Sherpa Food Guide: What to Eat on Everest Trekking Trails

Fueling Your Body for the Mount Everest Expedition Route

Eat Like a Local

While pizza and burgers are available, traditional Sherpa food is the best fuel for Everest trekking. Adapted for high altitude, these dishes provide the energy needed for the long hike to Everest Base Camp.

Sherpa Stew (Syakpa)

This potato-based soup with vegetables and meat is a staple. It is rich in liquid, helping with hydration, and easy to digest—perfect for dinners at high altitude during your Everest expedition approach.

Sherpa Stew on Everest Trek
Tsampa Porridge

Roasted barley flour, known as Tsampa, is the traditional breakfast of mountaineers. It is dense in energy and sits well in the stomach, fueling Sherpas on their way to the Mount Everest summit.

Potato Pancakes (Riki Kur)

Grated potatoes mixed with flour and fried, served with spicy cheese sauce. This is a comfort food favorite among trekkers and climbers resting at Everest Base Camp.

Nutritious and Delicious

Embracing local cuisine connects you with the culture and often results in better health on the trail compared to eating processed western foods.