Star Delicacies of Different Himalayan Trekking Adventures
Nepal is an incredibly diversified country where, in each corner, you will be able to relish a wide variety of delicacies that represent unique norms, traditions, and cultures of that particular region. Similarly, during your Himalayan trekking adventures, depending on the region you have decided to explore, the menus of delightful and savory Himalayan food may slightly differ.
| Popular Trek in Nepalese Himalayas | Star Himalayan Food of Route |
| Everest Base Camp Trek | Daal Bhat, Sherpa Bread, Thukpa, Tsampa, Sherpa Stew, Shyaphale, Tingmo, Butter Tea, Rildok, Kur, Dhindo, Chapati etc |
| Annapurna Circuit Trek | Daal Bhat, Khapse, Gurung Bread, Tsampa, Dhindo, Gundruk, Yak Cheese, Fruit Pies, Thakali Set, Niuro, Mohi Chop, Sukuti, etc |
| Langtang Valley Trek | Daal Bhat, Thukpa, Gundruk, Sel Roti, Chhurpi, Sikarni, Khin, Sishnu Soup, Choila, Curry, Chapati, etc |
| Manaslu Circuit Trek | Daal Bhat, Momo (dumpling), Yak Cheese, Gundruk, Dhindo, Curry Thukpa, Tsampa, Chapati, Paratha etc |
| Kanchejunga Circuit Trek | Daal Bhat, Aloo Tama, Tsampa, Gundruk, Dhindo, Curry, Chowmin, Momo, Fruit Pie, Buckwheat Pancake, etc |
| Upper Mustang Trek | Daal Bhat, Gurung Bread, Finger Millet, Thakali Set, Sel Roti,, Sikarni, Butter Tea, Thukpa, Momo, Yak Steak, etc |
Most Popular Himalayan Food in Nepal
During your adventure to the Himalayas in Nepal, you will be able to taste a diverse range of Himalayan food that represents diverse cultures and ethnic groups. The food at the teahouses/lodges during the trekking adventures comprises traditional Nepali dishes, neighboring nations-inspired cultural dishes, and even tasty Western delicacies.
Here, we have created a list of some of the most popular Himalayan dishes that you should definitely try at least once during your trip.
Nepali Daal Bhat
You might have heard about the saying ‘Dal Bhat Power- 24 Hours’; if you were lost in a loop during that analogy, they were referring to this particular meal. This is one of the most well-balanced nutritious diets that is a national dish and is available throughout the country.
This nutritious meal plan basically comprises Daal- lentil soup, Bhat-steamed rice, and Tarkari- vegetables. So in overall, it is a wonderful combination of different ingredients and bursts with flavours. Besides the standard Daal Bhat Tarkari, it is also served with pickles, salad, and other sides that both enhance the looks and nutritional value of this incredible dish.
There is also an alternative meal option for Dal Bhat, and it is called ‘Dhindo.’ This thick porridge is generally prepared with fiber-rich ingredients like corn flour, buckwheat flour, or millet. Similarly to Dal Bhat, Dhindo is served with tasty side dishes and also tastes really good with the meat curries.
Chapati
Chapati, another tasty delicacy that is popular in the Himalayan region, is a staple food in the South Asian countries and originates from the Indian subcontinent. This flatbread is a popular delicacy in the Himalayan region in countries which is both filling and light, ideal to accompany long days of walk.
This traditional Indian dish is prepared with whole wheat flour, the flour is mixed with water and salt to form a dough. Then, it can be either cooked plain for people who want to avoid oily ingredients in the morning, or it can be cooked with oil and butter to give that crunchy outlook.
Chapati is a great breakfast dish with rich, nutritious values, and you can enjoy it with a hot cup of coffee or tea, like how it is done in the Indian subcontinent. However, if you want to spice up the taste, you can enjoy it with butter, honey, jam, side vegetables, and even sauce/pickles.
Momo
Momo, the tasty dumpling served with flavourful soup and spices, is one of the most popular lunch menus in the country. You will find this tasty dish in almost every part of the country, and one of the best things about ordering it is that the taste of the soup is not similar. The burst of flavor that you will feel inside your mouth will depend on the creation of the chef, there is no universal taste to this unique dish.
This popular dish in Nepal is prepared with minced meat, generally chicken, mutton, buff, and vegetables wrapped in a dough and steamed till cooked. There are also different variants of this dish available, like deep fried, cooked with soup, or just steamed to relish with savory spices and sauce.
