Introduction
You might know Chitwan for its wildlife, cultural experiences, and Chitwan National Park, the first national park of Nepal. But its local food scene is just as amazing. Chitwan’s local cuisine includes Tharu dishes and Terai-style meals.
Chitwan’s culinary traditions can be experienced through its local foods. Taas, Dhikri, and Ghongi are some famous foods of Chitwan.
If you are visiting Chitwan or planning to visit, trying local cuisine can add a lot of flavor to your trip. This guide covers seven local foods to try in Chitwan, how to serve them, and where to find them.
The popular unique dishes of Chitwan
In Chitwan, food is more than just something to fulfill your hunger. It represents the culture, tradition, and way of life of the Southern Terai region.
Each flavor has its own unique significance. Visitors who enjoy bold, savory dishes can enjoy Taas; Dhikri represents the simplicity of steamed rice dough; Ghongi lets visitors experience a traditional way of preparing snails; and Sidhra introduces traditional fish and crab preparation.
A meal at a traditional Tharu restaurant or a local restaurant in Chitwan can be one of the most memorable parts of your visit. These meals will make you realize Chitwan is much more than its famous wildlife and natural attractions.
7 Local Cuisines to Try in Chitwan
Whether you’re a food lover or simply curious about local flavors, these seven Chitwan cuisines offer a taste of the region’s traditional food culture.
1) Tass
Tass is a very well-known local food in Chitwan. Tass is a goat meat dish served with beaten rice. What makes this dish special is the spicy seasoning of the meat. Beaten rice, locally known as Chiura, complements the meat by providing a crispy texture to the dish.
Taas is perfect for visitors who enjoy bold flavors. It is one of the signature foods of Chitwan and should definitely be on your list if you love meat-based dishes.
What you should know before ordering tass:
- Tell the restaurant your preferred spice level before ordering.
- Confirm the serving size and order accordingly.
- Choose freshly prepared goat meat.
- Ask which accompaniments are included in the dish.
2) Dhikri
Dhikri is a dish made by steaming rice dough. Rice dough is made into different shapes and steamed. Dhikri is a dumpling or cake-like dish and has a chewy texture. It is served with curry or chutney.
Chutney is a type of dipping sauce that is generally spicy and tangy. The chutney served with Dhikri can vary based on its preparation method and ingredients.
Dhikri is worth trying if you want to sample traditional Tharu food with a mild flavor. Before ordering, you should ask:
- Is the dhikri freshly prepared?
- Which ingredients are used while preparing the chutney
3) Ghongi
Ghongi is a traditional Tharu dish prepared from freshwater snails. It is a special local Tharu dish that may not be familiar to visitors.
Freshwater snails are carefully cleaned and cooked in a seasoned gravy. The common ingredients used while preparing Ghongi include ginger-garlic paste, onions, tomatoes, green chili, cumin, coriander, and turmeric.
The ingredients may slightly vary depending on the restaurant. The snail meat remains inside the shell, and diners are required to draw it out before eating.
First-time eaters might find the texture and the eating unusual, but the dish is worth giving a try.
Before ordering, make sure the restaurant cleans the snails thoroughly and prepares the dish hygienically.
4) Sidhra
Sidhra is a dish made with small dried fish. It is a preserved food prepared using small dried fish, taro stems, turmeric, and seasoning.
This dish is an excellent example of how food ingredients can be preserved for later use. Sidhra has a concentrated and distinctive aroma and flavor. The exact seasoning used to prepare sidhra can vary by household.
Sidhra is recommended for visitors interested in traditional food preservation.
When ordering, ask about the ingredients, how the dish is cooked, and what it is served with.
5) Traditional Tharu-Style Set Meal
The traditional Tharu-style meal set offers you multiple aspects of Tharu cuisine in one sitting. Also called the “Tharu Khaja Set,” the set may contain different Tharu food items.
The food items vary by restaurant. Some common food items in the set include potatoes, traditional sticky rice, fish, meat, and vegetable items.
Rather than having one famous specialty, the Tharu-Style meal set contains several food items served together. Tharu food is connected to agriculture and is prepared using locally sourced ingredients.
For an informative experience, ask the person serving the meal to explain each included food item before ordering.
6) Sekuwa
Sekuwa is a popular Nepali dish that is grilled meat with a rich smoky flavor. Sekuwa is prepared by seasoning the meat, threading it on skewers, and cooking it over an open flame or charcoal.
The preparation of sekuwa starts by cutting the meat into small pieces and marinating it. The marinade may include different ingredients varying by place, but some common ingredients are mustard oil, ginger, and garlic. Chilli, herbs, and spices.
The marinated meat is then grilled. Sekuwa can be prepared with goat meat, buffalo meat, chicken, and some other types of meat.
Sekuwa is available in many restaurants and can also be found as street food. If you love grilled meat, you should definitely try sekuwa.
7) Local Fish Preparations
Fresh fish are cooked with local herbs and spices and served as street food and in restaurants in Chitwan. The dish may vary depending on the type of fish, the seasoning used, and the method of cooking.
Before ordering, it’s advised to ask:
- The type of fish
- The cooking method
- The spices used
- The accompaniments included with the dish
Tips for Trying Local Dishes of Chitwan
Trying unfamiliar local dishes can be exciting and can make your journey more memorable. But you should be cautious while trying new dishes if you have allergies. Some tips for trying traditional food in Chitwan are
- Ask about the ingredients: If you have allergies, you should ask about the ingredients of the dish you’re trying. You should avoid the dish if it contains ingredients that you are allergic to.
- Check the spice level: Some dishes may contain strong spices. If your spice tolerance is low, ask for the spice level of the food before ordering.
- Check if food is prepared safely: Check if the food is cleaned properly and cooked at a safe temperature. Make sure the food follows the five keys to safer food by WHO.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are some famous foods of Chitwan?
Some famous foods of Chitwan are Taas, Dhkri, Ghongi, sidhra, and regional meal sets.
- What is Taas in Nepal?
Taas is a spicy fried goat meat dish served with beaten rice, also known as “Chiura.”
- What is dhikri made of?
Dhikri is made by steaming rice dough shaped into different shapes. It is often served with chutney.
- What is the Tharu cuisine Ghongi?
Ghongi is a traditional Tharu water-snail dish, usually served with curry.
- Where can I eat Tharu-style meals in Chitwan?
Tharu-style meals can be found in restaurants and homestays in Chitwan. Meghauli is a part of Chitwan with many Tharu homestays and restaurants.
