We spent two full days hunting for the best Nepal street food dishes in central Kathmandu, NEPAL. This time, we’ve covered Asan, Basantapur (and Kathmandu Durbar Square) and New Road.
What’s fun about Kathmandu is the amazing food diversity the city has to offer. Kathmandu is an incredible foodie destination.
There are hundreds of dishes and food items there. And it can be quite overwhelming and difficult to enjoy the Kathmandu food scene if you don’t know what you’re looking for and most importantly, where to look.
Here are the 20 street foods you absolutely must try in Kathmandu.
Table of Contents
Watch my Kathmandu Street Food Video
Top 20 Must Try Street Foods in Kathmandu
Number 1. Chatamari
Chatamari is one of my favorite Newari dishes. It is known as the Newari pizza.
However, the one we had in Basantapur was like a crepe or galette (galettes are the salty version of French crepes). The crepe version is extremely famous in Basantapur. It is different than the other Chatamaris we had before, but extremely tasty as well. The base of Chatamaris is made with rice flour and can come with different toppings; you can usually order: Veg Chatamari, Egg Chatamari, Keema (minced meat, usually Buff) Chatamari or Mixed Chatamari.
Pizza Chatamari 
Crepe Chatamari at Chatamari Chen
Where?
Chatamari Chen is extremely popular among locals in Kathmandu. They serve mouthwatering Chatamaris (crepe style). This place isn’t easy to find, but you can ask any shops around Kasthamandap and they will give you the exact directions.
Number 2. Gwaramari
Gwaramari is a traditional Newari round bread (‘gwara’ means ‘round’ and ‘mari’ means ‘bread’ in Newari) that is crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. It is tastier when served warm.
To me, it’s a better alternative to Jeri Swari for breakfast, as it is lighter and less sugary.
Where?
You can find Gwaramari everywhere in the streets of Kathmandu. The best Gwaramaris are in Asan and Indra Chowk, where you can also find Jeri and Malpua.
Number 3. Pani Puri
Pani Puri is an empty deep-fried crispy dough shell filled with a special mixture (tangy water (Pani), masala, chaat, potato, onion, chickpeas, and whatnots).
The first time I tried Pani Puri was in Delhi, India. The taste was unusual and I didn’t like it much at first. Now, I really love this street food dish.
Where?
We tried the Pani Puri at a stall (Om Panipuri Chat Center) located in front of Peoples Plaza, in New Road Khichhapokhari.
Number 4. Dahi Puri
Dahi means ‘curd’. And Dahi Puri is just that: instead of Pani, they put Dahi (curd) inside the crispy ball. Curd softens the tanginess of the Pani Puri. However, my favorite remains the classic Pani Puri.
Where?
We tried the Dahi Puri at the same place we tried the regular Pani Puri, at Om Panipuri Chat Center, located in front of Peoples Plaza, in New Road Khichhapokhari.
Number 5. Chatpate
Chatpate is one of my favorite street food dishes in Kathmandu. It is a mixture of puffed rice, waiwai (instant noodles), peas, herbs, spices, peanuts, tomatoes, cucumber, onions, potatoes, lemon, chili, and other ingredients.
Where?
The place we went for Chatpate serves huge portions. But it is very difficult to find. You have to take a small alley on Siddhidas Marg, near the Makhan Lane, and then, another very tiny alley to reach the shop. Best is to watch my video (above) for the exact directions!
Number 6. Meetha Paan
Meetha Paan is a street food item made of betel leaves and filled with many ingredients that were totally unknown to me (such as slaked lime, paan katha, paan chutney, gulkand, mouth freshner, …) but also dhana dal, coconuy, dry dates, cardamoms, tutti frutti and a cherry on the bottom of the stick.
The explosion of flavors was truly overwhelming. The taste kept changing as I was chewing (and chewing and chewing…). The first time I’ve tried it, I even didn’t know if I liked it as it was so unique. A food item you should try at least once when in Nepal. It is very refreshing.
Where?
You can find Meetha Paan shops everywhere in Kathmandu. I had my first Meetha Paan near Civil Mall, in Kanti Path.
Number 7. Anda Keema
Anda Keema is also a Newari dish. ‘Anda’ means ‘egg’ in Nepali, and Keema is minced meat.
But it isn’t the regular ‘Anda Keema’ omelet you’ll be served here. The Newari Anda Keema is a delicious steamed egg served in a small bowl with keema under the egg and curry on top. Simple and yet, very delicious.
Where?
A small Khaja Ghar located near Kasthamandap, in Basantapur, serves amazing Anda Keema.
Number 8. Aloo Paratha
Another favorite of us. Aloo Paratha is a roti (flatbread) stuffed with potatoes and spices (‘aloo’ means ‘potato’ and a ‘paratha’ is a flatbread).
It is originally from India but it is a very common dish in Nepal as well. It is usually eaten for breakfast with achar, but nowadays, people also eat Aloo Paratha as a snack.
Where?
The Khaja Ghar located near Kasthamandap, in Basantapur, next the shop where they serve Anda Keema, serves very tasty Aloo Paratha.
Number 9. Chicken & Buff Sekuwa
Sekuwa is my favorite Newari dish. It is a traditional barbecued-style meat (chicken, buff, pork or mutton) marinated in spices and roasted directly over open fire.
