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Kathmandu, Nepal

Top food to try in Kathmandu

6 dishes to eat in Kathmandu, what is in them, and where they belong.

Last updated 2026-08-11

1. Momos

Momos
Photo: Yam B Chhetri · CC0 · source

Steamed or fried dumplings with a tomato-sesame dipping sauce.

2. Dal bhat

Dal bhat
Photo: John Pavelka · CC BY 2.0 · source

Lentils, rice, vegetable curry and pickle, refilled until you stop — the trekking staple.

3. Newari khaja set

Newari khaja set
Photo: KafleG · CC0 · source

Beaten rice with buffalo, soybeans and pickles, eaten with local rice spirit.

4. Thukpa

Thukpa
Photo: CS Sharada Prasad · CC BY 2.0 · source

Tibetan noodle soup, the thing to eat when the temperature drops.

5. Sel roti

Sel roti
Photo: goodiesfirst · CC BY 2.0 · source

Ring-shaped fermented rice bread, fried, eaten at festivals and breakfast.

6. Masala chai

Masala chai
Photo: goblinbox_(queen_of_ad_hoc_bento) · CC BY 2.0 · source

Milk tea with cardamom and ginger, sold from thermoses on every corner.

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