7 Sweet Treats You Must Try When Visiting Nepal

Nepal, a country known for its majestic mountains, rich culture, and diverse traditions, also boasts a delicious array of sweets that reflect its vibrant heritage. From festive delicacies to everyday treats, Nepali desserts are a blend of simple ingredients and rich flavors.

Whether you are strolling through the streets of Kathmandu or enjoying the serene views of Pokhara, indulging in the country’s traditional sweets is an essential part of the Nepali experience.

In this blog post, we’ll explore seven sweet treats that you must try when visiting Nepal. Each one offers a unique taste of the country’s culinary traditions, combining ageold recipes with local ingredients. These desserts are perfect for any traveler looking to satisfy their sweet tooth while discovering the flavors of Nepal.

1. Sel Roti: Nepal’s Sweet Rice Doughnut

What is Sel Roti?
Sel Roti is one of Nepal’s most iconic and beloved sweets. It is a deepfried circular rice flour doughnut, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Sel Roti is slightly sweet, made from a simple batter of rice flour, sugar, and water, sometimes flavored with cardamom for an aromatic twist. Traditionally prepared during festivals like Dashain and Tihar, Sel Roti is enjoyed by people of all ages.

Ingredients of Sel Roti:
Rice flour
Sugar
Water
Cardamom (optional)
Ghee or oil for frying

How Sel Roti is Made:
The batter is prepared by mixing rice flour, water, and sugar into a thick, smooth consistency. Some recipes include cardamom for added fragrance. Once the batter is ready, it’s poured into hot oil in a circular motion to form the doughnut shape. The Sel Roti is fried until golden brown and crispy.

Why You Should Try It:
Sel Roti is not just a sweet treat; it’s a cultural experience. The combination of its crispy exterior and soft, slightly chewy interior makes every bite delightful. Sel Roti is often served with tea, yogurt, or spicy pickles, creating a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. Whether you’re attending a festival or visiting a local sweet shop, Sel Roti is a musttry.

2. Jeri: The Nepali Version of Jalebi

What is Jeri?
Jeri, also known as Jalebi in India, is a popular street food sweet in Nepal. It’s made by deepfrying a batter in circular shapes and then soaking the fried dough in sugar syrup. The result is a sticky, syrupy, crispy sweet that’s loved by people across Nepal, especially during festivals and special occasions.

Ingredients of Jeri:
Allpurpose flour
Yogurt (for fermentation)
Ghee or oil (for frying)
Sugar (for syrup)
Water

How Jeri is Made:
The batter for Jeri is made with flour and yogurt, which is left to ferment for several hours. The batter is then poured into hot oil in a spiral shape. Once fried, the Jeri is immediately dipped into a warm sugar syrup, where it absorbs the sweetness and develops its signature sticky texture.

Why You Should Try It:
Jeri is a treat for those who love crispy, syrupy desserts. Its bright orange color and intricate spiral shape make it as visually appealing as it is delicious. Jeri is often paired with samosas or served with tea for a balanced snack. The contrast of its crispiness with the sticky syrup creates an unforgettable eating experience.

3. Barfi: A Creamy, MilkBased Delight

What is Barfi?
Barfi is a dense, milkbased sweet that is a favorite during festivals and family celebrations in Nepal. It’s made by simmering milk until it thickens into a fudgelike consistency, then flavored with sugar, cardamom, and garnished with nuts. Barfi comes in different variations, such as coconut barfi or pistachio barfi, depending on the ingredients used.

Ingredients of Barfi:
Fullcream milk or condensed milk
Sugar
Cardamom powder
Ghee (clarified butter)
Nuts (almonds, pistachios)

How Barfi is Made:
The milk is boiled and simmered until it thickens and reduces significantly. Sugar, cardamom, and ghee are then added to enhance the flavor.

Once the mixture has reached a dense consistency, it is spread onto a flat surface, cooled, and cut into squares or diamond shapes. It’s often garnished with chopped nuts or edible silver leaf.

