The short answer
The Newar people of the Kathmandu Valley have the richest festival cuisine in Nepal. A classic set is samay baji: beaten rice with choila (spiced grilled buffalo), bara (lentil patty), egg, bhutan (fried offal), pickled vegetables and sometimes aila (home distilled spirit). Other Newar foods include chatamari, kwati (a soup of mixed sprouted beans), yomari at the December festival and juju dhau from Bhaktapur.
Newar restaurants in Patan, Bhaktapur and Kathmandu serve these dishes in a traditional setting. Ask the staff to guide you, and request milder spice if needed. Vegetarian options exist, such as kwati and vegetable bara.
Key facts
- Feast
- Samay baji
- Soup
- Kwati
- Crepe
- Chatamari
- Sweet
- Yomari, juju dhau
How it works
- Pick a Newar restaurantPatan, Bhaktapur or Kathmandu.
- Order a setSamay baji.
- Share dishesEasier to taste more.
- Ask for mild spiceIf needed.
- End with curdJuju dhau.
Insider tip
Go with a local friend or guide to order a full set.
Avoid this
Do not assume every Newar dish is vegetarian; many contain buffalo.
Related questions
Is Newar food spicy?
Moderately; ask for milder.
Is there vegetarian Newar food?
Yes, such as kwati and vegetable bara.
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