Dal Bhat – The National Dish of Nepal (Authentic Nepali Recipe)

What Is Dal Bhat? (Nepal’s National Dish)

Dal Bhat is the heart of Nepali cuisine — a wholesome meal made with lentil soup, steamed rice, vegetable curry (tarkari), pickles (achar), and sometimes meat curry. Eaten twice a day in most Nepali homes, Dal Bhat is balanced, nutritious, comforting, and deeply tied to Nepali culture.

It represents fuel for the mountains, famously referenced by trekkers as “Dal Bhat power, 24 hour!”

Ingredients (Serves 4)

For the Dal (Lentil Soup):

  • 1 cup yellow lentils (moong dal or masoor dal)

  • 4 cups water

  • 1 small onion, finely chopped

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 inch ginger, grated

  • 1 tomato, chopped

  • 1–2 green chilies, slit

  • ½ tsp turmeric

  • 1 tsp cumin seeds

  • 1 tsp ghee or oil

  • Salt to taste

For the Bhat (Steamed Rice):

  • 2 cups rice

  • 4 cups water

  • Pinch of salt

For Tarkari (Vegetable Curry):

  • 2 potatoes, cubed

  • 1 cup cauliflower florets

  • 1 cup green beans or carrots

  • 1 tomato, chopped

  • 1 tsp cumin

  • 1 tsp coriander powder

  • ½ tsp turmeric

  • Salt to taste

  • Oil for cooking

For Achar (Pickle):

  • 1 cucumber or tomato, diced

  • ½ tsp chili powder

  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

  • Salt to taste

How to Make Dal Bhat – Step-by-Step

STEP 1: Cook the Rice (Bhat)

  1. Rinse rice until the water runs clear.

  2. Add water and a pinch of salt.

  3. Cook until soft and fluffy.

STEP 2: Prepare the Dal

  1. Rinse lentils and boil with turmeric and salt until soft.

  2. In a pan, heat ghee or oil.

  3. Add cumin seeds, onion, garlic, ginger, and chilies.

  4. Cook until golden and fragrant.

  5. Add tomato and sauté.

  6. Pour this mixture into the boiled lentils (tadka).

  7. Simmer for 5 minutes.

STEP 3: Make the Tarkari (Vegetable Curry)

  1. Heat oil and add cumin.

  2. Add potatoes, cauliflower, beans, and turmeric.

  3. Stir and cover for 10 minutes.

  4. Add tomatoes, coriander powder, and salt.

  5. Cook until vegetables are tender.

STEP 4: Prepare the Achar

Mix chopped cucumber/tomato with salt, chili powder, and lemon juice.

STEP 5: Serve the Dal Bhat

Plate steamed rice, pour dal over, add tarkari, achar, and optional meat curry.

Why Dal Bhat Is Nepal’s National Dish

Dal Bhat is:

  • Nutritious — high in protein, fiber, vitamins, and carbs

  • Affordable — made with local ingredients

  • Customizable — varies by region (Mountain Dal Bhat, Terai Dal Bhat, Newari-style)

  • Cultural — a daily staple for millions of Nepali families

It’s more than food — it’s Nepali hospitality on a plate.

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