Staple Dishes and Main Foods

• Lentil Soup with Rice (dal bhat): A daily staple for Nepalis, the dish includes lentil soup, curry vegetables, and pickles, all of which can be refilled for free. A portion costs around 250–500 Nepalese Rupees.
• Dumplings (momo): Either boiled or fried, these are typically filled with water buffalo or chicken. A serving usually costs 150–350 rupees and is the most popular street snack.
• Newari Platter (Newari khaja set): Includes rice flakes, stir-fried beans, dried meat, and pickles, served with a strong distilled rice liquor, offering a unique taste.
• Tibetan Noodle Soup (thukpa): A Tibetan-style noodle soup commonly found in northern and mountainous regions, often served with yak meat or vegetables.
• Rice Ring (sel roti): A sweet, ring-shaped fried rice bread commonly eaten during festivals or as a breakfast item.

Desserts and Drinks

• Yak Yogurt (juju dhau): A specialty of Bhaktapur, thick and sweet, sold in clay pots.
• Nepali Tea (chiya): Tea with ginger and spices, a standard offering at teahouses and on trekking trails.
• Butter Tea: Common in northern mountain areas, this salty tea made with butter and salt helps keep you warm and alert.
• Nepali Beer and Local Liquor: Beer brands like Everest are light and easy to drink, while the mountains also offer locally brewed rice wine.

Where to Eat and Tips

• Kathmandu’s Thamel District: The most concentrated area for restaurants, offering everything from local food to Western and Tibetan cuisine.
• Lakefront in Pokhara: Lakeside restaurants and cafés are perfect for a relaxing meal with views.
• Trekking Route Teahouses: Menus are simple, mainly featuring dal bhat, fried noodles, and noodle soups. Prices tend to increase with altitude.
• For street snacks, choose stalls with quick turnover. Opt for hot food and drink sealed bottled or purified water.
• Most Nepali restaurants don’t add service charges—the bill is final. Tipping is optional.