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10 recipes · Nepal

Nepalese kitchen

10 Nepalese recipes you can cook at home, from Aloo Tama (Potato and Bamboo Shoot Curry), Chicken Momo (Nepalese Dumplings) and Chicken Sekuwa to Kheer (Nepalese Rice Pudding).

10 recipes

About Nepalese food

The Nepalese kitchen

Rice, lentils, vegetables and sharp achar anchor many meals in Nepal, while wheat noodles and steamed dumplings bring other textures to the table. Ginger, garlic, cumin and coriander season broths and fillings; toasted sesame can turn lemon juice and spices into a creamy dressing without dairy. Food varies across regions and communities.

Dal bhat is a flexible meal built around lentils and rice, with vegetables and relishes alongside. Momo need juicy filling and thin, well-sealed wrappers, while thukpa benefits from noodles cooked separately from the broth. Keep the acidic or spicy accompaniment distinct so each person can balance a bowl as they eat.

Questions, answered

What is dal bhat?

Dal bhat is a meal centered on lentils and cooked rice, often served with vegetables, achar and other accompaniments. The components and seasonings vary by household and region.

What are Nepalese momo filled with?

Fillings can include buffalo, chicken, other meats or vegetables. Finely chopped aromatics help keep the filling juicy, and a tomato or sesame-based achar is a common accompaniment.

Is Nepalese food the same as Indian food?

There are shared ingredients and techniques, but Nepal has its own regional and community cooking traditions. Dumplings, Himalayan noodle soups, fermented vegetables and distinct relishes are part of that range.

Can I cook Nepalese food without specialty ingredients?

Many meals use ordinary rice, lentils, vegetables and spices. Some dishes depend on ingredients such as fermented bamboo shoots or timur; use a stated substitute and expect a different flavor.

What Nepalese dishes can I make at home?

Start with Aloo Ko Achar (Nepalese Potato Salad), Aloo Tama (Potato and Bamboo Shoot Curry), Bhatmas Sandheko (Spiced Soybean Salad), Chatamari (Nepalese Rice Crepes) and Chicken Momo (Nepalese Dumplings). Every recipe here is written for a home kitchen, with substitutes for anything hard to find.

What's the quickest Nepalese recipe?

Bhatmas Sandheko (Spiced Soybean Salad), ready in 17 min.