Is Nepal vegan friendly? Yes! Nepal is one of the many destinations where vegans need not worry about limited food choices. This is partly thanks to the location: - situated in the lap of the Himalayas, the country is blessed with fertile soil and abundant greenery, and thus the Nepalese enjoy a rich plant-based diet. It's also partly thanks to culture: - following the dictates of their religion, a portion of the Hindu and Buddhist population follow a strict vegan (or vegetarian) diet.
Being Vegan In Nepal
Nepalese Plant-Based Diet: Fit for a Vegan
- Dal, bhaat, tarkaari or lentil soup, rice, and vegetable curry are the staple of Nepalese cuisine.
- Green leafy vegetables like mustard greens, spinach, amaranth, bok choy, and the tender edible leaves and stems of seasonal vegetables (pumpkin, chayote, etc.) are fried or blanched with aromatic spices and herbs.
- Protein-rich broth made from pulses like kidney beans, black-eyed peas, chickpeas, etc., are quite popular and relished with gusto.
- Nepalese traditional cuisine has several dishes prepared from vegetables like potatoes, eggplant, French beans, cabbage, cauliflower, bitter gourd, okra, taro leaves, pumpkin, etc.
- Prickly nettle leaves which are found widely all over the Himalayas are picked and cooked with herbs. Nettle soup is in fact a rare Himalayan delicacy.
Vegan Choices at Nepalese Restaurants and Stores
At stores in Nepal, you can shop for dried fruit, nuts, dark chocolate, trail mix, oats, and fresh fruits. Most departmental stores stock up on soy milk and almond milk, a much-needed vegan item. If you are staying at a place where you can prepare your food, you can purchase fresh vegetables and other vegan items from the supermarket or the local bazaar and prepare your favourite vegan meal.
Words to avoid
- Meat - मासु - Māsu
- Beef - मासु - Māsu
- Pork - सुँगुरको मासु - Sum̐gurakō māsu
- Chicken - कुखुरा - Kukhurā
- Lamb - थुमा - Thumā
- Dairy - दुग्ध - Dugdha
- Milk - दूध - Dūdha
- Cheese - पनीर - Panīra
- Yoghut - दही - dahī
- Cream - क्रीम - krīma
- Eggs - अण्डा - Aṇḍā
- Honey - मह - Maha
Vegan Food while Trekking in Nepal
Popular trekking trails like the Everest and Annapurna have teahouses serving a variety of Nepalese, Indian and western dishes. If you book your trek with a reputed local adventure company like Nepal Hiking Team, your dietary needs will always be well looked after. You won't have to worry whether your meal is vegan. The company's staff will ensure that your food is pure vegan. You can intimate them about your dietary needs while booking your trip, and they in turn will make sure that you get served the right food. Some of the popular treks chosen by vegan trekkers are the Everest Base Camp Trek – 16 Days, Annapurna Base Camp Trek – 14 Days, Manaslu Circuit Trek – 17 days, Annapurna Circuit Trek – 14 Days, and Tsum Valley with Manaslu Trek – 21 Days etc. If you are a vegan looking for the ideal destination to spend your holiday, Nepal could be your dream destination. So, pack your bags and head to the Himalayan mountains! Also, here is a video about being vegan in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal:
ABOUTME
Hi! I'm Laura, I travel the world full-time and 100% vegan. Travel made me vegan - find out more here: How Travel Made Me Vegan
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