Search
Pioneer of Tibet Tourism for Overseas Travelers since 1984!
Tibetan Snacks: Never Miss the Taste of Our Local Tibetan Snacks
Savoring the flavorful Tibetan snacks is a must-have experience on your Tibet tour. From chewy dried yak jerky and tangy Tibetan cheese to buttery yogurt, crispy fried potatoes, chilled bean jelly, and beyond, every bite offers a unique Tibetan flavor and gives you a deeper taste of Tibet’s rich food culture.
So, please join us to explore our most beloved local Tibetan snacks, plus our insider tips to make the most of your culinary discovery on the Roof of the World.
Our #1 Favorite Tibetan Snack: Dried Yak Beef – Healthy & Protein-Packed
Our #2 Favorite Tibetan Snack: Dried Cheese – Healthy & Calcium-Rich
Our #3 Favorite Tibetan Snack: Yogurt – Our Daily Dessert
Our #4 Favorite Tibetan Snack: Fried Potatoes and Cold Bean Jelly – A Set Usually for Afternoon Tea
Our #5 Favorite Tibetan Snack: Sweet Tea, Tibetan Noodles, Momo, etc. – Usually for Breakfast
Our #6 Favorite Tibetan Snack: Various Candies – For High-Altitude Energy
As a Tour Guide, Another of My Favorite Snacks is Gum - For Energy and Mental Comfort
More Snacks We Recommend for Our Tourists: Coca-Cola, Yak Milk & More
Our #1 Favorite Tibetan Snack: Dried Yak Beef – Healthy & Protein-Packed
As you visit Tibet, you will be surprised to find that many local markets sell dried yak meat. We Tibetans call it “Sha Kampo”, which literally means air-dried yak meat. It’s one of our favorite Tibetan snacks and is flavorful, nutritious, and full of highland energy.
For us Tibetans, dried yak jerky is an essential travel companion. It’s easy to carry and can be stored for months. Meanwhile, it provides high protein with low fat to help us stay strong and energetic on the towering Tibetan Plateau.
Whether we are trekking, climbing mountains, or leading our tour groups to Mt. Everest or for the challenging Mt. Kailash pilgrimage, dried yak meat is one of our go-to Tibetan snacks in our bags. Actually, for centuries, dried yak meat has been the main source of protein and energy for Tibetan nomads during long winters and journeys across the Roof of the World.
Embark on the legendary Mt. Kailash pilgrimage from Lhasa with our local experts.
Besides, what distinguishes our Tibetan dried yak meat from regular beef jerky is that it is naturally frozen and air-dried for two to three months in the cold and dry plateau wind. As a result, you get the firm and chewy yak meat that reflects the bold and wild flavor of the Tibetan Plateau. For first-timers, it may feel quite tough to bite. The best way to enjoy it is to tear it into small strips by hand and chew slowly. As you chew, it gradually softens and releases a rich, meaty aroma that’s deeply satisfying.
In fact, every winter, many of our Tibetan families prepare dried yak meat the traditional way. After butchering a yak, part of the meat is set aside to dry, with no seasoning at all. The fresh yak meat is sliced into long strips, about 3 to 5 cm wide and up to half a meter long. Then, the strips are hung under the eaves, nomadic tents, or on wooden racks, where the highland wind can blow freely and work its magic.
For our overseas guests, you can buy authentic dried yak meat as a souvenir from reputable local specialty shops or any souvenir stores around Barkhor Street in Lhasa. Just make sure to check the production date and packaging to ensure its freshness. You may also buy vacuum-packed dried yak meat, which is more convenient to carry for global travelers.
The dried yak meat sold in the local stores in Barkhor Street in Lhasa.
Roam over bustling Barkhor Street and taste popular local Tibetan snacks for culinary discovery.
Our #2 Favorite Tibetan Snack: Dried Cheese – Healthy & Calcium-Rich
Another popular Tibetan snack that often catches your eye in the local Tibetan markets is the small, white cubes of dried cheese. We Tibetans affectionately call it “Chura".
As a traditional Tibetan dairy product, Chura is made from the leftover yak milk after butter is made. Instead of throwing it away, we sun-dry it under the bright blue sky and turn it into a tasty and calcium-rich Tibetan snack enjoyed for generations.
In Tibet, you will often see local Tibetan vendors selling Chura in large, colorful Tibetan woven bags made from wool or cotton, or simply piling it up like a small “cheese mountain” on a clean cloth or plastic sheet. It is an intriguing Tibet travel experience to explore.
The first time you taste a cube of dried Chura, you might find it very hard to bite, which almost tastes like a tiny stone. However, if you let it soften slowly in your mouth, it will slowly break apart, releasing a gentle milky flavor with a subtle tang.
In our Tibetan families, the wife or elder grandmother usually makes Chura the traditional way. Firstly, they will churn butter from fresh yak milk. Then, the leftover milk is gently boiled until it curdles. Later, we filter out the curds using a cloth and press them to remove the water, forming soft cheese. Finally, we cut the cheese into small bite-sized pieces and lay them out in the sun to dry. The strong plateau sunshine and dry mountain air slowly turn the soft cheese into hard, chewy nuggets with a rich, milky flavor.
