Nepalese vs Indian Food: What’s the Difference?

Is Nepalese food like Indian food? How the two cuisines differ, from momo, sekuwa and timur to tandoor and creamy curries. Plus is Nepalese food spicy?

People often ask us whether Nepalese food is “basically Indian”. The two cuisines share a border, spices and plenty of dishes, but they taste different once you know what to look for. As a restaurant that cooks both, here’s how we’d explain it.

What Nepalese and Indian food have in common

Lentils, rice and curries at the centre of the meal. Nepal’s everyday dal bhat (lentils and rice) is close to an Indian thali.
Shared spices such as cumin, coriander, turmeric, ginger and garlic.
Breads, pickles (achar) and yoghurt on the side.

How Nepalese food is different

Dumplings and noodles. Momo and chowmein come from Nepal’s Himalayan and Tibetan influences, and you won’t find them on a traditional Indian menu.
Chargrilling. Sekuwa is meat marinated in Nepali spices and cooked over fire, smoky rather than saucy.
Timur pepper. A citrusy, tingly relative of Sichuan pepper that gives many Nepali achars their signature buzz.
Fermented and tangy flavours. Dishes like aloo bodi tama use fermented bamboo shoots for a sour, savoury depth.
Lighter, brothier dishes. Jhol momo and Nepali curries tend to use less cream and butter than North Indian restaurant curries.
Newari snacks. From Kathmandu Valley come choila (spiced grilled meat), chatpate and sadeko, punchy dishes eaten with a drink.

How Indian food is different

The tandoor. North Indian cooking is famous for clay-oven breads and meats: naan, tandoori chicken and tikka.
Rich, creamy curries. Butter chicken, korma, makhani and paneer dishes lean on cream, butter, nuts and tomato.
Huge regional range. South India brings dosa, coconut and curry leaves; Goa brings vindaloo; Kashmir brings rogan josh.

Is Nepalese food spicy?

It can be. Nepalese cooking uses fresh chilli and timur generously, especially in achar and snacks like piro aloo. But the dishes themselves are often milder than they look, and the heat usually sits in the sauce on the side, so you control it.

Is Nepalese food healthy?

Much of it is naturally light: steamed momo, grilled sekuwa, lentils, vegetables and rice, with less cream than many Indian restaurant curries. As with any cuisine, fried snacks and big portions add up.

Try both in one meal

At Avatar you can order Nepalese and Indian side by side. A good first combination is steam or jhol momo and chicken sekuwa to start, then butter chicken, Himalayan goat and dal makhani with garlic naan. See the full menu, or start with our momo guide.

Frequently asked questions

Is Nepalese food similar to Indian food?

They share lentils, rice, curries and many spices, but Nepalese food adds momo, chargrilled sekuwa, timur pepper and fermented flavours, and usually uses less cream.

What is Nepalese food known for?

Momo (dumplings), dal bhat (lentils and rice), sekuwa (chargrilled meat), choila, and tangy achar made with tomato, sesame and timur.

Is Nepalese food spicier than Indian food?

Not necessarily. Nepalese dishes often keep the heat in the achar on the side, so you can make them as mild or hot as you like.

Where can I try Nepalese food in Bundoora?

Avatar Indian & Nepalese Restaurant at 12 Copernicus Crescent, Bundoora serves momo, sekuwa, choila, sadeko and Himalayan goat alongside Indian classics.

Hungry now? Order online, book a table or browse the full menu. Avatar Indian & Nepalese Restaurant, 12 Copernicus Crescent, Bundoora · (03) 9191 5003.