The foods eaten by the people of Nepal

Nepali cuisine has a rich and diverse history, influenced by its ethnic diversity and topographical variation. Situated between India and China, the food in Nepal has been influenced by both of these culinary giants, yet it has its own distinct flavors and preparations. Over the last 500 years, the cuisine has been shaped by indigenous practices, trade routes, and cultural interchange.

Staple Foods

1. Rice: A staple, usually served with lentil soup and vegetable or meat curries.
2. Dal: Lentil soup, another key component of a typical Nepali meal.
3. Roti: Flatbreads made from wheat, barley, or corn.

Proteins

1. Meat: Goat, chicken, and mutton are commonly consumed, especially during festivals.
2. Fish: More common in Terai and riverine regions.
3. Dairy: Curd, milk, and cheese (like yak cheese in mountainous regions) are widely used.

Vegetables and Fruits

1. Seasonal Vegetables: Cauliflower, spinach, radish, and other seasonal vegetables are widely consumed.
2. Potatoes: Especially important in mountainous regions where growing rice is challenging.
3. Fruits: Mango, lychee, guava, and bananas in the lowlands; apples and berries in the hills.

Legumes and Pulses

1. Lentils and Chickpeas: The basis for various types of "dal" and stews.
2. Black-Eyed Peas: Often used in salads and side dishes.

Spices and Seasonings

1. Turmeric, Cumin, Coriander: Staple spices in many dishes.
2. Chilies: Both green and dried red chilies are used for heat.
3. Fenugreek: Commonly used for pickles and to flavor lentil soups.
4. Timur: A unique spice similar to Szechuan peppercorns.

Traditional Dishes

1. Dal Bhat: A traditional meal including steamed rice and lentil soup, often accompanied by vegetable curries, chutney, and might also include meat curries or fried fish.
2. Momos: Steamed or fried dumplings filled with meat or vegetables.
3. Gundruk: Fermented leafy green vegetable.
4. Newa Cuisine: Offers a variety of dishes like "Bara" and "Yomari" unique to the Newar community in Kathmandu Valley.
5. Thukpa: Noodle soup that originated from Tibet but is very popular in Nepal as well.

Sweets and Desserts

1. Sel Roti: A traditional sweet, rice-based doughnut-like dish.
2. Jeri: A kind of funnel cake.
3. Lalmohan: A Nepali variant of the Indian Gulab Jamun.

Beverages

1. Tea: Consumed widely, both black and milk tea; butter tea in mountainous regions.
2. Raksi: Traditional Nepali distilled alcoholic beverage.
3. Chang: A type of rice beer common among mountain communities.

Foreign Influences and Modern Foods

1. Tibetan Influence: Dishes like momos and thukpa.
2. Indian Influence: Various bread like naan, spices, and sweets.
3. Global Foods: With globalization, foods like noodles, pizzas, and burgers are becoming popular, especially in urban areas.

Nepali cuisine is diverse and varies by region and ethnic community. Over the past 500 years, it has evolved to incorporate influences from neighbors like India and Tibet while maintaining its own unique set of flavors and ingredients. The food also reflects the geography of Nepal, from the abundant rice and fish in the lowlands, to the barley and root vegetables of the mountainous regions.