One of the things besides mountains, and Buddhism, that Nepal is famous for is its diversity in food. Culturally rich, Nepal can surprise you with mind-blowing tastes of food with unique recipes and ingredients. The food is less spicy and healthy as compared to the rest of the subcontinent.
Having steamed rice, lentils, vegetable curry, and other six to seven different varieties, Thakali Khana is the national dish of Nepal. If you are tired of consuming meat, you will be fascinated with the vegetarian recipes in Nepal many families in Nepal are vegetarian. Still, it does not mean meat items are rarely available here!
Nepal, known as an agricultural country, grows several kinds of crops. People in rural areas mostly feed on unique sorts of meals that include barley, millet, maize, paddy, and wheat as the main dish, along with self-grown unique vegetables and meat of local rooster, buffalo, goats, and pigs. Gundruk is one of the unique preserved foods, popular among locals and tourists. Several families prepare their local alcohol like Chhyang, Jaad, and wines of rhododendron, which have exceptional taste.
When it comes to exciting and diverse food, Newari people, indigenous people of Kathmandu, have a variety of local cuisines. Samayabaji, auspicious blessed food, is their main dish with several items like Samay (puffed rice), Baji (beaten rice), black soybean, fried fish, boiled egg, etc. which is served to god before consuming. Other popular Newari cuisines are Yomari (sweet dish), Chatamari (Newari Pizza), Baraa Chhoila (marinated broiled meat), etc. along with unique liquors.
Momo, Nepali dumplings, is the most common snack in Nepal, available in almost every corner of the country. Other typical Nepali dishes include Sukuti (preserved meat), Thukpa (soupy noodles), Dhindo (cooked buckwheat), Sel-roti (traditional donut-shaped roti), etc.
Nepali foods come in different flavors and tastes from diverse cultures and societies. Daal-bhaat-tarkari is lunch and dinner of most families in Nepal that is healthy and balanced. Nepal is also rich in several medicinal herbs. Yarshagumba, available above 4000 m only in several mountain regions of Nepal, is the most popular and exported medicinal plant. If you are a foodie, Nepal can provide you enormous food hunting places with surprises at every corner!