Join us in exploring Nepali street food as we dive into the heart of Nepal’s vibrant street food scene while picking up local Nepali words along the way. From the irresistible aroma of freshly steamed momos to the zesty kick of chatpate, this experience is a feast for the senses—and a fun way to connect with Nepali culture. Whether you’re savoring the flavors or learning how to say “delicious” in Nepali, it’s an experience that brings language and taste together on the streets of Nepal.
Master the vocabulary of Nepali street food. From popular dishes like momos and samosas to essential ingredients and taste descriptors, these words will enhance your ability to order, discuss, and enjoy authentic Nepali cuisine.
| English | Romanized Nepali | Nepali Script |
|---|---|---|
| Selroti | Selroti | सेलरोटी |
| Tea | Chiya | चिया |
| Samosa | Samosa | समोसा |
| Fried onion cake | Pyaji | प्याजी |
| Potato stick | Alu stick | आलु स्टिक |
| Sausage stick | Sausage stick | ससेज स्टिक |
| Grilled meat | Sekuwa | सेकुवा |
| Delicious | Mitho / Swadista | मिठो / स्वादिष्ट |
| Food | Khana | खाना |
| Rice flour | Chamalko pitho | चामलको पीठो |
| Sugar | Chini | चिनी |
| Ghee | Gheu | घिउ |
| Chickpeas | Chana | चना |
| Egg | Anda | अण्डा |
| Onion | Pyag | प्याज |
| Dumpling | Momo | म:म: |
| Fried momo | Tareko momo | तारेको म:म: |
| Noodles | Chowmein | चाउमिन |
| Pani puri | Panipuri | पानीपुरी |
| Spicy snack | Chatpate | चट्पटे |
| Keema noodles | Keema noodles | कीमा नुडल्स |
| Spices | Masala | मसला |
| Coriander | Dhaniya | धनियाँ |
| Pickle | Achar | अचार |
| Meat | Masu | मासु |
| Chicken | Kukhura | कुखुरा |
| Pork | Sungurkomain | सुँगुरको मासु |
| Fried | Tareko / Vuteko | तारेको / भुटेको |
| Puffed rice | Murai | मुरै |
| Sour | Khatai / Khatta | खटाइ / खट्टा |
| Green chilli | Hariyo khursani | हरियो खुर्सानी |
| Tomato | Tomato | गोलभेंडा |
| Lemon | Kagati | कागती |
| Mushroom | Cheu | च्याउ |
| Water | Pani | पानी |
| Cold | Chiso | चिसो |
| Spicy | Piro | पिरो |
Learn how to use these food words in real conversation. From expressing your preferences to ordering at a street food vendor, these sentences will help you navigate Nepal’s culinary scene with confidence and authenticity.
| English | Romanized Nepali | Nepali Script |
|---|---|---|
| The food is delicious. | Khana swadista/mitho cha. | खाना स्वादिष्ट/मिठो छ। |
| I like Selroti. | Malai selroti manparcha. | मलाई सेलरोटी मन पर्छ। |
| Tea is sweet. | Chiya guliyo cha. | चिया गुलियो छ। |
| Selroti is made from rice flour. | Selroti chamalko pitho bata banaincha. | सेलरोटी चामलको पिठोबाट बनाइन्छ। |
| Selroti is delicious. | Selroti swadista cha. | सेलरोटी स्वादिष्ट छ। |
| Samosa is very tasty. | Samosa derai mitho cha. | समोसा धेरै मिठो छ। |
| I want to eat pyaji and tea. | Ma pyaji ra chiya khana chahanchu. | म प्याजी र चिया खान चाहन्छु। |
| Please give me 2 alu sticks. | Kripaya malai dui ota alu stick dinuhos. | कृपया मलाई २ वटा आलु स्टिक दिनुहोस्। |
| Mushroom stick is spicy. | Mushroom stick piro cha. | मशरूम स्टिक पिरो छ। |
| How much is the cost per stick? | Euta stickko kati ho? | एउटा स्टिकको कति हो? |
| I want pork sekuwa. | Malai pork sekuwa garidinus. | मलाई पोर्क सेकुवा गरिदिनुस्। |
| Sekuwa is even tastier with achar. | Sekuwa achar sanga ajhai mitho huncha. | सेकुवा अचारसँग अझै मिठो हुन्छ। |
| I am eating momo. | Ma momo khadaichu. | म म:म: खाँदैछु। |
| Momo is incomplete without achar. | Achaar bina momo adhuro huncha. | अचार बिना म:म: अधुरो हुन्छ। |
| I want fried momo. | Malai fried momo garidinus. | मलाई फ्राइड म:म: गरिदिनुस्। |
| Momo and chowmein are very popular in Nepal. | Momo ra chowmein nepalma derai prasidhha cha. | म:म: र चाउमिन नेपालमा धेरै प्रसिद्ध छ। |
| This water is very spicy. | Yo pani derai piro cha. | यो पानी धेरै पिरो छ। |
| Please add only a little spice in chatpate. | Chatpatema thorai piro halidinus. | चटपटेमा थोरै पिरो हालिदिनुस्। |
| Is laphing available here? | Yaha laphing paincha? | यहाँ लाफिङ पाइन्छ? |
| Is this keema noodles? | K yo keema noodles ho? | के यो कीमा नुडल्स हो? |
| This is cold. | Yo chiso cha. | यो चिसो छ। |
Street food is more than just a meal in Nepal—it’s a cultural experience where language and tradition come together. By learning these food words and phrases, you gain the ability to engage authentically with Nepali culture and connect with people through the universal language of delicious food.
|
Principle 01
Food & Culture
Street food is integral to Nepali daily life and social interaction. Learning food vocabulary opens doors to cultural understanding and community connection. |
Principle 02
Practical Communication
These phrases enable you to order food, ask about ingredients, and engage in conversations about taste and preferences in authentic Nepali. |
Principle 03
Sensory Experience
Food connects all senses and emotions. Learning to describe flavors, textures, and your experiences enriches both language skills and cultural appreciation. |
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