A Newari Food Guide for First-Time Visitors

For your first Newari meal, order a few dishes to share. Start with bara, a savory lentil pancake, and add something from the grill or a side of spiced potatoes. Menus differ, so ask which dishes the kitchen makes that day.

Build a small plate to share

Try choila if you want spiced meat and ask what kind the kitchen uses. Chiura, or beaten rice, gives you something plain and crisp between bites. If samay baji is on the menu, ask what the set includes before ordering extra sides.

Ask about ingredients early

Ask how hot a dish is and whether it can be served milder. If you avoid meat, eggs or a specific ingredient, check the toppings, sauces and how the dish is cooked. Ask before ordering rather than relying on the name alone.

Save room for yomari

Yomari is a steamed rice-flour dumpling with a sweet filling. Ask which filling is available. If the restaurant doesn’t have it, save dessert for another stop instead of ordering a large meal just to try everything at once.

Make lunch part of the walk

In Patan or Kirtipur, pair the meal with one short neighborhood walk. Give lunch enough time for questions and sharing dishes. A smaller first order also makes it easier to ask for another plate of whatever everyone likes.

For more ways to plan your trip, see Lokoon’s guide to the best places to visit in Nepal and three-day Kathmandu Valley itinerary.