Best Foods in Pokhara

November 13, 2023
Best Foods in Pokhara

Pokhara is a fantastic place for both adventure lovers and food enthusiasts. Pokhara offers the best food with great restaurants, including vegan options and places with amazing foods that match your budget, taste, and preference.

In this blog, we will discuss some of the best foods found in Pokhara:

1. Majhikuna grilled fish

Best Grilled Fish in Pokhara - Best Food

Majhikuna grilled fish is a popular dish that stands out for its unique barbecue preparation and delicious flavors with traditional spices. To make this dish, fish is marinated with a mix of local spices, giving it a unique flavor that reflects the food tradition. The marinated fish is then grilled to perfection, resulting in a smoky and flavorful taste that is very fulfilling and satisfying.

What makes Majhikuna grilled fish even more enjoyable is its side dish of fresh and aromatic vegetables, such as spinach and mushrooms. These veggies not only enhance the nutritional value of the meal but also provide the best textures and flavors. The combination of the well-seasoned barbecue fish and the side of vegetables creates a balanced and memorable dining experience.

Majhikuna grilled fish is often associated with the beautiful surroundings of Begnas Aqua Park & Restaurant as it is a dish that can be appreciated for its taste and preparation. Beas Aqua Park offers the best delicious insights into the local flavors and culinary traditions, making it a must-try for food lovers.

2. MO: MO

Best Momo with Pickle - Best Food in Pokhara

Momo is a type of food in Pokhara that is similar to dumplings. It is made by wrapping dough around fillings like meat (buff, chicken, mutton) or vegetables. These little packages are then steamed, which means they are cooked with hot steam. This makes the inside soft and juicy, and the outside slightly chewy.

Momo is often served with a special sauce/chutney made from tomatoes, onions, and spices, which adds flavor to the dish. It is a popular and affordable food in Pokhara, enjoyed in many places, from restaurants to people’s homes.

People in Pokhara really like Momo, and it is also becoming popular in other parts of the world. So if you ever see it on a menu, you can give it a try and see if you like it too!

3. Newari Cuisine

Newari Cuisine - Must Try Food in Pokhara

Newar foods are special dishes from Nepal, particularly popular among the Newar people in Pokhara and Kathmandu. They have more than 200 different types of food. The reason they have so many dishes is that the land in Kathmandu is very good for growing ingredients, and many families have enough money to grow a variety of foods.

Food is a big part of Newar culture. They make different foods for different times, like when it’s hot or cold, and they think about what’s good for the body. Newars are known for enjoying big meals, especially during celebrations and festivals. Each dish served at these events has important meanings and is not just about eating; they are also about tradition and culture.

Some of the most famous Newari food items are yomari, bara, samay baji, kwati, choila, aloo tama, sel roti, and gundruk.

4. Thakali Cuisine

Thakali Cuisine - Best food in Pokahra

Thakali cuisine is a type of food in Pokhara, particularly popular among the people. A typical Thakali meal includes lentil soup, rice, green vegetables, and meat. They also have unique items like Buckwheat finger chips and special spices like Jimbu. 

What makes Thakali cuisine stand out is its use of special ingredients like dried goat or yak meat and fermented leafy greens. The food is not just delicious but also colorful, with various items on the plate including dhido, dal bhat, gundruk,sel-roti,marpha brandy, and so on.

In Thakali cooking, they use mustard oil or fresh ghee, which gives the food a special aroma. While it may look similar to other Nepali food, the taste and preparation make Thakali cuisine unique and worth trying when you visit Pokhara.

5. Coffee and Bakeries

Coffee with Bakery

In Pokhara, the bakery market is flourishing due to the increasing demand for cakes, pastries, and other baked goods for special occasions. The following places offer the best bakeries and coffee items in Pokhara:

1. German Bakery: A bakery with European flair, offering tasty pastries, bread, and coffee.

2. Twelve Basket Bakery Café: This charming bakery introduces Korean baked goods, including sweet treats and various breads.

3. Bro Bakery: A bakery known for high-quality pastries and delicious baked goods, along with premium coffee.

4. House of Bakery: A newly opened bakery with a cozy atmosphere, serving unique desserts like Honey Cheesecake and Mango Cheesecake.

5. Bakery the Grg Udhyog: Specialises in customized cakes, convenient for locals and those living abroad.

6. Street Food

Best street food in Pokhara - Chatpat Pani Puri

Pani Puri is a popular snack made of crispy balls filled with potatoes, onions, chickpeas, and tangy sauce. It starts with hollow, crispy balls, which are then filled with a delicious combination of boiled potatoes, chopped onions, chickpeas, and a flavorful, tangy chutney. 

These filled balls are then generously drenched in spicy, flavorful water or sauce, making for a delightful burst of flavors and textures in every bite. 

Pani Puri is a go-to snack for those who appreciate the crunch of the puri, the softness of the potatoes, and the tangy-spicy kick of the chutney and water.

Chatpate, another local favorite, is made using puffed rice and dried instant noodles, mixed with a variety of fresh ingredients like coriander, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and chickpeas. To add depth to the flavors, various spices are also included. 

Chatpate is delicious because it has crunchy puffed rice and noodles, along with fresh vegetables and spices that give it a perfect mix of hot and cool flavors. 

To enjoy Chatpate in Pokhara, you typically use small pieces of cardboard to pick up the delicious blend of flavors and textures. It is a fun and affordable street food option.

7. Fresh fruits/juice

Fresh Orange Juice

In Pokhara, you can enjoy delicious fresh fruits like mangoes, bananas, pineapples, and strawberries from local markets. They’re not only tasty but also healthy.

For a refreshing drink, juice bars are offering freshly squeezed juices made from these fruits. You can sip on orange, watermelon, or mixed fruit juice.

The Lakeside area is a popular spot to find these juices. You can relax by Phewa Lake and enjoy your favorite juice. So, whether you want a fruity snack or a cool drink, Pokhara has plenty to offer for your taste buds and thirst.

8. Bubble Tea

Chocolate Bubble Tea - Best Bubble Tea In Pokhara

One of the most trending drinks these days in Pokhara is Bubble Tea. Boba tea, popularly known as Bubble tea is a tea-based drink with chewy tapioca balls  (“boba” or “pearls”). You can find bubble tea shops quite easily in Pokhara.

Bubble tea has variations in both black tea and white tea. There are lots of flavors such as taro, mango, coffee, and coconut. Other varieties of the drink include blended tea drinks. These variations are often either blended using ice cream or are smoothies that contain both tea and fruit.

Flavoring ingredients such as syrup or powder determine the flavor and usually, the color of the bubble tea, while other ingredients such as tea, milk, and boba are the basis.

Conclusion 

In summary, Pokhara is a fantastic spot for people who enjoy food. You can try a wide variety of dishes there, ranging from traditional Nepali meals to international options. If you have a craving for momo, a desire for dal bhat, or bubble tea, you won’t be disappointed. 

One of the great things about Pokhara is that you can find this food everywhere. Whether you are exploring local markets, sampling street food from stalls, or dining in restaurants, you will encounter fresh and tasty food that’s full of flavor. This city’s food scene satisfies all kinds of tastes, ensuring that you’ll discover something to make your taste buds happy.

So, if you’re a true food lover, Pokhara is a place you really should visit. It offers a wonderful opportunity to go on a culinary adventure and enjoy the delicious world of food in this beautiful city.

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