Kirtipur offers food lovers fine, traditional dishes oozing with flavour and taste.
Kirtipur is nestled on a hill with a view, perched on the outskirts of Kathmandu, only a few miles from the noisy city. Visitors can enjoy a genuine Nepalese traditional atmosphere. The town’s beauty shines through its red-brick houses, labyrinthine streets, and the seductive scent of Newari meals served by restaurants and food stalls.
Newari food has a rich and nuance-filled taste. The local cooking is marked by authentic ethnicity. Eating in Kirtipur isn’t just about consuming food; it is an excuse to sample Newari’s ethos. The dishes are diverse, and anyone will tell you their preference and the cultural value of the dishes. From the street-side vendors selling savoury bara (crispy lentil patties) to the bustling restaurants serving hearty samay baji plates, every bite carries a story of heritage, family, and community.
Kirtipur’s cuisine offers a genuine taste of Newari culture and history.
Feast of Flavors
Let’s start with one of Kirtipur’s most iconic treats: Yomari or Yomiury. This sweet dumpling, made of rice flour, is stuffed with powdered jaggery and sesame seeds. Initially, it was only made during the Yomari Punhi festival, but now, people eat this predominantly sweet-nutty delicacy throughout the year.
Then there is bara, a deep-fried lentil cake usually paired with a mildly spicy tomato achar, which fills the palate. Bara is basic plain food, best made by a Newari chef.
Daring foodies should try Choila, well-aged buffalo meat marinated in red chilli, ginger, garlic, and mustard oil and then grilled or pan-seared. This local dish is usually served with beaten rice (chiura), making it a most satisfying meal for the next level.
Another memorable dish is Kwati, a soup made from sprouted beans. It is a warm dish featuring a trendy combination of beans cooked with delicious spices, herbs, and a hint of mustard oil.
Samay Baji is the delightful epitome of Newari cuisine. It is a juicy feast of all the above items on one plate. This spread defines the Newari kitchen and is often made for festivals and family functions.
Iconic dishes like Yomiuri, bara, and cholla highlight the town’s culinary heritage.
Culinary Hotspots
Newa Lahana has become a focal point for locals and travellers. The restaurant’s proprietor, Moshish Maharjan, says, “We ensure customers leave with the best impression possible”. Supported by his staff, he has cultivated a great dining atmosphere.
Another attraction is Sasa Twa, a Newari food joint with a traditional dance display. The chairman of Sasa Twa, Phiroj Singh, believes that merging dance and food makes the environment appealing to customers.
One more kitchen, Aama Ko, might not be as big as the previous one but is very popular too.
Food in Kirtipur is a cultural experience, embodying history in every bite.
Festivals and street food
Kirtipur is a food-loving city where traditional festivals feature traditional food. Festivals such as Yomari Punhi and Indra Jatra are occasions where people assemble and demonstrate Newari cuisine at its best. These festivals provide a unique opportunity to taste Kirtipur’s food in its most unadulterated and festive form.
Exploring the narrow alleys of Kirtipur is a delightful experience. The aroma of sizzling miscellaneous foods drifts through the air. Street vendors sell even more treats, such as bara, Yomiuri, and savoury momo. Here, food is cooked freshly on demand.
In Kirtipur, food is a cultural representation of its inhabitants and kinship with the past. A piece of history is served in every bite in Kirtipur. The next time you are in Kathmandu Valley, do not stick to the throbbing capital; instead, detour to Kirtipur and indulge in the mouth-watering fares that embellish the cultural palate of this place.
Pratikshya Bhatta is a junior editor for Nepal Connect
