Food from Nepal: Newari Chataamari

Chataamari Newari Food
Traditional Newari food Chataamari
Traditional Newari food: Chataamari

Traditional Nepalese food: Newari Chataamari

This is Nepal’s version of a rice based pizza that more commonly turns into a crepe or kebab.

Chataamari (Chatānmari/चतांमरि) is an authentic Newari dish from the people of Kathmandu valley. Chataamari is also my favorite Newari food as it’s generally not as spicy hot as other traditional dishes.

Do check out some more traditional Newari foods here.

What is Newari Chataamari made from?

The base is made from rice flour and water. It’s very light and fluffy. The toppings vary a little but generally I’ve found that chickpeas, tomato, onion and a mix of chili, garlic and peppers are most common. Meat such as pork or chicken can be added along with cheese if it’s being used as a main meal.

Variations of Chataamari

I’ve really only seen two types of Chataamari. Both are cooked the same way in a flat pan. The difference is that one is served like a pizza with all the ingredients shown on top. The other is served folded in half.

Chataamari is commonly served in small portions as an appetizer but can also be served as a full meal in larger quantities.

Chataamari rice pizza: traditional Nepalese food
Chataamari rice pizza: traditional Nepalese food

In both cases the rice flour base is not as strong as wheat flour bases so it tends to fall apart quickly. This is definitely finger food!

Where to find Chataamari?

Chataamari is a traditional Newari food. As such it’s more commonly found in and around the Kathmandu valley. Most good Newari restaurants will serve Chataamari. Outside of the Kathmandu valley it’s harder to get.

It’s commonly used as snack food in the late afternoon or at night when it’s easily found in many eateries around Kathmandu city.

What does Chataamari taste like?

It’s really good. Being quite used to very hot chili infused Newari food I found Chataamari to be delightfully different. The rice flour base is light and makes for a very different type of pizza type food or kebab. While the topping is full of different subtle flavors without anything being too overpowering.

Newari Chataamari is definitely one of the best traditional Nepalese foods I’ve tasted and I wholeheartedly recommend you to try and seek it out.

This is an additional post featuring Nepalese food

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14 Replies to “Food from Nepal: Newari Chataamari”

  1. Pingback: @namasteadv
  2. Looks so different to anything else I’ve seen. A rice flour base is not something I would have considered before. Is it filling?

  3. Great to see traditional food I never knew about getting some publicity. I might never get to eat it, but it’s nice to know it exists!

  4. Pingback: @ourtastytravels
  5. Ha ha, they had Pizza way back then. I guess this was before the Italians had theirs?

  6. I’m sitting in a restaurant in Kathmandu right now. Just got here so I didn’t know about this dish. Will give it a try for sure!

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