Not only the scenic natural beauty and exotic culture, but tours in Nepal also offer you the opportunity to taste the local Nepali food with a unique flavor. In tourist areas such as Kathmandu, Thamel, Patan, and Pokhara, you can find several western restaurants and other restaurants that offer Indian food, Chinese food, Italian food, Japanese food, Korean food, and many more. When trekking to the Himalayas, you usually get to taste Nepalese food there. It will be great for you if you know about Nepal's local food and restaurants before heading on your trip to Nepal.
To give you an idea about local food and restaurants in Nepal, I have mentioned some introductions and descriptions relating to Nepal's local food and restaurants.
Local Nepali food
Because of the geographic connection, Nepalese food is highly influenced by Indian and Tibetan cuisine. Nepali cuisine is not only about its rich taste, but it also reflects the wide variety of cultures and traditions. Some of the common ingredients used in Nepali food are; potatoes, tomatoes, chilies, pepper, garlic, ginger, cumin, mustard oil, and lentils. If you are interested, you can taste local Nepalese food in restaurants in Nepal.
Some of the popular local Nepali foods are:-
Daal Bhat Tarkari
Daal Bhat Tarkari is a meal eaten by all the Nepali people throughout the country. Generally, Nepalese people eat Daal Bhat and Tarkari twice per day. Daal is a soup made of lentils and spices and is served along with the boiled grains called Bhat and a vegetable curry. Vegetable curry, known as Tarkari, is a mix of different vegetables that add spices and curry powder.
In most trekking to the Himalayas, such as Everest Base Camp Trek, Annapurna Base Camp Trek, etc., you will eat Daal Bhat and Tarkari.
Newari Dish
Another popular dish among tourists is the Newari dish. The rice will be pushed into a sheet and kept on a plate made of leaves. The food is served with some side dishes such as potato curry, bacon, and dried beans, making the food more tasty and savory.
Momo
Momo is one of the delicious cuisines which every Nepali people love.
Momo is a dumpling made from dough and is usually filled with minced meat and vegetables, herbs, and spices. You can eat steamed, fried, or Jhol momo as you wish. Commonly momo is served with achaar made from tomatoes, chili, sesame seed, and spices.
Chicken momo, buff momo, pork momo, and vegetable momo are some of the variety of momo found in Nepali restaurants. This popular dish is served not only in the restaurant but also on the street stall. Momo is famous street food in Nepal. For those in Nepal for any purpose, Momo is a must-try food item of Nepalese cuisine.
Thukpa
Thukpa is a hot noodle soup cooked along with meat and vegetables. You can also eat Thukpa without adding meat if you are a vegetarian. The hot noodle soup seasoned with vegetables and meat is the perfect dish to warm up your body during winter. The taste is fantastic.
Gundruk
Gundruk is a sun-dried and fermented vegetable leaf that takes Nepali food to the next level. Once you try this, you will love the taste of Gundruk. Gundruk is slightly sour and tangy with a unique and excellent flavor. You can eat achaar as well as a soup of Gunduruk. Both give you fantastic taste.
Aloo Tama
It is another must-try Nepalese dish. It is a type of curry that contains a unique sour taste. Aloo means ‘potato,’ and Tama means ‘Bamboo Shoots.’ Aloo Tama is famous mainly in the Newari culture. If you want to have the best taste of Aloo Tama, just enter one of the Newari Restaurants and enjoy the taste.
Katamari
One of the authentic Newari dishes, Chatamari, is made from thin rice batter and topped with minced meat or vegetables with spices. The dish is served with fresh tomato pickle. It is often referred to as Newari Pizza.
Jujudhau (Yoghurt)
Jujudhau refers to the King of Yoghurt in the Newari language. The dish is delicious and creamy. The secret behind the taste of Jujudhau is that it is cultured in a clay pot which helps to evaporate excess moisture making Jujudhau more creamy. Further addition of aromatic spices such as cardamom enhances its overall taste. The dish was originated in Bhaktapur and loved by all national and international tourists.
Tour in Nepal offers you the opportunity to taste local food, and a restaurant in Nepal serves you local Nepali food and international dishes. The two most popular tourist destination in Nepal, Kathmandu, and Pokhara, have several western restaurants that usually provides tourist-friendly menus.
Some of the famous restaurants in Nepal are:
Bhojan Griha
Bhojan Griha is one of the finest and largest Restaurants in Kathmandu Valley. Built over the 150-year-old architectural building in Dillibazar, it specializes in Newari cuisine. The incredible hospitality and standardized architecture allure visitors to have food in this restaurant.
Florid Garden Restaurant
Florid Garden Restaurant is located in the serene area of Thamel and is just 5km far from the Tribhuvan International Airport. The restaurant has been offering excellent service and a warm welcome to travelers worldwide for years. In 2016 the restaurant was redecorated with brand new modern facilities. The warm hospitality, good service, delicious cuisine, and peaceful garden entice travelers to stay in this pleasant location.
Nepali Chulo
It is an excellent place to have Nepali cuisine and cultural dance and shows. Eating Local Nepali food and watching cultural dance gives you a fantastic experience. The beautiful ambiance of the restaurant and traditional Nepali food is something one would not want to miss when in Kathmandu. The restaurant was built in the beautifully restored former Rana Palace in Lazimpat.
Rox Restaurant
The Rox Restaurant serves traditional home-style South European cuisine within the Hyatt Hotel.
Yangling Tibetan Restaurant
The restaurant is widely popular for its best momo in the town. The restaurant is run by a Tibetan family and is located on Saath Ghumti Thamel Kathmandu. Along with delicious momos, the restaurant also serves traditional Nepalese dumplings stuffed with meat, cheese, or vegetables, hot noodle soup with vegetables and meat in it, and tasty Tibetan butter tea.
ORK2
The restaurant is located on Mandala Street in Thamel. It is an excellent place for lunch or dinner. ORK2 is run by Israelites and serves only vegetarian and veg dishes.
What should you know?
Usually, drinking water from the tap is not safe. It is recommended to drink bottled water which is safe, cheap in price, and easy to find. Also, it is better not to drink soft drinks that contain ice inside because the ice in the glass may have been made from tap water.
