In Nepal, I checked out a locally owned grocery store in Kirtipur, where I was staying in a home stay!

Home stays are the best way to experience authentic food abroad, with my host mother, Ama (meaning ‘mother’ in Nepali), preparing a wide range of typical Nepali dishes throughout my stay. 

One of Ama’s specialities is dal bhat, which is rice and lentils and the national dish of Nepal. I loved Ama’s cooking so much that while away on the two week Everest Base Camp trek, I ordered dal bhat for almost every meal just to have a taste of home—and to fit in with Sherpa guides, trekkers, and even the t-shirts, which poetically proclaim:

“Dal bhat power, 24-hour, no toilet, no shower!”

My host brother, Aashish, helped me stock up on snacks and essentials before the trek, too—including cashews and aloo bhujia for between tea house breaks; Oreos, Snickers and mango juice for the mandatory mountain-side sugar rush; and Digestive biscuits, Happydent chewing gum, wet wipes and toilet roll—no explanation needed. 

We also checked out with some staples for the home stay. Grain rice was included plus chiura in Nepali or baji in Nepal Bhasa language—which is a beaten rice common in Newa dishes like samay baji—and noodles, masala spice mix, and mango pickle.

A special mention must be made to mint tea, which I drank every day during both the ABC and EBC treks, and makhana, which are lotus seeds with incredible health benefits and my host sister, Suju’s, favourite snack.

As well as black salt, something I encourage travellers to discover for themselves, hidden in unsuspecting local lemonades or as a garnish for pieces of papaya. 

A big thank you to my home stay family at Nepal Welcomes You— if you’re looking for the best food and the best friends in all of Nepal, this is it.