The cultural and geographical diversity of the Himalayan country of Nepal makes it one of the interesting travel destinations in the world. Besides the world’s highest Mount Everest and other towering peaks, there are many aspects that describe the uniqueness of this land. This includes natural and cultural heritages, rooted deeply among the diverse diversities of the demographics. For travelers and tourists,

Food and Beverages are an essential part of their vacation as in recent years people are enthusiastic about getting a taste of different food cultures. Likewise, Nepal also has some distinct food and beverages typical to different ethnic and cultural groups of people which will definitely be a delicacy to fellow tourists. Each ethnic community has its own traditional food menu, alluring travelers and tourists to explore it. However, the type of food and beverages depend upon other various factors as well including ethnicity, geography, weather, and climatic conditions.

For example, the food menus of the people living in the mountainous regions are significantly different from that of the people living in the hilly and the tropical southern plains. With such a diverse range of demographics, the type of food people consumes also varies nationwide. Thus categorizing the types of food and beverages can sometimes be tricky; however, we’ve tried to incorporate the most popular and exotic items are as follows.

The main staple food of Dal Bhat is a balanced diet incorporating all the nutrients like carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, fats, and minerals: Dal Bhat is essentially the most popular staple food of Nepal. Rice, lentil soup, vegetable curry, non-veg curry, pickles, and salads are the main ingredients of this cuisine. It is a staple diet of most Nepalese people living around the country including all three geographical regions in Nepal. And the fun part is, that the veggies and the non-veggies items in the menu are subject to change depending on what crops are suitable to grow in a particular region.

Dhido: Pronounced as “Dheedo”, this food combined with Gundruk (fermented green leafy vegetables) is the national food of Nepal. It is a thick porridge-like item made up of flour of various grains like maize, millet, barley, or wheat. Formerly it was the main diet of people living in the hilly and mountainous regions of Nepal. However, as the import and production of rice crops increased, it is on the verge of turning into a delicacy and can be an alternative for rice in Dal Bhat. Besides, it is regarded as a healthier food compared to rice and people from rural areas still use Dhido as a staple diet, of course, combined with curries and pickles.

Roti (flattened bread): People indigenous to the southern plains of the Terai region prefer Roti as their staple diet, as their culture and ancestry are identical to that of the Northern part of India. The main crop used are wheat and corn, however, is to be combined with vegetables and non-veg products. In the regions of higher elevations, Roti is mostly used for snacks instead of a staple diet.

Popular Fast Foods in Nepal: As the world is getting busier day after day, the craze for grabbing fast food is becoming common nowadays. There are various food items that are gaining popularity among food enthusiasts. Among which MoMo is one most popular food in the cities. Similar to Dumplings, MoMo’s are round or crescent-shaped balls of dough with minced meat and vegetable fillings. The meats used are usually of Water Buffalo; however pork, chicken, and mutton are also popular. Momos are one of the most versatile food items found from street vendors to five-star rated hotel restaurants.

Another famous fast food is Chowmein, fried long noodles with some vegetables, meat or egg similar to Spaghetti. Noodles are dipped in boiling water for preparation and then drained, which will be fried as per the order. In case, you are not that fond of fried noodles and prefer soupy ones instead then Thukpa is what you should check out. It is a soupy noodle dish with vegetables or meat with tasty spices.

Other popular fast food items include Samosa a fried tetrahedron-shaped dough with spiced potato, peas, and other beans as fillings. Sel Roti is ring-shaped deep-fried rice bread, popular as a delicacy during festivals.

Foreign Influence in Food culture: The influence of foreign foods in Nepal has been significant in recent decades, with information being accessible on the tips of fingers. The Nepalese food industry is adapting foreign cuisines swiftly including continental, western, Chinese, Korean, Mexican, Italian, and others. In the major cities, the number of Hotels and Restaurants serving foreign dishes can be found everywhere, ranging from budget to luxury menus.

Several chains of international food brands like McDonald's and KFCs are now open in Kathmandu and Pokhara city as they have become an important delicacy for the Nepalese people. Thus, if you are traveling to Nepal and you are concerned about trying new dishes alien to the one from your home country, then you should not be worried about it. As you can have the feeling of being in your home while exploring the beautiful Himalayan country.

Besides, major trekking and hiking destinations in the Himalayas serve from a wide variety of menus including food native to your origin.

Tea and coffee are some of the popular drinks consumed in Nepal. The Himalayan country of Nepal is one of the finest tea producers in the world and exports to first-world countries like Europe and the United States.

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several imported brands of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are also being widely popular, besides their high costs. French wines, Russian Vodkas, Mexican Tequila, American Whiskeys, and German Beers are among some of the major imports.

Exotic Ethnic Dishes Newari Cuisine: Newar ethnic groups are indigenous people inhabiting the low mid-hills including Kathmandu and Pokhara valleys. Newari dishes are most popular in the Kathmandu valley and comprise a wide range of spicy foods including meats of Buffalo, Chicken, Duck, and mutton. Chhoila is a special delicacy for nonveg spicy food lovers, as they are prepared by roasting marinated meat. Samaya Baji is a popular set of dishes usually consisting of beaten rice, with different vegetarian and non-vegetarian ingredients. Restaurants serving a wide range of Newari dishes are found all over the Kathmandu valley. For beverages, a liquor made out of fermented rice Chhyang is the most popular among the Newari community and is offered during festivals, family gatherings, and other ceremonies. Besides, Juju Dhau (King of Yoghurt) is popular in Bhaktapur, Kathmandu, and Patan, with their own distinct process for making and is mostly served in clay pots.