For Felix and me, while we're fascinated by the culture and the sights of any place we travel to, if we're being very honest, the main aspect of all our holiday planning revolves around the food. Can you tell by looking at us?haha
But it's true, we find we learn so much about a place from their food culture, food habits and hospitality of a particular country. In Nepal, Felix and I ate like there was no tomorrow! There was such a variety of cuisines and options available that we were spoiled for choice.
So I decided I'd dedicate a whole post to the amazing food we ate in Nepal! Here are some of our most memorable eats there.
TINY CHINESE JOINT ON THE CORNER OF JP MARG, THAMEL
As soon as we checked in to our Hotel in the popular Thamel area of Kathmandu in the late afternoon, we had a quick wash, changed, sorted out our itinerary for the next day and got out to explore our surroundings and of course, see what was there to eat!
We encountered this small hole in the wall eating place nearby and were drawn to the patrons eating from extremely large steaming bowls of soup and drinking local beer.
When we stepped in the place, it was like any small joint you'd find in India, a little messy, slightly greasy but with the most amazing food smells you can imagine. Felix and I are adventurous about our food choices and have no qualms from eating at tiny joints and kiosks but if you're a someone who's very particular then this might not be the place for you but trust me, If you can get past it's essential dinginess ( I think it brings character!😄), the food was a treat!
The boys running the place spoke only Chinese and Nepali, but with hand gestures and the helpful large numbered menu which gives full descriptions of the items, we ordered a bowl of noodle soup and an extremely delicious meat preparation, both made with buff.
No, I haven't misspelled beef. Nepal is the worlds only Hindu kingdom and cow aka beef is completely banned here. BUT, you'll find buffalo is served everywhere and found for cheap. The Nepalese call it Buff.
We ordered the local Nepalese Gorkha beer to go with it our food and it was so potent and heady, that Felix and I were happily buzzed in minutes ( yay! no kids to worry about! haha) and enjoyed our food tremendously!
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| Spiced buff |
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| Very strong Gorkha Beer |
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| The delicious Buff Noodle Soup! |
NANI'S KITCHEN AT PADMA HOTEL IN BOUDHA
Nani's Kitchen is a higher end place inside of the Boudhanath Complex in Kathmandu. They're a rooftop restaurant ( as many restaurants are in Nepal!) and the decor, ambiance and view were all sensational here!
Alcohol is served and the food ranges from European to Traditional. I chose to have a full traditional Newari ( ethnic Nepalese) Thali along with my Caipiroshka.
It was very different for sure and we enjoyed exploring it.
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| The beautiful set up of the roof top restaurant |
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| Another Nepalese fav beer- Everest Beer! |
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| First course of my Thali |
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| Second course |
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| The very unusual Newari thali ( no cooked rice! gasp!) |
THE JAPANESE KITCHEN- KIZUNA IN THAMEL SQUARE
This was hands down the best meal I ate in Nepal! Thinking about it right now is making me hungry I promise you! Soooo Good!
Japanese kitchen Kizuna is a very small but highly highly rated open kitchen eatery ( few benches and tables placed outside) that served Japanese meals at unbelievable prices. If I could I would have eaten a lot more but the portions were so generous that it was impossible!
We had the set Pork Katsu meal and mixed Tempura ( Veggies and Prawn) and both were sooo freaking delicious. The tempura was light and crunchy , the generous pork katsu tender and juicy and the miso soup was perfect.
If this place was near home and at the same superb rates I'd eat there every day. No jokes.
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| Tempura and Miso Soup |
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| Pork Katsu |
OPEN BARBECUE STREET EATS NEAR FEWA LAKE, POKHARA
After we finished our Row boat experience at Fewa Lake, Felix and I took a long leisurely walk back to our Guesthouse. On the way, we were drawn by the delicious smells of an open barbeque.
The above sight greeted us on investigation!
There are little eateries that line the street and have amazing grilled meat in the evenings and we had to take a break and have a food fix before we headed back.
Nothing like a chilled beer, cool breeze and plenty of awesome grills to relish!
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| pork |
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| Nepalese Sausage |
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| Roast potatoes |
COFFEE BREAK CAFE , NEAR FEWA LAKE POKHARA
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| Eggs Benedict |
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| Set Breakfast with Scrambled egg |
Just across the street from our Guesthouse in Pokhara was this lovely little cafe that served lovely European style Breakfasts.
Here's ours! It was some of the best Eggs Benedict I've had.
ASSORTED EATERIES ON THE STREETS AROUND FEWA LAKE
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| Iced Tea made right |
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| Some delicious lemon drink |
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| Spaghetti and Egg noodles |
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| Pizza and beer at Your Cafe |
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| Your Cafe- yummy pizza with a view of the lake |
KOREAN RESTAURANT PICNIC IN THAMEL
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| Kimbap with mixed fillings! |
We stumbled on this gem after having a nice relaxed morning, strolling around Thamel and then taking pictures in the gorgeous Dream Gardens. We were walking back to our Hotel and were wondering what to do for lunch, when we saw this place with its low Asian style seating.
We went in and were not disappointed. It was a Feast of Korean Food. And I got to eat all my favourites that I can't have in Goa.
Kimbap which are like a Korean Sushi and Bibim Bap, an awesome one bowl meal of goodness!Yum!
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| Buff Bulgogi |
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| Bibim Bap |
LOVING HOME COOKED MEALS AT THE HOUSES OF FELIX'S NEPALI FRIENDS
We also had the opportunity and honour of eating in the homes of Felix's Nepali friends who were so loving, warm and welcoming. We spent many pleasant and fun hours with these wonderful people who made us feel so at home.
We ate daal bhaat and Noodles and of course momos made at home just for us. It can't get better than this.
Our food journey in Nepal was just as wonderful as everything else in this tiny hospitable country.
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| a loving simple meal eaten with friends |
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| Nepali momos made right! |
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| Tough little yak cheese cookies |
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