During your Himalayan adventure, besides the round-shaped Nepali momo, the teahouses/lodges will also prepare the Tibetan-styled momos that are generally in a half-moon shape. The Tibetan momos in the mountains are also available in beef versions, which are prepared with minced yak meat.
Noodle (Chowmein)
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Another popular lunch item in Nepal, Chow mein is a delightful dish that is prepared with stir-fried noodles. Like Momo, this dish is also a popular menu in the street food culture of Nepal and is prepared throughout all eatery establishments in the country.
Chow Mein is prepared by stir-frying the boiled noodles and different species and herbs. The overall presentation and taste of this dish will depend on the ingredients the chef uses and the sauce/spice it is served with. Besides the vegetable ingredients, meat items like buff, chicken, pork, and shrimp are other optional highlights of this dish.
Sherpa Stew
Sherpa Stew, a.k.a Shyakpa or Sherpa Curry, is a warm delicacy that is suitable to keep the body warm during the exploration of the Himalayan region; it is a dish that you should not skip during your trip. This incredible dish that bursts with flavor is prepared using meat, vegetables, and savory spices. Thus, it has both nutritious and tongue-lingering aspects, which make it an absolute favorite during trekking adventures in Nepal.
This is a traditional dish in the Sherpa community that mostly resides in the mountains and is prepared by simmering the chunks of vegetables and meat in a pot. The ingredients are cooked slowly over low heat until they get tender, and the soup becomes flavorful.
The combination of all the nutritious ingredients that blend over time while preparing this meal creates a rich broth that gives a soulful taste and washes out weariness, keeping the body warm at the same time.
Thukpa
Similar to Shyakpa, Thukpa is a traditional Sherpa dish that is prepared with noodles, vegetables, meats, and tasty species. This heartwarming noodle dish has rich nutritious value and helps to keep your body warm at the colder altitudes.
During your exploration in the Himalayan region, you will find this rich-flavored nutritious dishe at every teahouse in the route. The restaurants in the city areas also prepare this healthy and tasty Sherpa traditional dish. Distinctive to its counterpart, Shyakpa, this Sherpa dish has more vegetable ingredients that make it vibrant and even more savory due to the burst of different kinds of flavors.
Thukpa, like Shyakpa, is prepared in a pot by simmering the noodles, vegetables, meat, and spices in low heat. It is made slightly spicier than others and gives that tingly feeling when you eat it hot, perfect for warming up your body in cold climatic conditions.
Shyaphale
Shyaphale is one of the tastiest Himalayan foods that is popular as a meat item in the Sherpa community. Due to its impeccable taste, this Sherpa cultural dish has become a widely-renowned delicacy in the country and is available in almost every restaurant.
Like Momo, this dish is also prepared with minced meat stuffing; however, instead of steaming, it is deep fried in the oil until it is light brown and crunchy. Shyaphale is prepared in a semi-circular shape and with different kinds of meats: chicken, buff, pork, etc.
This deep-fried crunchy dish is served hot and usually accompanied by tasty sauce and pickles. The taste of Shyaphale can differ depending on the spices used to marinate the minced meat before its creation and, of course, by the unique touches of the chef as well. You can enjoy this tasty Sherpa dish as an appetizer or snack during your Himalayan explorations.
Tingmo/ Tibetan Fluffy Bread
If you have ever done high-altitude trekking in the Everest region, then you understand the significance of this popular breakfast dish. Tingmo, also known as Tibetan Bread, is a popular breakfast option in the Everest region that you can enjoy instead of toast or regular bread.
Tingmo is prepared with the wheat flour dough, and it is steamed till it gets fluffy. Although the technique for preparing this tasty delight is similar to the preparation of Momo, these fluffy breads do not have any filling inside them. They are just plain, light dishes that are served as breakfast alongside vegetables, sauce, and pickles.
This light Sherpa community delight is light in nature and accommodates a long day of exploration thanks to the nutritious values of the side dishes. Tingmo also tastes really amazing if you just want to savor it with tea/coffee, butter, and honey.
Kur/ Tibetan Bread
Like Tingmo, there is also another form of Tibetan bread, known as Kur, and it is also a popular Himalayan food for breakfast. Kur is a staple meal in the Sherpa community and is flat and round in shape. Unlike Tingmo, this Tibetan Bread is prepared by frying flour dough in a pan.