Why You Should Try It:
Barfi has a rich, creamy texture that melts in your mouth. The sweetness is balanced with the aroma of cardamom and the crunch of nuts.

It’s a versatile sweet that can be found in many local sweet shops, and each type of Barfi offers a different flavor experience. Whether you try the classic milk barfi or a coconut variation, you won’t be disappointed.

4. Yomari: The Traditional Newari Festive Sweet

What is Yomari?
Yomari is a traditional sweet dumpling from the Newar community in the Kathmandu Valley. It’s made from rice flour dough shaped like a fish or fig, and filled with chaku (a rich molasses made from jaggery) or khuwa (a thickened milk mixture). Yomari is an integral part of Yomari Punhi, a festival that celebrates the end of the rice harvest.

Ingredients of Yomari:
Rice flour
Chaku (jaggery molasses)
Khuwa (optional, a thick milk filling)

How Yomari is Made:
The dough is prepared by mixing rice flour with hot water to form a soft, pliable dough. Small portions of dough are shaped into hollow cones or figlike shapes, which are then filled with chaku or khuwa. The dumplings are steamed until cooked through, and the result is a warm, soft, and sweet treat.

Why You Should Try It:
Yomari is not only a delicious dessert but also a cultural symbol of prosperity and celebration. The combination of the chewy rice flour exterior with the sweet, sticky filling of chaku makes it a delightful treat, especially during the cold winter months. Yomari is a musttry for anyone interested in experiencing the unique flavors of the Newar community.

5. Laddu: A Sweet Treat for Every Occasion

What is Laddu?
Laddu, also spelled as ladoo, is a round, sweet ball made from flour, sugar, and ghee. It is one of the most popular sweets in Nepal, often prepared for festivals, weddings, and religious ceremonies. There are various types of laddu, such as boondi laddu (made from tiny fried gram flour balls soaked in syrup) and besan laddu (made from gram flour).

Ingredients of Laddu:
Gram flour (or other flours)
Ghee (clarified butter)
Sugar
Cardamom
Nuts and raisins (optional)

How Laddu is Made:
The flour is first roasted in ghee until golden brown, which gives it a nutty flavor. Sugar is then added, along with cardamom for extra fragrance. Once the mixture has cooled slightly, it is shaped into small, round balls. Nuts and raisins are sometimes added for extra texture and flavor.

Why You Should Try It:

Laddu is rich, flavorful, and satisfying. The combination of roasted gram flour and ghee creates a meltinyourmouth experience, while the sweetness from the sugar makes it perfect for those with a sweet tooth. Laddu is not overly complicated, but its simplicity is what makes it a favorite across Nepal.

6. Peda: A Soft, Milky Delight

What is Peda?
Peda is a soft, milkbased sweet that is commonly enjoyed in Nepal during religious festivals and as an offering in temples.

Made from condensed milk, sugar, and cardamom, Peda is shaped into small, round discs and often garnished with crushed pistachios or almonds. Its rich, creamy texture and delicate sweetness make it a popular dessert.

Ingredients of Peda:
Condensed milk
Sugar
Cardamom powder
Ghee (clarified butter)
Pistachios or almonds for garnish

How Peda is Made:
Condensed milk is cooked over low heat until it thickens and turns golden. Sugar and cardamom are added for sweetness and flavor. Once the mixture cools slightly, it is shaped into small, round discs and garnished with nuts.

Why You Should Try It:
Peda is a smooth and creamy dessert that’s perfect for those who enjoy milkbased sweets. Its meltinthemouth texture, combined with the subtle hint of cardamom, makes it a truly indulgent treat. Whether eaten during festivals or as a casual snack, Peda is a musttry in Nepal.

7. Kheer: A Comforting Rice Pudding

What is Kheer?
Kheer is a traditional rice pudding made by boiling rice in milk with sugar and flavored with cardamom and nuts. It is often served during festivals, religious ceremonies, or special family gatherings. Kheer is creamy, rich, and fragrant, offering a comforting and satisfying end to any meal.

