Kathmandu, also known as the “City of Temples,” is the city of art and timeless culture. Here you can appreciate the medieval art and architecture in every nook and cranny of the city. And this is the very reason why many tourists love Kathmandu, notwithstanding the other side of Kathmandu- pollution and over-population.
When we talk about art, Food in Kathmandu is art too. How? That’s your question. Right? Well, for this, you will have to try some amazing food items in Kathmandu. From Dal Bhat to Yomari (Yamari) to Momo, every food item you try comes from a particular culture and lifestyle.
Dal Bhat, a traditional meal from Indian Subcontinent, is the national food of Nepal. Yomari comes from the Newari community, while Momo is Tibetan-influenced popular food in Kathmandu. These three meals are must-try foods in Kathmandu. That said, I have top 5 Nepali foods you must try in Kathmandu.
Table of Contents
Must Try foods in Kathmandu
Dal Bhat
Dal Bhat refers to a traditional food of greater consumption in the greater regions of Nepal, Bangladesh and India. Due to ease of eating, availability of ingredients, and historical existence, Dal Bhat has been the staple diet of most Nepalese since birth. Bhat refers to steamed/boiled rice.
Dal is a cooked lentil soup seasoned with herbs and assorted Masalas (spices). Sprinkled with herbs and spices such as coriander, garam masala, cumin and turmeric, these can be eaten with onion, garlic, ginger, chilli, tomato or tamarind. Dal Bhat is always accompanied by Curry (vegetable or non-vegetarian) -a mix of available seasonal vegetables, such as cauliflower, battered broccoli, cabbage, potatoes, soybeans, etc.
Momo
When we talk about food in Nepal, Momo comes on top of the list. Momo is the dumplings that are steamed over some soup broth. Momo shops are almost in every corner of the city, whether in hotels or streets.
We must say that there is hardly any soul who leaves Nepal without trying momo, the menu of every hotel basically serves momo as a must and quintessential food in Nepal. Well, in general, it costs about 1$ to 2$, the price may vary from hotel to hotel. You can opt for Buff, Chicken and Veg momo in Kathmandu, among which Chicken momo is expensive, Buff with medial price and Veg momo is the cheapest momo.
Chow mein
Chow mein the Chinese food is a stir-fried noodle, chow meaning “stir-fried” and mein meaning “noodles.” Chow mein is yet another popular food in Kathmandu and throughout Kathmandu valley. Most Nepali people eat chow mein as their daily diet in Lunch, also as an alternative option to Mo: Mo.
Chow mein in Kathmandu is served in the same variant as that of Momo: Veg Chow mein, Buff Chow mein, and Chicken Chow mein. It is served in the majority of hotels, eatery, and restaurants in Kathmandu. It won’t cost you more than 2$ if you choose to eat Chicken Chow mein.
Sekuwa
Sekuwa literally means roasted meat in wood fire. Sekuwa is the Nepali bbq meat, roasted while the meat is still raw, blended with herbs and spice to add taste to the meat. Sekuwa can be made with pork, buff, chicken or mutton. It is a popular food, especially in Kathmandu and Dharan. You can simply ask for the meat only or meat with a mixture of beaten rice, cucumber, carrot, and spicy pickles if available.
Choila
Choila is a popular Newari dish, a spiced up and neatly grilled buffalo meat, which is prepared by steaming the meat, then frying and finally adding necessary ingredients. At the very first glance of Choila, it looks spicy enough to water your mouth and goes best with beaten rice. Choila might not be served in every hotel or restaurant in Kathmandu; it is mostly found in Newari hotels.
