Food · Bishazari Tal
Taas lunch in Bharatpur
After the lakes, stop in Bharatpur or Narayangadh for Chitwan's best-known dish: taas, goat meat marinated in spices and fried, served with crisp beaten rice, onion, chilli and pickle. It is a simple, filling meal and a local favourite.
Taas is to Chitwan what momo is to Kathmandu: a dish people drive across the valley to eat. Small shops in Bharatpur and Narayangadh marinate goat meat with garlic, ginger, cumin and chilli, then fry it in mustard oil until the edges crisp. Many shops prepare the meat in the morning and fry it to order, so lunchtime plates are the freshest.
It comes on a plate with chiura, beaten rice, plus sliced raw onion, green chilli, a tomato or radish pickle and sometimes a small bowl of soup. Chicken and pork versions are common too. Eat it with your hands, mixing a little of everything in each bite. A cold drink or a glass of lassi balances the heat of the chilli.
Ask your guide for their favourite shop; most are simple, busy places with plastic chairs and a kitchen in full view. Go at lunchtime when the meat is freshly fried. Vegetarians can try local thali sets instead. Expect to pay little; taas is sold by the plate or by weight, and shops are busiest from late morning to early afternoon.
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Questions
What is taas in Chitwan?
Taas is marinated meat, usually goat, fried in mustard oil until crisp at the edges and served with beaten rice, raw onion, green chilli and pickle. It is strongly associated with Chitwan, especially Bharatpur and Narayangadh, and is a popular lunch with travellers on the highway.
Where can I eat taas near Bishazari Tal?
Bharatpur and Narayangadh, about 15 to 20 minutes from the lakes, have many small taas shops. Ask your guide or driver for a busy one, where the meat is freshly fried. Prices are low, and portions are usually ordered by weight or plate.
Is there a vegetarian version of taas?
Taas is a meat dish, but shops often serve other foods. Vegetarians can order a dal bhat thali, beaten rice with pickles and vegetables, or snacks like samosa and pakoda. Some restaurants offer paneer or mushroom dishes cooked in a similar style.
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