Overall, for us Tibetans, Chura isn’t just a snack. It’s a daily source of nutrition, especially for Tibetan nomads who often carry a handful in their pockets while herding yaks or traveling long distances. It provides energy, protein, and calcium, which are so vital in our high-altitude Tibetan daily life, where fresh vegetables used to be rare.
The piles of small, white cubes of dried cheese sold in local Tibetan markets.
Combine Lhasa tour with visits to explore heavenly Namtso Lake and savor local Tibetan snacks.
Our #3 Favorite Tibetan Snack: Yogurt – Our Daily Dessert
With its creamy, refreshing, and slightly tangy flavor, Tibetan yogurt remains one of our all-time favorite traditional snacks, loved by people of all ages across Tibet.
In Tibet, we call yogurt “Sho”. It is made from pure yak milk, naturally fermented in the cool, clean air on the Tibetan Plateau. As you enjoy the yogurt with a spoon, it feels thick, smooth, and creamy on the tongue, with a natural tangy flavor that comes from its high protein and milk fat.
Besides, since Tibetan yogurt comes with a strong sour taste, to balance the tangy flavor, we Tibetans love to sprinkle a little sugar or drizzle some local honey on top. Sometimes we even add a few raisins and stir them gently. The sweet taste of sugar and honey, together with the soft, fruity flavor of raisins, blends beautifully with the yogurt’s tanginess. This is also the most popular way for most travelers to enjoy Tibetan yogurt for the first time.
What’s more, yogurt also plays a key role in our traditional Shoton Festival, whose name actually means “Yogurt Banquet.” The festival began long ago when local people offered yogurt to monks who had finished their summer retreat. Today, after watching the gigantic Thangka unfolding at the Drepung monastery in Lhasa, you can join locals to gather in Norbulingka Park to watch Tibetan opera and enjoy picnics with bowls of yogurt together under the summer sunshine. It will be an eye-opening experience to enjoy during your Tibet adventure.
Join Tibetans for the joyful Shoton Festival with yogurt feasts and a grand Thangka unveiling.
Besides, for our guests, you can enjoy authentic Tibetan yogurt to your heart’s content at any local tea houses or in Tibetan and Nepali restaurants across Tibet. If you have booked our private Tibet tours, you can even travel with our local experts to visit the homes of nomadic families, where you can see how Tibetan yogurt is made and taste freshly-made yogurt.
The Tibet yogurt with raisins sold on Lhasa Street.
Seamlessly combine the monastic tour in Lhasa with a day tour to explore turquoise Yamdrok Lake.
Our #4 Favorite Tibetan Snack: Fried Potatoes and Cold Bean Jelly – A Set Usually for Afternoon Tea
For us Tibetans, one of the most popular afternoon treats is a simple yet irresistible snack combo: crispy fried potatoes paired with cool, silky bean jelly. I’m sure it will become one of your favorite local Tibetan snacks to enjoy during your Lhasa tour.
In fact, you can find this delicious pair in almost every corner of Lhasa, from bustling local sweet tea houses to cozy street stalls. Sometimes, you will even see long lines outside small eateries, just for a taste of these beloved local delicacies.
The fried potatoes are made from locally grown Tibetan potatoes, which are small in size but rich in starch, thanks to the intense sunlight and big temperature difference between day and night on the Tibetan Plateau. When fried, potatoes become crispy on the outside and soft inside, giving off a warm, fragrant aroma.
For the final touch, local vendors usually sprinkle a bit of cumin, chili powder, and salt on top, sometimes adding a few simple spices to make the potatoes even more flavorful. The portions are small, affordable, and just perfect for a light afternoon snack.
Along with fried potatoes, we Tibetans also love a bowl of cold bean jelly. It’s usually made from pea or mung bean starch and has a soft, smooth texture. When you order it, the shop owner will mix it with chili oil, pepper oil, vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, chopped scallions, cilantro, and crunchy peanuts. The flavor is a perfect mix of spicy, tangy, and fragrant, and the jelly tastes cool and silky in your mouth. Together, these two snacks, one hot and crispy, the other cold and smooth, make wonderful afternoon tea treats.
The crispy fried potatoes and a bowl of spicy cold bean jelly in small eateries in Lhasa.
Enjoy the classic Lhasa to Tibet Everest Base Camp tour and enjoy local flavors along the way.
Our #5 Favorite Tibetan Snack: Sweet Tea, Tibetan Noodles, Momo, etc. – Usually for Breakfast
Unlike the traditional Tibetan snacks we enjoy for leisure, Tibetan sweet tea, Tibetan noodles, and Tibetan momos are everyday staples in our lives. For our overseas travelers, these dishes can also be your go-to Tibetan favorite food to enjoy in local tea houses, and will help you better understand our rich Tibetan culture.
