shops welcoming you. Be careful though, as you might get addicted to its indulging taste.
Sherpa Stew
Usually found in the high Himalayan, Sherpa Stew is a Trekkers dish. It is a thick soup with dough, veggies and rice making it a complete meal.
It can help provide the trekkers with the required energy by keeping them full for a long time. And the fact that it tastes delicious with a Sprinkle of Schezuan pepper is a plus point.
Aloo Tama
Aalu Tama is one of the most unique and delectable delicacies you can find very easily in Nepal. Though you can see a great influence of Chinese and Indian tastebuds in this dish, this spicy and sour soup made with potato, bamboo shoots, and black-eyed beans has become a huge part of Nepali cuisine. It is often served as a side dish with rice and roti.
Did this article awaken the tingly sensation of your tongue? So if you also want to try out these dishes then hurry up and book your flight from British Bangla Travel Ltd today.
