List of Nepalese dishes facts for kids
Nepali cuisine refers to the delicious food eaten in Nepal. Nepal is a country with many different cultures and landscapes. This means there are lots of unique foods based on different ethnic groups and local climates. However, one meal is eaten all over the country: dal-bhat-tarkari.
Dal is a warm soup made from lentils and spices. It's served over boiled grain, called bhat, which is usually rice. Alongside this, you'll find tarkari, a tasty vegetable stew. People often add small amounts of very spicy chutney or pickle (achaar). These can be fresh or fermented and come in thousands of varieties! Sometimes, sliced lemon (kagati) and fresh green chili (hariyo khursani) are also served. Dhindo is another traditional Nepali food. Nepali food also has influences from West and Central Asian cooking.
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Popular Nepali Dishes to Try
Nepal has many amazing dishes. Here are some of the most famous ones:
- Dal bhat: This is the most common meal, made of lentil soup (dal), rice (bhat), and vegetable curry (tarkari).
- Momo: These are delicious dumplings, often filled with meat or vegetables. They are steamed or fried and served with a dipping sauce.
- Dhindo: A traditional thick porridge made from corn or millet flour. It's often eaten with dal or curry.
- Sel roti: A ring-shaped, sweet, crispy bread made from rice flour. It's especially popular during festivals.
- Thukpa: A warm and comforting noodle soup, popular in the mountainous regions. It often contains vegetables and meat.
- Chatamari: Sometimes called "Nepali pizza," this is a thin rice flour crepe topped with minced meat, egg, or vegetables.
- Gundruk: Fermented leafy green vegetables, often used to make a sour and flavorful soup called Gundruk ko Jhol.
- Chiura: This is flattened rice, often eaten as a quick snack with curry or other side dishes.
- Chhurpi: A hard cheese made from yak or cow milk. It can be chewed like gum or used in curries.
- Sekuwa: Grilled meat, usually lamb, goat, or chicken, marinated in spices. It's a popular snack or appetizer.
Tasty Curries in Nepal
Curries are a big part of Nepali meals. They are usually served with rice or dhindo.
- Aloo kauli/gobi: A popular vegetarian curry made with potatoes (aloo) and cauliflower (kauli/gobi).
- Kukhurako masu: A flavorful Chicken spiced stew that is a favorite across Nepal.
- Gundruk ko Jhol: A unique sour soup made from fermented leafy greens. It's very healthy and full of flavor.
- Aloo Tama: A special curry made with potatoes and bamboo shoots. It has a distinct sour taste.
- Dal: The lentil soup that is a staple of almost every Nepali meal.
- Saag: Cooked green leafy vegetables, like spinach or mustard greens, often spiced simply.
Newa Cuisine: Food from Kathmandu Valley
The Newa people, who are the original inhabitants of the Kathmandu Valley, have their own special cuisine. It's known for its rich flavors and variety of dishes.
- Samay Baji: A traditional Newa platter with flattened rice, roasted meat, pickles, and other side dishes.
- Yomari: A sweet dumpling made of rice flour, shaped like a fig, and filled with molasses and sesame seeds. It's a festive treat.
- Choila: Spicy grilled buffalo meat, a very popular Newa appetizer.
- Dhau: Thick, creamy buffalo curd, often served as a dessert or with chiura.
Rajbanshi and Tharu Cuisine
Different ethnic groups in Nepal have their own unique dishes.
- Rajbanshi Cuisine: The Rajbanshi people, mainly from the eastern Terai region, have dishes like Bhakkha, a steamed rice flour cake.
- Tharu Cuisine: The Tharu people, from the Terai plains, are known for dishes like Ghonghi (snails cooked in spices) and Dhikri (steamed rice flour dumplings).
Nepali Drinks
Nepal offers a variety of refreshing and traditional drinks.
- Chiya: This is Nepali tea, often made with milk, sugar, and a mix of spices like ginger and cardamom. It's a popular warm drink.
- Mohi: A refreshing buttermilk drink, especially popular in the warmer regions.
- Nepali tea: Tea made from leaves grown in Nepal, known for its unique flavor.
- Tongba: A traditional alcoholic beverage made from fermented millet, often served in a bamboo mug with a straw. It's popular in the eastern hills.
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