If you look vaguely into the Nepali cuisine, you may feel that Nepal lacks variety other than the so called staple “Dal bhat”. But when you look deeper into the Nepali kitchen you will discover a new dish in every home for every occasion. The multi-ethnic and multi-cultured Nepal has its own rich variety of dishes to offer. Every community in Nepal holds its own rich food culture that is yet to be explored. Newar community itself has more than 200 dishes in its rich cuisine. The mountain region of Nepal has the cuisine that are much influenced by the Tibet while the Terai has its own wide variety of the food due to rich agriculture produce.
Many of these unique Nepali dishes are left unnoticed as they are not commercially produced and served in the restaurants. In our list, we have tried to include the dishes which have their own unique Nepali flavor and are comparatively not accessible to the one new to Nepal.
1. Yomari
Yomari is one of the most unique dish offered by the Newar community of Nepal. This steamed dish is usually prepared in a Newar family during the winters and said to kill cold. The dish has a peculiar shape made out of rice flour which contains Nepali sweets like chaku and khuwa. Some of the variety also contains finely spiced lentil inside the steamed rice dough cover.
Samay baji is the famous Newari dish served as a starter in family get-together and Festivals. The dish consists of Chura ( beaten rice) and is served with many of side dishes like Choila (marinated meat), fried boiled egg, black soybeans, spicy potato pickle, finely cut ginger, spiced beans, green leafy vegetables, goat curry and Newari drink called ““Aila”.
Sel Roti is a famous sweet ring shaped dish mostly prepared during Tihar. It is a rich dish prepared by deep frying sweetened rice flour. Sel Rotis are found in local eateries and now available in some of the famous departmental stores in the cities.
Chatamari, a must try delicacy of Nepal, is referred as Newari pizza by many foreigners. Chatamari is made from rice floor, the rice crepe is topped with minced meat, egg and seasoned with vegetables.
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 or MoMo Cha (in Newar communities) dumpling is a famous food in Nepal. Momo are bite sized dumplings filled with seasoned stuffing. Although the dish is said to be originated from Tibet the dish has highly evolved with Newari seasoning to suit the Nepali palate. 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.)
Puwa is regarded as pure food and is usually served during sacred rituals and Puja. Puwa is a sweet dish prepared with rice flour, butter and sugar. It can be eaten on its own or served with warm milk.
Many of these unique Nepali dishes are left unnoticed as they are not commercially produced and served in the restaurants. In our list, we have tried to include the dishes which have their own unique Nepali flavor and are comparatively not accessible to the one new to Nepal.
1. Yomari
Yomari is one of the most unique dish offered by the Newar community of Nepal. This steamed dish is usually prepared in a Newar family during the winters and said to kill cold. The dish has a peculiar shape made out of rice flour which contains Nepali sweets like chaku and khuwa. Some of the variety also contains finely spiced lentil inside the steamed rice dough cover.2. Samay Baji
Samay baji is the famous Newari dish served as a starter in family get-together and Festivals. The dish consists of Chura ( beaten rice) and is served with many of side dishes like Choila (marinated meat), fried boiled egg, black soybeans, spicy potato pickle, finely cut ginger, spiced beans, green leafy vegetables, goat curry and Newari drink called ““Aila”.
3. Sel Roti
Sel Roti is a famous sweet ring shaped dish mostly prepared during Tihar. It is a rich dish prepared by deep frying sweetened rice flour. Sel Rotis are found in local eateries and now available in some of the famous departmental stores in the cities.
4. Chatamari
Chatamari, a must try delicacy of Nepal, is referred as Newari pizza by many foreigners. Chatamari is made from rice floor, the rice crepe is topped with minced meat, egg and seasoned with vegetables.
5. 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.
6. Momo cha
Momo or MoMo Cha (in Newar communities) dumpling is a famous food in Nepal. Momo are bite sized dumplings filled with seasoned stuffing. Although the dish is said to be originated from Tibet the dish has highly evolved with Newari seasoning to suit the Nepali palate. 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.)
7. Puwa
Puwa is regarded as pure food and is usually served during sacred rituals and Puja. Puwa is a sweet dish prepared with rice flour, butter and sugar. It can be eaten on its own or served with warm milk.
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