Meet
Pranathi
Pranathi is a Kathmandu-based food tour host, multidisciplinary artist and sustainable-living practitioner with a background in architecture, permaculture and landscaping. Originally from South India, she has called Nepal home for more than a decade.
Her experience growing food, cooking seasonal meals and preparing herbal infusions gives guests an insightful introduction to Kathmandu’s markets and culinary traditions. During the tour, Pranathi helps travelers understand how local produce, grains, spices and medicinal herbs are grown, traded and used in everyday Nepali cooking.
Her perspective bridges South Indian and Nepali food cultures while highlighting the relationships between cuisine, agriculture, architecture and the natural environment. Through conversations with market vendors and local food makers, Pranathi offers a personal and engaging way to discover Ason Market, traditional ingredients and Kathmandu’s living food heritage.
What to expect
Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.
Food Tour:
(1-8 guests)
Discover Kathmandu’s food culture on a private food tour through Ason Market and Patan. Explore local markets, taste traditional Newari food and Nepali sweets, visit an Ayurvedic herb shop and enjoy a premium organic Nepali tea tasting while learning how the Kathmandu Valley shops, cooks and eats.
Your host, Pranathi, has lived in Nepal for over a decade and brings her knowledge of permaculture, seasonal cooking, herbal preparations and sustainable living to the experience.
Begin at Ason, one of Kathmandu’s oldest and liveliest markets. Walk among colorful stalls filled with seasonal produce, grains, lentils, spices and traditional Nepali ingredients as Pranathi shares how they are grown, traded and used in local kitchens. Visit a traditional Ayurvedic or dried-herb shop to discover culinary and medicinal plants, herbal infusions and household remedies.
Next, travel by private taxi to Patan, known for its rich Newari heritage and food traditions. Enjoy a professional tasting of up to five premium certified organic Nepali teas from Jun Chiyabari, accompanied by premium dried fruits.
Continue to a local sweet shop to sample freshly made specialties such as jeri-swari or malpuwa, depending on what is available that day. Finish with a tasting of traditional Newari dishes, which may include bara, choila, beaten rice, seasonal vegetables and pickles, ideally near historic Patan Durbar Square.
This private Kathmandu food tour is designed for curious food lovers who want to experience Nepal through its markets, ingredients, makers and culinary traditions. Tastings and stops may vary based on season and availability.
Want to explore more? With advance notice, the experience can be personalized to include momos, Tibetan dishes, dal bhat, Mithila cuisine, modern Nepali cooking, farm-to-table dining or a Nepali-inspired mixology class featuring local ingredients and flavors.
Notes:
Your experience begins at Ason Market and ends near Kathmandu Durbar Square. You can expect to walk approximately 2–3 kilometers (1.25–2 miles) at a relaxed pace, with frequent stops for tastings and conversations with local vendors. Please wear comfortable walking shoes, as some streets may be busy, narrow or uneven.
Languages spoken:
English, Nepali, Hindi, Kannada
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