Southern Asia
Food of Nepal
The 7 most iconic national dishes of Nepal — real photos, key ingredients and tasty facts behind every plate.
Asia
Dal bhat
Nepal’s everyday staple meal of steamed rice served with lentil soup and a changing array of sides. It is hearty, comforting, and balanced with savory, spiced, and tangy elements.
Did you know?
The phrase “dal bhat power, 24 hour” became famous among trekkers because this meal is considered ideal fuel for long days in the Himalayas.
Momo
These beloved Nepali dumplings are usually filled with minced meat or vegetables and served steamed or fried with a spicy dipping sauce. They are juicy, peppery, and one of the country’s most recognizable comfort foods.
Did you know?
Although linked to Tibetan dumplings, momo became so embedded in Nepal that they are now one of the country’s defining national foods.
Sel roti
A ring-shaped, deep-fried rice bread with a lightly crisp exterior and soft, chewy middle. It is mildly sweet and especially associated with festivals and family celebrations.
Did you know?
Sel roti is particularly important during Dashain and Tihar, when many Nepali households prepare large batches at home.
Thukpa
A warming noodle soup popular in Nepal’s Himalayan regions, made with broth, vegetables, and often meat. It tastes deeply savory and is especially comforting in cold mountain weather.
Did you know?
Thukpa reflects the strong cultural ties between Nepal’s mountain communities and the wider Himalayan culinary world.
Yomari
A traditional Newar steamed dumpling made from rice flour dough and filled with sweet molasses-like chaku or sesame mixtures. It has a soft, delicate shell and a rich, sweet center.
Did you know?
Yomari is central to the Newar festival Yomari Punhi, which celebrates the end of the rice harvest.
Choila
A Newar specialty of grilled meat, traditionally buffalo, tossed with mustard oil, chilies, and aromatic spices. It is smoky, fiery, and intensely savory.
Did you know?
Choila is one of the signature dishes of Newar cuisine, the historic urban food culture of the Kathmandu Valley.
Juju dhau
This famed Newar yogurt from Bhaktapur is exceptionally thick, creamy, and gently sweet. It is traditionally set in clay pots, which help develop its rich texture and flavor.
Did you know?
Its name means “king of curd” in the Newar language, and it is especially associated with the city of Bhaktapur.