Food & dishes · Nepal
Chatamari: The Newari Rice Crepe
A thin rice-flour crepe topped with minced meat, egg and spices, chatamari is the Newari dish often dubbed 'Nepali pizza'.
Round, thin and crowned with toppings, chatamari has earned itself the affectionate nickname "Nepali pizza." But this Newari rice-flour crepe is its own thing entirely: lighter, softer and tied to the festival culture of the Kathmandu Valley.
The short answer
Chatamari is a thin savoury crepe of rice-flour batter, cooked on a hot pan and topped with minced meat, egg, vegetables and spices. A staple of Newari cuisine, it is eaten as a snack or part of a feast. Try it in Bhaktapur, Patan or old Kathmandu, ideally fresh off the pan with a meat-and-egg topping.
What it's made of
The base is simple; the toppings make it:
- Rice-flour batter — thinned with water and spread into a circle.
- Minced meat — usually buffalo or chicken (optional).
- Egg — cracked on top and cooked into the crepe.
- Vegetables — peas, onion, tomato and green chilli.
- Spices and herbs — cumin, ginger, coriander and timur.
Unlike a pizza, there is no rising dough; the soft rice base is closer to a savoury pancake.
How it's cooked and eaten
The batter is poured onto a hot, lightly oiled pan and spread thin. Toppings are scattered on the wet surface, and the crepe is covered so the egg sets and the base crisps slightly at the edges. It is eaten warm, by hand or cut into wedges, as a snack or as one dish among many in a Newari spread. It pairs naturally with other valley favourites such as momo and the platters of samay baji.
Regional and cultural context
Chatamari is a Newari dish of the Kathmandu Valley, traditionally made for festivals and special occasions rather than as everyday food, though today it is enjoyed any time. It appears at feasts alongside choila, bara and beaten rice, and is sometimes offered during religious gatherings. Like much of the valley's cooking, it reflects the Newars' fondness for rice-based dishes and elaborate, shareable food, a hallmark of the wider Nepali food and drink scene.
Variations to look for
| Variation | What changes |
|---|---|
| Plain chatamari | Just the rice crepe |
| Egg chatamari | Topped with egg |
| Meat chatamari | Minced buff or chicken plus egg |
| Veg chatamari | Peas, onion and vegetables |
Where to try it
The Kathmandu Valley is the place for chatamari. Bhaktapur is excellent for it; combine a tasting with our guide to Bhaktapur Newari food. In the capital, Newari restaurants and the best restaurants in Kathmandu serve it, often as part of a sampler platter. To understand the cuisine it belongs to, read about Newari cuisine and the ceremonial samay baji it often accompanies, and brush up with our Nepal culture and etiquette notes before a feast.
For travellers new to Newari food, chatamari is one of the gentlest introductions. The flavours are familiar enough — eggs, minced meat, onion and herbs — yet the soft rice base makes it distinctly Nepali, and a plain or vegetable version is easy to order if you are unsure about spice or meat. Watching it cooked to order on a hot pan is half the fun, so look for a stall or kitchen where you can see the crepes being made fresh.
Soft, savoury and topped to order, chatamari is one of the most approachable ways into the deep and delicious world of Newari food.
Frequently asked questions
What is chatamari?+
Chatamari is a thin, savoury crepe made from rice-flour batter, a classic of Newari cuisine in the Kathmandu Valley. It is often topped with minced meat, egg, vegetables and spices, which is why it is nicknamed 'Nepali pizza'.
Why is chatamari called Nepali pizza?+
Because of its round shape and the toppings spread across the surface — minced buffalo or chicken, egg, onion and herbs. The comparison is loose, since chatamari has a soft rice base rather than a bready crust, but the look invites it.
What is chatamari made of?+
A batter of rice flour and water is spread thin on a hot pan, then toppings such as minced meat, egg, peas, onion, tomato and spices are added on top as it cooks. It can also be made plain or with just egg.
How do you eat chatamari?+
It is eaten as a snack or part of a Newari meal, often by hand or cut into pieces. It appears at feasts and festivals and pairs well with other Newari dishes and a glass of rice beer.
Is chatamari vegetarian?+
It can be. Plain chatamari or versions topped with vegetables and egg are common, and you can ask for it without meat. Many Newari kitchens offer both meat and veg versions.