It is one of the most famous street food dishes in Kathmandu. Many vendors sell grilled meat skewers in the streets of Basantapur, in Kathmandu.
Where?
Aunty’s Sekuwa Corner serves some of the best Sekuwas (chicken and buff) I’ve had in Kathmandu so far. Even though my favorite is still my husband’s. Krishna really makes mouthwatering sekuwas whether it is with chicken, buff, goat or pork.
Number 10. Momo
Momos are Nepali-style steamed dumplings that share similarities with the Chinese Jiaozi, Georgian khinkali, Polish Pierogi, Japanese Gyoza and French raviolis.
There is quite a lot of varieties of momos now, such as steamed momo, kothey momo (pan fried), Jhol momo (soup momo), c-momo (chilly momo), fried momo, etc. You can find different fillings as well such as buff momos (the most popular momos), veg momos, chicken momos, pork momos, fish momos, etc.
Where?
Narayan Dai ko Masangalli ko famous Momo, near Kathmandu Durbar Square, is a very famous place for momos (Buff momos and Cheese Veg Momos). It is usually very crowded. The original outlet located in Gaushala serves momos since 1962.
Number 11. Lassi
Lassi is a traditional sweet curd / yoghurt smoothie from India. The Lassi in Kathmandu is usually mixed with khuwa, raisins, cashews and / or almonds.
Where?
The best Lassis in Kathmandu are located at Indra Chowk. There are many vendors selling Lassi around Asan and Indra Chowk. ‘Indra Chowk Lassi Bhandar’ is extremely famous among locals, and the shop is always busy, be it in summer or winter, during hot, cold or rainy days.
Number 12. Jeri
Jeri, also known as Jalebi in India, is an orange deep-fried sweet in a pretzel shape. It is tastier when freshly cooked and hot.
In Nepal, locals eat Jeri with a soft thin bread called ‘Swari’ and a cup of milk tea, especially for breakfast.
Where?
You can easily find Jeri everywhere in central Kathmandu. The best Jeris are definitely in the backstreets of Asan and Indra Chowk.
Number 13. Malpuwa
Malpuwa (or Malpua) is a delicious pancake deep-fried in sugar syrup. It is either eat as a snack or a dessert.
Malpuas are traditionally made during festivals, especially during Tihar and Holi.
Where?
You can find Malpuwas in the small alleys around Asan and Indra Chowk.
Number 14. Samosa
Samosa is a triangular deep-fried pastry filled with spicy potatoes, peas, onions and other ingredients. It can be served either as a veg samosa or with meat. It is served with achaar or spicy sauce. Samosa is a worldwide popular Indian street food dish. And you can find very tasty samosas everywhere in Kathmandu.
Where?
We tried many, many samosas. The Samosa of Shyam Chaat Bhandar, located on new Road, is quite tasty. And it’s very cheap as well.
Number 15. Samosa Chaat
Samosa is a Samosa crushed and mixed with many ingredients such as chana masala, dahi (curd), chilli, onions, tomatoes, achaar, spices, … It is very tasty. Like Samosa, Samosa Chaat can be either vegetarian or served with meat.
Where?
We tried the samosa chaat of Shyam Chaat Bhandar, located on new Road. It was cheap (50NPR only) and yummy.
Number 16. Kachori Chaat
Kachori Chaat is a spicy deep-fried puffed pastry filled with lentils, crushed and mixed with many ingredients such as dahi (curd), chilli, onions, tomatoes, achaar, spices, …
Where?
We had our Kachori Chaat in New Road, at Tip Top Sweets. This place is extremely crowded in the afternoon and evening.
Number 17. Puri Tarkari
‘Puri’, also known as ‘Poori’, is a puffy bread served with a bowl of vegetable curry (tarkari). Puri is lighter than roti, and is usually served as a breakfast dish.
Where?
We took our breakfast in New Road, at Tip Top Sweets. This place is good for tasting Indian breakfast items, and not too crowded in the morning (extremely busy in the afternoon though).
Number 18. Chole Bhature
Chole Bhature is also a breakfast dish consisting of a bowl of spicy chickpeas (Chole) with Bhature (huge puffed bread looking like Puri but two-three times bigger) and achaar.
Chole 
Bhature
Where?
We went to Tip Top Sweets as this place specializes in Indian cuisine. They add Paneer (my favorite) in the Chole, making it even tastier.
Number 19. Rasmalai
Rasmalai is an Indian dessert that you can easily find in Kathmandu as well. It’s a cottage cheese patty soaked inside a sweet milk cream.
Where?
We tried the Rasmalai of Tip Top Sweets, in New Road, as this place specializes in Indian desserts and sweets.
Number 20. Chocolate Pani Puri
Pani Puri is probably the most common street food in India and Nepal. Chocolate Pani Puri is an empty deep-fried crispy chocolate dough ball filled with chocolate and whipped cream. It’s the chocolate version of Pani Puri. Although I love Pani Puri, I am not a huge fan of chocolate Pani Puri, and besides, it is quite expensive for what it is.
Where?
We tried the Chocolate Pani Puri near Kathmandu Durbar Square, at Flavour Fort.
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