Dal Bhat
Often eaten: Lunch and dinner
Known for: Throughout Nepal
Family meal
Photo: Bijaya2043 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
3 dishes to discover
Food of Nepal
Nepal has a rich and diverse food culture that is influenced by its geography and ethnic diversity. Nepali food often combines flavors from India, Tibet, and China, resulting in a unique blend of tastes. Many dishes use spices and herbs like cumin, coriander, and turmeric. Eating together with family is important, and many dishes are served with rice or lentils.
Featured Dishes
Meal Culture
In Nepal, meals are a time for families to come together. People often eat sitting on the floor and share food from large plates. It's important to finish everything on your plate, as wasting food is frowned upon.
Eating Etiquette
Always remember to wash your hands before a meal. Use your right hand for eating, passing dishes, and handling shared food.
When People Eat It
Momo
Often eaten: Snack or light meal
Known for: Introduced by Tibetan communities in Nepal.
SnackStreet food
Sel Roti
Often eaten: During festivals and special occasions
Known for: Hilly regions of Nepal
FestivalTraditional
Make It Yourself
👩🍳 Cook together! Always ask a grown-up to help with hot or sharp steps.
Dal Bhatदाल भात
Makes 4 servingsIngredients
- 2 cups (370 g)Rice
- 1 cup (200 g)Lentils (dal)
- 1 tspTurmeric
- 1 tbsp totalGarlic, ginger, cumin
- 2 tbspButter or oil
- to serveCurried vegetables
How to Make It
- 1Cook the rice until fluffy.
- 2Rinse the lentils and simmer them with the turmeric and water until soft, about 20 minutes.
- 3Ask a grown-up to sizzle the garlic, ginger, and cumin in butter.
- 4Stir the sizzled spices into the lentils to make a flavorful dal.
- 5Scoop rice onto each plate and ladle the dal beside it.
- 6Add curried vegetables on the side — Nepal's everyday meal.
Momoम:म
Makes 24 momosIngredients
- 24 wrappersRound dumpling wrappers
- 1/2 lb (225 g)Ground chicken or vegetables
- 1/2 onion, 2 clovesOnion and garlic
- 1 tbspGinger, grated
- 1 tbspSoy sauce
- 2 tbspCilantro
How to Make It
- 1Mix the meat, onion, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and cilantro into a filling.
- 2Place a spoonful of filling in the center of each wrapper.
- 3Pleat and pinch the edges to close each dumpling into a little pouch.
- 4Lightly oil a steamer basket so they don't stick.
- 5Ask a grown-up to steam the momos for about 12 minutes, until cooked through.
- 6Serve hot with a tomato-sesame dipping sauce.
Sel Rotiसेल रोटी
Makes 10 ringsIngredients
- 2 cups (320 g)Rice flour
- 1 bananaMashed banana
- 1/2 cup (100 g)Sugar
- 1/2 cup (120 ml)Milk
- 1/2 tspCardamom
- 3 cups (700 ml)Oil, for frying
How to Make It
- 1Mix the rice flour, mashed banana, sugar, milk, and cardamom into a smooth, thick batter.
- 2Let the batter rest for 1 hour.
- 3Ask a grown-up to heat the oil in a deep pan to about 350°F (175°C).
- 4Carefully pour the batter into the oil in a circle to make a ring shape.
- 5Fry until golden, turning once, then lift out and drain.
- 6Enjoy these sweet rice rings during Nepali festivals.
Vocabulary
While Nepali food has similarities to Indian and Tibetan cuisines, it features unique spices and cooking styles that make it special.