The mixture of white flour dough and baking powder gives it a crunchy texture and makes it fluffy. You can enjoy this popular dish in the Himalayan region as a breakfast or snack during your adventures. Although this amazing Tibetan delicacy tastes really good just by itself, eating it with jam, butter, honey, or dipping sauce really enhances the taste and adds nutritional value to your meal.
Tsampa
If you are taking part in the Himalayan adventures, Tsampa is a breakfast dish that you definitely have to try at least once. This traditional Sherpa dish is prepared with roasted barley flour and is a staple dish among the Sherpa communities.
Tsampa is generally known for its amazing taste and the high nutritious value that fuels your body for long-haul treks in the Himalayas. In the traditional way, the roasted barley flour is mixed with butter tea and yak cheese, which then gives it a dense dough texture rich in nutritious value.
You can also relish this incredible and tasty staple dish dry, or you can enjoy the butter dough with savory vegetable dishes, sauce, or other side pickles.
Fried Rice
Fried rice is a popular Himalayan food that is great in taste and is also filling. This tasty Himalayan delicacy is generally known for the burst of flavors of different herbs and spices and is a popular alternative for those who wanna explore other staple food options in Nepal besides Dal Bhaat.
Unlike the traditional Dal Bhaat, this dish is prepared by mixing different vegetables, spices, meat, and sauces together to give a unique blend of taste. The ingredients for this meal are stir-fried until they turn light brown and are served hot. You can also enjoy them with sauce or spices and additional seasonings if you want to extend the horizon of the flavors.
Chicken and Buff Steak
If you are a meat lover and are concerned about whether you will be able to enjoy complete meat-based dishes during your Himalayan trip, fret not; there are several steak options available at the teahouses/lodges.
You will be able to enjoy the chicken and buff steaks that are bursting with the flavors of Nepali species during your Himalayan excursion. Although there are not beef options available at the teahouses/lodges as the majority of the population is Hindu, you can still enjoy yak steaks that are fresh.
Aloo Tama
Aloo Tama is a Nepali stew dish that is popular in the Himalayan region. This is prepared with main ingredients like bamboo shoots, potatoes, and black-eyed peas; the species and seasoning are used as per the preference. This stew dish is rich in nutritious values and helps the body to keep warm; that’s why it is a beloved delicacy in the Himalayan region.
This tasty stew is prepared by simmering the ingredients with spices and herbs till they are well cooked and the flavors mix well with each other. Although in the hilly regions, this dish is enjoyed with steamed rice, you can also eat it with flatbread.
Tips and Considerations
Although Himalayan food is a delightful prospect for your journey in Nepal, you will have to consider a few things in this exhilarating exploration of the explosive burst of flavors. First of all, you have to be careful about your personal hygiene and the hygiene of the lodges/teahouses.
Instead of looking for cheaper food options, it will be safer to eat at a clean establishment that adheres to proper sanitization and hygienic protocols. You also need to take care of personal hygiene and sanitize or wash your hands with bacteria-killing handwash before enjoying your meal.
If you are trekking to the Everest region, we do not recommend the chicken items as they are transported from the lower region and are generally frozen. In general, other meat items are also stored like that, so to stay on the safer side, we recommend you steer off the meat option at the high elevation points in your trip.
Also, if you have any kind of dietary restrictions or allergies to any kind of ingredients, inform your guide, who will then relay it to the kitchen staff. Then, the chef will prepare the meals to accommodate your needs, best to their capabilities.
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Are Vegan and Vegetarian Options Available?
Yes, there is still a large number of vegetarians in Nepal, and almost every eatery establishments prepare vegetarian and non-vegetarian meal options. So you can easily request to prepare the meat-free items for you.
Similarly, if you are a vegan and want to exclude certain ingredients from your meal during your trip to the Himalayas, you can also put a request to chefs or if it is a guided package, your guide will make the request on your behalf.
However, for dishes that are entirely based on meat items there might not be vegetarian/vegan alternatives available for them. Furthermore, during your adventures, besides the Himalayan food at the teahouses/lodges, you will also be able to enjoy a wide range of international and continental menus.
Some of the most popular international menus at the teahouses are Pizza, Sandwich, Pasta, Spaghetti/Noodles, Muesli, Cornflakes, Potato Fry, Oat, Pudding, Porridge, etc. So, besides the Himalayan food options that are available in vegetarian/vegan options, you will also be able to enjoy the Western dishes as your preference.
