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Spices of Kathmandu

Nepal's capital, where the old Asan market sells spices, and a home of timur, the Nepali Sichuan-type pepper.

Kathmandu

Traded and grown here

Zanthoxylum armatumCardamomCumin

Best time: October to November, and March to April.

Kathmandu has long been a trading crossroads between India and Tibet. Its old bazaars, such as Asan, sell spices, herbs and household goods, and Nepali cooking uses timur, jimbu, cumin and coriander.

Kathmandu, vue aérienne au décollage
Photo: Royonx, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Spices and trade

Timur is a citrus-scented pepper related to Sichuan pepper, used in pickles and chutneys. Jimbu is a dried Himalayan herb in the onion family used to season dal. Cardamom, grown in eastern Nepal, is a major export.

The place and its people

The Newar community of the valley has a rich food tradition, with festival feasts and seasonal dishes. Momo dumplings are popular across the city.

Visiting

Asan Tole is busy and fragrant, and the lanes around it sell spice mixes and dry goods.

A trail idea for Kathmandu

  1. Asan Tole Walk the old market.
  2. A spice stall Ask for timur and jimbu.
  3. Durbar Square See the old palace squares.
  4. A Newari meal Try a Newari feast.
About this page

Written by the EveryMasala desk with AI assistance. Background: "Kathmandu" on Wikipedia. Opening hours, markets and tours change; check locally before travelling. If something is wrong, tell us.

PartSeedBarkRootFlowerFruitChilliLeafResinBulbStigmaBlendPasteSeasoning
FlavourHot and fieryWarm and sweet-spicedSweet and mellowEarthy and deepCitrus and brightSharp and pungentSmokyFloral and perfumedBitterAnise and liquoriceSour and tartSavoury and umamiNumbing and tinglingHerbal and green
MealBreakfastLunchDinnerSupperSnacks and tea timeDrinksDesserts and sweetsStreet foodPickles and preservesFeasts and banquets
🇳🇵 Nepal and 1 moreJimbu A dried wild onion herb from the Himalayas, used to season lentils and meat.Leaf · Sharp and pungent · Herbal and green

Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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