Samyabaji (Newari)

Samyabaji is a popular Newari dish that is usually prepared & eaten during special occasions & festivals as part of the celebrations. Samyabaji is known for its taste, uniqueness and its blend of natural spices that make it a dish to be savored. It is in reality a dish that comprises of numerous dishes.

The main dish or the principal dish is the mouthwatering “choela” or buffalo meat marinated and prepared with a range of exotic spices.

In addition to that samyabaji also includes a host of other smaller dishes like:-

·        beaten rice which is both common and popular among Nepalis

·        black soya bean

·        boiled potato (marinated)

·        boiled egg

·        pickle or pickles

·        spinach

·        garlic & ginger

·        dried fish

·        bara or fried black lentil pancake which is somewhat soft and squishy

·        black peas

The dish is served with a glass of thwo or local white wine. Curd a drink that is similar to lassi, only thicker, is offered once the dish is eaten to help with digestion. Both curd and lassi are also common remedies for stomach ailments.

To make bara or black gram pancake takes some doing. Black lentils have to be soaked overnight before their ground into paste the following day and flattened out and thrown into a frying pan with an array of spices. The round shape is especially significant because it is symbolic of the gods that are worshipped during the celebrations.

Likewise, black peas are also soaked in water overnight and thrown into a pan together with simmering olive oil. Salt, turmeric powder and chili powder are added to taste.

The boiled egg that is served with each plate is probably the easiest to prepare and it is served after it’s fried in oil with a pinch of salt added to it.

The spinach is boiled for about 10 minutes before it is fried with oil, soya, salt, red chili powder and cumin powder.

The choela or the star of the show is not always made from buffalo meat and it is sometimes made from goat or chicken meat. In addition to that, Nepali potato salad or aloo ko achar is also sometimes served with the dish.

Samyabaji is a dish that has been handed down through the ages and it is symbolic of good health, prosperity, and longevity. It’s a dish that is relished by all Nepalis and all Nepali food lovers.

Writer: Rasana Shrestha