A Food Lover's Guide to Eastern Nepal Cuisine in Dharan

The Flavors of the Koshi Region

Dharan sits where the hills meet the plains, and its food draws on Nepali, Indian, and Tibetan traditions. For a visitor, that means plenty to try within a short walk of the hotel.

Must-Try Local Foods

• Dal bhat tarkari: The everyday Nepali meal — rice, lentil soup, seasonal vegetables, and pickles. Filling, and easy to find anywhere.
• Momo: Steamed dumplings, usually served with a house-made achar — a tangy tomato–sesame dipping sauce. Vegetarian, chicken, and buff fillings are all common.
• Sel roti: A sweet, ring-shaped rice-flour bread, fried fresh and especially popular around Dashain and Tihar.
• Thakali khana: A larger set meal with several side dishes, widely available in Nepal's Thakali restaurants.
• Masala chiya: Spiced milk tea with ginger and cardamom — a good way to start the morning.

At Hotel Gorkha, our kitchen serves Nepali and Indian meals prepared fresh, using ingredients from Dharan's morning market. Come hungry.

Sources & Further Reading

• Wikipedia — Nepalese cuisine
• Wikipedia — Momo (food)
• Wikipedia — Sel roti
• Wikipedia — Thakali people