Nepal has a rich culinary tradition that includes a variety of spices, vegetables, fruits, lentils, cereals, and more. If you’re looking to teach Nepali to your kids or simply want to understand the English names of common Nepali food ingredients, this guide will help you.
Spices, Herbs, and Nuts (मसला, जडीबुटी, र कडा फलफूल)
Nepali cuisine heavily relies on spices and herbs to add flavor and aroma to food. Here are some common spices and herbs used in Nepali cooking, along with their English names:
| Nepali Name | English Name |
|---|---|
| अलैंची (Alaichi) | Black Cardamom |
| अदुवा (Aduwa) | Ginger (Zingiber officinale) |
| अमला (Amala) | Gooseberry |
| अझिना (Ajina) | Ajinomoto / Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) |
| आलस (Aalas) | Flaxseed |
| कागती (Kagati) | Lemon |
| काजु (Kaju) | Cashew |
| किसमिस (Kismis) | Raisin |
| केसर (Kesar) | Saffron |
| खोर्सानी (Khorsani) | Chilli, Pepper |
| जिरा (Jira) | Cumin |
| ज्वानो (Jwano) | Lovage / Ajwain / Carom Seed / Thyme |
| जाईफल (Jaifal) | Nutmeg (Mace: its covering) |
| टिमुर (Timur) | Sichuan Pepper |
| तेज पत्ता (Tej Patta) | Bay Leaf |
| तील (Teel) | Sesame Seed |
| तित्री (Titri) / इम्ली (Imli) | Tamarind |
| तुलसी (Tulsi) | Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum) |
| तोरी (Tori) | Mustard |
| दाल चिनी (Daal Chini) | Cinnamon (Cassia Bark is similar) |
| धनिया (Dhaniya – दाना) | Coriander Seed |
| धनिया (Dhaniya – पत्ता) | Cilantro / Coriander Leaves |
| पानको पात (Paan) | Betel Leaf (Piper betle) |
| पिस्ता (Pista) | Pistachio |
| पुदिना (Padina) | Mint |
| प्याज (Pyaj) | Onion |
| प्याज को पत्ता (Pyaj ko Patta) | Scallion |
| बदाम (Badaam) | Peanuts |
| बिरे नून (Bire Noon) | Black Salt |
| बेसार (Besar) | Turmeric (Curcuma longa) |
| बोझो (Bojho) | Calamus / Sweet Flag (Acorus calamus) |
| मरिच (Marich) | Black Pepper |
| मेथी (Methi) | Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) |
| मिश्री (Mishri) | Rock Sugar / Rock Candy |
| लसुन (Lasun) | Garlic |
| ल्वांग (Lwang) | Cloves |
| सुकमेल (Sukmel) | Green Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) |
| सुपाडी (Supadi) | Areca Nut / Betel Nut |
| हाडे बदाम (Hade-badaam) | Almonds |
| हिङ्ग (Hing) | Asafoetida |
Vegetables (तरकारी/ सागसब्जी)
| Nepali Name | English Name |
|---|---|
| मुला (Mula) | Radish |
| पालुङ्गो (Palungo) | Spinach |
| बैगुन / भन्टा (Baigun / Bhanta) | Eggplant |
| कुरिलो (Kurilo) | Asparagus |
| फर्सी (Farsi) | Pumpkin |
| बोडी (Bodi) | Black Eyed Peas |
| सजिना (Sajina) | Drumstick / Moringa |
Fruits (फलफूल)
| Nepali Name | English Name |
|---|---|
| आलुबखडा (Aalubakhada) | Plum (Prunes when dried) |
| ऐंसेलु (Ainselu) | Raspberry |
| अमला (Amala) | Gooseberry |
| अम्बक (Ambak / Ambaa) | Guava |
| अनार (Anaar) | Pomegranate |
| अनारस (Anaras) | Pineapple |
| अंगुर (Angur) | Grapes |
| काफल (Kaaphal) | Bayberry |
| किम्बु (Kimbu) | Mulberry |
| कोला/ केरा (Kola / Kera) | Banana |
| खरबुजा (Kharbuja) | Watermelon |
| गाजर (Gaazar) | Carrot |
| तरुल (Tarul) | Yam |
| नासपाती (Naspati) | Pear |
| बयर (Bayar) | Greenberry |
| बेल (Bel) | Wood Apple (Aegle marmelos) |
| मेवा (Mewa) | Papaya |
| स्याउ (Syau) | Apple |
| सुन्तला (Suntala) | Orange |
| हलुवाबेद (Haluwabed) | Persimmon |
Cereals and Grains (अनाज / अन्न)
| Nepali Name | English Name |
|---|---|
| चामल / धान (Chaamal / Dhaan) | Rice / Paddy |
| च्युरा (Cheura) | Beaten Rice |
| भुजा / मुरी / मुरै (Murai / Bhuja) | Puffed Rice |
| गहुँ (Gahun) | Wheat |
| जौ (Jau) | Barley |
| जई (Jai) / ओट (Oat) | Oat |
| कोदो (Kodo) | Millet |
| फापर (Fapar) | Buckwheat |
| मकै (Makai) | Corn / Maize |
| सुजी (Suji) | Semolina |
Lentils and Beans (दाल / गेडागुडी)
| Nepali Name | English Name |
|---|---|
| गहत (Gahat ko Dal) | Horse Gram Lentils |
| कालो / मासको दाल (Mas / Kalo Dal) | Black Gram Bean |
| मुसुरो / रातोको दाल (Musuro / Rato Dal) | Red Lentils |
| रहरको दाल (Rahar ko Dal) | Pigeon Pea |
| राजमा (Rajma) | Red Kidney Beans |
This list provides a useful reference for Nepali food ingredients in English. Whether you are learning Nepali, traveling to Nepal, or just exploring Nepali cuisine, knowing these names will be helpful.