Do you
think it is safe to eat freely in Nepal?
In general, yes. But, it's always good to take
sensible precautions in order to avoid any health
problems. No matter how tempting, and it can get
very tempting after a long trek, avoid drinking
any other water than bottled water. If you have
to drink non-bottled water, purify it with iodine
or chlorine tablets (available readily in most
drug stores in Kathmandu). Asking for bottled
water in restaurants is always a best idea. But
you know we always prefer to recommend you to
drink boiled or treated water in regards to protect
our environment especially around the trekking
areas.
Do not eat roadside food that is exposed in
the open air. Avoid buying and eating raw and
unpeeled fruit and vegetables. Other than that,
it is fine to have boiled, fried or properly
packaged food items.
What dietary expectations should I
have during my trip to Nepal?
The staple food of Nepalese people is "daal,
bhaat, tarkari" (lentil soup, curried vegetables
with rice). Tarkari or curried vegetables can
be bit spicy, hot and oily to people who are
not used to eating spicy, hot and oily food.
To avoid any stomach problems or diarrhea in
Nepal we suggest any foreigners to stick with
their normal spice less food. Daal and Bhaat
are not spicy, so go ahead and taste them. For
tarkari, I feel you should gradually try it
in very less amount. Another thing that one
should be aware of while arriving in Nepal is
Drinking Water. Drink only bottled mineral water
unless you are sure that the water is boiled
and filtered. But we prefer to recommend you
to drink boiled or treated water because it
helps to protect our environment.
In Kathmandu and Pokhara, you can also find
plenty of restaurants that offer International
Cuisine such as Italian, Chinese, Thai, Mexican,
Indian and so on. In Kathmandu, you should try
Newari cuisine: the Newars (original inhabitants
of Kathmandu Valley) have a very rich history
of culinary art. Another food that you shouldn't
miss to eat in Nepal is "MOMO". Momo
can be both vegetarian and non-vegetarian types.
Unless you are a veg person, I would recommend
you to taste Non-veg Momos. You can find this
food in any Nepalese restaurants and I would
like you to discover this new food by your own
during your visit to Nepal. However, besides
these primary tourist hubs, you may not have
much in terms of dietary choice. Trekkers will
probably end up eating "daal, Bhaat, Tarkari"
(lentil soup, curried vegetables with rice)
for every major meal.
Since Nepal is a Hindu Kingdom, beef is strictly
prohibited among both the Hindus and Buddhist.
Hence it is little bit difficult to find restaurants
that offer beef.
For drinking, Nepal produces over half a dozen
of larger and light beers. Dark beer is available.
An amazing variety of other hard liquor such
as rum, whiskey, gin, vodka etc. is also produced
in Nepal. Imported liquors are available at
exorbitant prices. You will also come across
a few types of Nepalese home brewed alcohol
called "raksi" or available along
your trekking routes. Bottled water is available
everywhere, and should be the only water you
drink. Coke, Pepsi and other major international
brand name sodas are also available.
I am a vegetarian
In this regards there is no problem to have
vegetarian food any where in Nepal. There are
many vegetarian restaurants. And even if you
drop into normal restaurants, you can easily
get vegetarian food. Just for your information,
Vegetarian in Nepal means non-consumption of
both meat and egg. Milk and other animal product
are allowed.