What Is Chiya? A Beginner's Guide to Nepal's Favourite Drink

Ask anyone in Kathmandu what they drink first thing in the morning and the answer is almost always the same: chiya. The word simply means tea in Nepali, but in everyday life it means something more specific: a hot, sweet, milky tea brewed in a pan and poured into a small glass.

How chiya is made

Unlike a tea bag dropped into hot water, Nepali chiya is boiled. Tea leaves, water, milk and sugar go into one pan and simmer together until the colour turns a deep caramel brown. That long, gentle boil is what gives chiya its body and its slightly toasted flavour.

At home, most families have their own small variations: a little more milk, a pinch of crushed ginger in winter, a cardamom pod on special days. That is part of the charm. There is no single "correct" chiya.

The main types you'll see

On almost any Nepali tea menu you'll find a few core styles:

• Milk tea (dudh chiya): the everyday classic, sweet and creamy.
• Masala tea: milk tea brewed with spices such as ginger, cardamom and clove.
• Black tea (kalo chiya): no milk, lighter and brighter.
• Lemon tea: black tea with fresh lemon, popular after a heavy meal.

At Chiya Table you'll also see cutting tea (a half glass) and matka tea (served in a clay cup). We explain both in separate articles in our journal.

Why chiya matters

Chiya is how Nepal says welcome. It's offered to guests the moment they arrive, shared during long conversations, and sipped at roadside stalls between errands. A cup of chiya is often the excuse for the conversation, not the other way round.

That idea is at the heart of our cafe. We built Chiya Table around a simple promise: good chiya and better conversations.

How to enjoy chiya like a local

1. Drink it hot. Chiya is served piping hot, and most people sip slowly while it cools.
2. Pair it with a snack. Biscuits, sel roti or something fried are classic partners.
3. Order another. One cup is rarely enough when the conversation is good.

Try it at Chiya Table

If you're in Kathmandu, come and try ours on Kotdevi Marg. Our menu starts with a cutting tea at Rs. 30, and our masala tea is Rs. 50. We open early, at 5:00 AM, so you can start your day the Nepali way. Find directions on our visit page.