Ingredients of Kheer:
Rice
Milk
Sugar
Cardamom
Ghee
Nuts (almonds , pistachios)
Raisins (optional)

How Kheer is Made:
To make Kheer, rice is first boiled in milk until it becomes soft and the mixture thickens. Sugar, cardamom, and ghee are added for sweetness and flavor.

Once the Kheer reaches a creamy consistency, it’s garnished with chopped nuts and raisins. The result is a rich and creamy pudding that is mildly sweet and incredibly satisfying.

Why You Should Try It:
Kheer is a comforting dessert that provides a warm, soothing finish to any meal. The creamy texture of the milk and rice, combined with the crunch of nuts and the fragrance of cardamom, makes it a timeless favorite in Nepal. Whether it’s served warm or chilled, Kheer is a dish that will make you feel at home in Nepal.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the most popular sweet in Nepal?
One of the most popular sweets in Nepal is Sel Roti, a deepfried rice doughnut that is enjoyed during festivals and as a snack. It’s loved for its crispy exterior and soft, chewy interior.

2. Are Nepali sweets too sweet?
Nepali sweets vary in sweetness, but many are balanced and not overly sweet. Sweets like Peda and Barfi have a mild sweetness, while Jeri is more syrupy and sweet due to its sugar coating.

3. Are there vegan sweet options in Nepal?
Some traditional Nepali sweets, like Sel Roti and Laddu, can be made vegan by using plantbased oils or ghee substitutes. However, many milkbased sweets, such as Peda and Kheer, contain dairy, so it’s best to ask about ingredients if you are vegan.

4. What sweets are served during Nepali festivals?
During festivals like Dashain and Tihar, sweets such as Sel Roti, Laddu, Kheer, and Yomari are commonly prepared and served. These sweets hold cultural significance and are shared with family and friends.

5. Can I find Nepali sweets outside of Nepal?
Yes, Nepali sweets can be found in Nepali communities around the world, particularly in Indian and Nepali sweet shops. However, the freshest and most authentic versions are best enjoyed in Nepal.

6. Are Nepali sweets similar to Indian sweets?
Nepali sweets share some similarities with Indian sweets due to the common use of ingredients like ghee, sugar, and milk. Sweets like Jeri (similar to Jalebi) and Laddu are common in both countries, but each has its own unique variations and cultural significance.

7. What’s the best way to enjoy Sel Roti?
Sel Roti is often enjoyed with a cup of chiya (Nepali spiced tea) or served with yogurt or spicy pickles. The combination of sweet and savory flavors makes it an excellent snack or breakfast item.

8. Is Kheer always made with rice?
While Kheer is traditionally made with rice, it can also be prepared with other grains like semolina or broken wheat. The preparation remains the same, with milk, sugar, and cardamom being the key ingredients.

9. What is Yomari Punhi?
Yomari Punhi is a Newari festival in Nepal that celebrates the rice harvest. During this festival, families prepare Yomari, sweet dumplings made from rice flour filled with molasses or thickened milk, as a symbol of prosperity.

10. Are there any glutenfree Nepali sweets?
Yes, many Nepali sweets are naturally glutenfree, as they are made from rice flour or lentil flour. Sel Roti and Yomari are examples of glutenfree sweets that you can enjoy without worry.

Conclusion

Nepali cuisine offers a diverse and flavorful array of sweet treats that reflect the country’s cultural richness and love for simple, yet delicious, food.

From the crispy sweetness of Sel Roti to the comforting warmth of Kheer, these sweets are an essential part of Nepali celebrations and everyday life. Whether you’re visiting Nepal or exploring Nepali cuisine from afar, trying these seven sweet treats will give you a true taste of the country’s culinary heritage.

Each of these desserts has a story to tell, representing the unique regions, festivals, and traditions of Nepal. So the next time you find yourself in a Nepali sweet shop or at a family gathering, don’t miss the opportunity to indulge in these delightful treats.

Your journey into Nepali sweets will leave you craving more and deepen your appreciation for the rich flavors of this beautiful country.