Nepali cuisine is known for its comforting flavors, wholesome ingredients, and variety of easy-to-make snacks that are enjoyed in homes and tea shops across the country. From savory fried delights to sweet treats, Nepali snacks are more than just filler between meals—they are integral to the culture of hospitality, community bonding, and everyday life.
This article explores 15+ popular Nepali snacks, including street foods and homemade favorites like puri tarkari, pokada, haluwa, alu chiura, and anda chiura. Whether you’re preparing for tea time, a quick breakfast, or evening bites, these snacks are simple, flavorful, and deeply rooted in tradition.
1. Puri Tarkari (Fried Bread with Curry)
A popular breakfast and snack dish, puri tarkari consists of small, deep-fried wheat breads served with a mildly spiced potato curry (tarkari). It’s often served during festivals or when guests arrive. The crispiness of puri contrasts perfectly with the soft, flavorful potato curry.
2. Pokada (Nepali Pakoras)
Also known as pakoras, these are deep-fried fritters made from gram flour (besan) mixed with vegetables like onion, potatoes, or spinach. Spiced with turmeric, chili, and ajwain seeds, pokadas are perfect with tea on a rainy day.
3. Haluwa (Semolina or Flour-based Sweet Porridge)
Haluwa is a soft and sweet snack made from semolina (suji), wheat flour, or even carrot (gajar ko haluwa), mixed with ghee, sugar, and cardamom. Often topped with nuts, it’s a go-to for festive occasions and quick sweet cravings.
4. Alu Chiura (Beaten Rice with Potatoes)
A light yet filling snack, alu chiura is made by mixing beaten rice (chiura) with turmeric-coated fried or mashed potatoes. It’s seasoned with green chili, mustard oil, salt, and sometimes coriander. It’s a favorite during lunch breaks and quick tiffin meals.
5. Anda Chiura (Beaten Rice with Egg Scramble)
This protein-rich snack is popular among students and workers. Scrambled eggs mixed with spiced chiura create a hearty and satisfying dish. Often garnished with green onions and sometimes served with a side of tomato pickle.
6. Sel Roti (Sweet Rice Bread)
A beloved festival snack, sel roti is a ring-shaped rice flour bread that is deep-fried and slightly sweet. It’s crispy on the outside and soft inside, often served with yogurt or tarkari, especially during Dashain and Tihar.
7. Chatpate (Spicy Street Mix)
A crunchy, tangy, and spicy mixture made from puffed rice (muri), noodles, onions, chilies, lemon juice, and spices. Widely available from street vendors, chatpate is Nepal’s version of bhel puri and is incredibly addictive.
8. Chana Chatpate (Spicy Chickpea Mix)
A healthy and spicy snack made from boiled black chickpeas, chopped onions, green chilies, tomato, and mustard oil. Great as an afternoon bite, it’s also a protein-rich snack.
9. Kalo Chana Fry (Fried Black Chickpeas)
Boiled black chickpeas stir-fried with turmeric, garlic, and chilies. This dry snack is high in protein and often eaten during fasting or as a quick energy booster.
10. Samosa
Triangular deep-fried pastries filled with spiced potatoes and peas. Though of Indian origin, samosas are commonly found in Nepali tea shops and are enjoyed with chutney or ketchup.
11. Nimki (Salty Snack Crisps)
A crunchy snack made by deep-frying flour dough seasoned with ajwain or cumin. Nimki is shelf-stable and often enjoyed with tea or served to guests.
12. Masyaura Fry
Masyaura are dried fermented lentil nuggets made with yam or colocasia. Once fried, they become crispy and are served as a crunchy snack with rice or tea.
13. Corn on the Cob (Makai ko Paat)
Grilled or boiled corn, often rubbed with salt, chili, and lemon. Especially popular during the monsoon season when fresh corn is abundant.
14. Choyla (Spiced Grilled Meat)
Usually made from buff or chicken, choyla is grilled meat marinated with mustard oil, garlic, chili, and fenugreek. Though traditionally part of a Newari feast, it’s also enjoyed as a spicy snack.
15. Boiled Tarul (Yam) and Bhuteko Bhatmas (Fried Soybeans)
Boiled yam or sweet potatoes are often served plain or with salt and chili. Bhuteko bhatmas—fried soybeans with garlic—make a crunchy, spicy pairing with drinks or tea.
16. Khaja Set (Traditional Snack Platter)
In Newari culture, a khaja set may include beaten rice, choyla, boiled eggs, soybeans, pickles, and even alcohol. This platter is a full meal in some contexts but can also be a snack offering during gatherings.
17. Laphing (Spicy Cold Noodle Dish)
A Tibetan-origin noodle snack that has gained popularity in Nepali cities. Made from starch, laphing is spicy, tangy, and served cold with soy sauce, garlic, and chili oil.
18. Dhido Chips (Millet or Buckwheat Crisps)
Modern takes on traditional foods include crispy versions of dhido—made into thin chips and baked or fried. They are gluten-free and served with chutney.
19. Aloo Chop (Potato Patties)
Mashed potatoes spiced and shaped into patties, then fried. Often stuffed with cheese or peas, they’re perfect with tomato achar or tamarind sauce.
20. Anda Tarkari with Roti or Chiura
A quick egg curry served with flatbread (roti) or chiura. Affordable and rich in protein, it’s a popular working-class snack and breakfast.
Conclusion
Nepali snacks reflect the diversity of the country’s culinary landscape—blending taste, tradition, and everyday practicality. Whether it’s a spicy bowl of chatpate from a street vendor or freshly fried pokadas made at home during a rainstorm, these snacks add richness to daily life. Many of them are easy to make, budget-friendly, and offer both nutrition and nostalgia.
If you’re looking to try authentic Nepali flavors in your kitchen, these 15+ snacks are a delicious place to start.