Dal Bhat
Dal Bhat is the traditional and most important meal in Nepal, consisting of steamed rice (bhat) and lentil soup (dal). It is usually served with a variety of side dishes such as vegetable curry (tarkari), greens (saag), and spicy pickles (achar). This wholesome and balanced meal provides essential nutrients and energy, making it a daily staple for people across the country.
> 60min
Normal
Mildly Spicy
This dish, consumed by Nepalese people at both daily meals, is composed of
- White rice (bhat),
- Lentils (dal) served spiced in a bowl, with their cooking liquid. The lentils are black, red or yellow,
- One or more vegetable curries (tarkari), generally lighter and less rich in heavy dairy products than what one might find with a Thali,
- Possibly combined with green vegetables, such as spinach or mustard greens,
- One or more pickles (achars),
- Possibly with a sauce (chutney),
- Possibly with lamb, mutton/goat, pork, buff, chicken or fish,
- Optionally sliced cucumbers, radishes, onions and carrots,
- And finally curd or raita served in a small bowl.
Each family prepares Dal Bhat according to their own tastes, using seasonal vegetables, and whether they want to serve it with meat or fish. Therefore, there isn’t one single, definitive recipe, but hundreds of different ones.
Create your own Dal Bhat with the different recipes you can find on our website.
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