When you go trekking in Nepal, one of the best things you will experience is the local food. Nepal’s food is simple, delicious, and made with fresh ingredients.
As you hike through those gorgeous mountains and valleys, there’s a big variety of delicious foods to feast on and you’ll stay super energized and healthy while enjoying all this beauty and activity around you.
Whether you are trekking to Everest Base Camp, Langtang, or Annapurna, you will get to enjoy traditional Nepali meals that are easy to prepare and full of flavors.
1. Dal Bhat (Rice and Lentil Soup)
Dal Bhat is the staple food in Nepal and is widely available on trekking routes. It consists of steamed rice (Bhat) served with lentil soup (Dal). The soup is made by gently boiling lentils in a pot with spices like turmeric, cumin and ginger.
Dal Bhat is often served with side dishes such as pickles (achar) and sometimes vegetables or meat (chicken, goat, or buffalo). It’s a hearty and nourishing meal, really filling—perfect to refuel after a long day of walking.
Dal Bhat is also known for being served as “Dal Bhat Power, 24 Hour, meaning it can give you the energy to trek for an entire day. The meal is served in almost every teahouse along the trekking routes in Nepal.
2. Momo (Dumplings)
Momo are a popular snack during treks in Nepal. These dumplings are filled with meat or vegetables and then steamed or fried. The filling typically includes ingredients like minced meat, onions, and spices.
Momo are served with a spicy dipping sauce, which adds an extra kick to the flavor. They are easy to eat and a great option for a quick snack while you rest during the trek.
Momo are especially common up high in Nepal where people use local things for making them. They are affordable and can be found in most teahouses.
3. Thukpa (Noodle Soup)
Thukpa is a traditional Nepali noodle soup that is both warm and filling. It is made with noodles, vegetables, and a tasty broth. Some recipes for Thukpa come with some pretty tasty additions of meat like chicken or yak too.
The soup is flavored with ginger, garlic, and spices, making it a comforting dish, especially in the cold mountain air. Thukpa is a great meal for both lunch and dinner and is available in almost all teahouses during your trek. You will find this a lot in Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek.
It’s a light and nourishing dish that helps you to stay fully hydrated and gives you power and energy for that long journey ahead.
4. Chapati and Curries
Chapati, a type of flatbread, is another popular food during trekking in Nepal. It is often served with curries made from vegetables, lentils, or meat.
The curries come in all sorts of heat levels but trust me, they’re always bursting with flavor. The chapati is a great scoop for curries and this is a perfect lunch or a cozy dinner.
Chapatis with curry is a genuinely energetic dish that keeps you up for miles of trekking. Warm and cozy these little flatbread discs and creamy curry soup are a super boost to your energy. It’s a great option when you’re looking for something different from rice-based dishes.
5. Fried Rice and Noodles
If you’re craving something familiar, fried rice or fried noodles are common meals in Nepalese teahouses. These yummy dishes use rice or noodles, and they’re stir fried with likes of veggies, eggs, chicken or pork too.
The meal is easy to prepare and is a good source of carbohydrates to fuel your trek. You find fried rice or noodles at almost every teahouse, especially up high where they are super quick and easy to whip up.
6. Tibetan Bread and Butter Tea
Along every trail you take, there are lovely teahouses tended by Tibetan families who love to feed you tasty Tibetan butter tea and bread along with stories of this beautiful land. This bread is hearty, with a touch of sweetness that makes it irresistibly delicious. Most people chap them up with butter or they spread jam or drizzle honey on them. It’s comforting and familiar.
Butter tea, also known as “po cha,” is a traditional Tibetan drink made with tea, butter, and salt. It’s high in calories, which helps trekkers keep their energy levels up in the cold, mountainous environment.
While butter tea might be something of a hard mouthful for some, it’s an interesting experience and an essential drink when you’re visiting Tibet.
7. Snacks and Sweets
On longer hikes, we’re talking about quick snacks to keep the energy going strong. In the teahouses, you will find a variety of energy snacks like chocolate bars, biscuits, and Nepali sweets such as “sel roti” (a type of doughnut) and “gundruk” (fermented leafy vegetables).
These snacks are easy to carry, provide a quick energy boost, and are perfect when you need a break during your trek.
8. Drinks and Hot Beverages
During a trek in Nepal, you can also enjoy a variety of drinks, especially hot beverages that keep you warm. Popular options include tea, coffee, and hot lemon drinks.
Most teahouses serve tea, which is a perfect way to warm up after a chilly day in the mountains. You can also find herbal teas including ginger tea which works wonders for digestion and really helps you get those sore muscles feeling better.
Drinking water is essential while trekking in Nepal. Since it’s important to stay hydrated at high altitudes, make sure you always carry water or buy bottled water along the way.