Tibetan sweet tea is a warm, aromatic drink made with black tea, milk powder, and sugar. Compared with Tibetan butter tea, it’s sweeter and creamier, making it easier for travelers to enjoy. The rich and comforting flavor is perfect for a morning breakfast or re-energizing after we complete the morning kora (pilgrimage trek) around sacred monasteries and mountains in Tibet.
Explore Tibet Everest Base Camp and two of the most sacred Tibetan lakes on one thrilling trip.
On the other hand, Tibetan noodles (Thukpa in Tibetan) are a classic daily staple and can be eaten for three meals in every tea house and Tibetan restaurant. Made from wheat flour, the noodles are light yellow, soft yet chewy, with a hearty and satisfying taste.
The soul of Tibetan noodles lies in its broth, slowly-cooked for hours from yak bones. The clear, golden soup is rich, savory, and fragrant, often served with tender yak meat, scallions, and a side of chili sauce or pickled radish. A bowl of these noodles with a pot of sweet tea makes the classic Tibetan breakfast.
Momos, or Tibetan dumplings, are a favorite morning cuisine. They are filled with finely minced yak meat, scallions, salt, and a hint of pepper, wrapped in slightly thick, chewy dough. Momos are often served with chili oil for dipping, full of flavor. In us Tibetan families, momo also symbolizes hospitality and unity, often handmade for guests or enjoyed during festivals like the Tibetan New Year.
Our guests enjoy Tibetan swee tea, momos and Tibetan noodles in local tea house in Lhasa.
Visit Lhasa and Shigatse, two of the cultural heartlands of Tibet while savoring local Tibetan snacks.
Our #6 Favorite Tibetan Snack: Various Candies – For High-Altitude Energy
Apart from the traditional Tibetan snacks mentioned above, we Tibetans also love a variety of candies made from yak milk, which are not only delicious but also perfect for a quick energy boost at high altitudes. Here are some popular Tibetan candies you can enjoy or take home as souvenirs for friends and family.
Yogurt Chewy Sweets: Inspired by traditional Tibetan yogurt, these soft candies are chewy and sweet with a hint of tangy yogurt flavor. They are easy to enjoy and much gentler than the harder, more traditional dried cheese.
Yak Milk Snowflake Crisp: A modern, popular candy made from yak butter and milk powder. It’s crispy, fragrant, and often mixed with nuts, dried fruits, or biscuits, giving it a rich, layered flavor.
Yak Milk Jelly: A soft, pudding-like dessert made from concentrated yak milk. Smooth, creamy, and melts in your mouth, it’s rich but refreshing, like a high-quality milk pudding or cheesecake.
Yak Milk Cubes & Sticks: These dried yak milk snacks come in small, hard cubes or slightly softer sticks. They have a rich milky flavor with a hint of natural tang and are perfect for slowly nibbling as an energy snack.
Yak Milk Dates: A tasty treat made by stuffing nuts inside dates and wrapping them in a soft layer of yak milk candy. It is a sweet, chewy, and crunchy snack with multiple layers of flavor.
A variety of Tibetan candies are sold in stores on Barkhor Street.As a Tour Guide, Another of My Favorite Snacks is Gum - For Energy and Mental Comfort
As a seasoned local Tibetan guide, I would also like to share one of my favorite snacks to enjoy while traveling in Tibet. You might be surprised. It’s actually the sugar-free chewing gum.
Unlike sweet candies, I usually don’t eat too many sugary snacks. Chewing gum helps me stay alert on long, high-altitude walks and keeps my spirits up when the journey gets challenging.
As I guide our global guests, whether it is the day treks around Lhasa or embarking on a physically challenging Mt. Kailash trek or even a journey to the Tibet Everest Base Camp, gum is my go-to for a quick energy boost and mental comfort.
I often recommend that our guests bring a pack along too, especially for long treks or dusty roads. It’s a small, simple snack that helps you feel refreshed and focused, and you can easily buy it at local shops in Lhasa and Shigatse, two of the biggest cities in Tibet, or other small towns along the route.
Our local guide treks with our guests on the Mt. Kailash pilgrimage.
Embark on the ultimate Mt. Kailash pilgrimage from Lhasa with our local experts and taste Tibet snacks every step of the way.
More Snacks We Recommend for Our Tourists: Coca-Cola, Yak Milk & More
For our guests who have visited Tibet for the first time, you might feel a little dizzy or tired as your body is adjusting to the high altitude. No worries! The following drinks and snacks can help you feel refreshed and stay energized and comfortable.
Coca-Cola: At high altitude, your body burns a lot of energy, which can make you feel tired or lightheaded. The sugar in cola is quickly absorbed, giving your brain and body a fast energy boost. Besides, Cola can also help settle your stomach, and the caffeine in it helps keep you energized.
Ginger Cola: Our local guides will also help you warm cola with slices of fresh ginger added for extra flavor and warmth. Ginger helps warm your body, improve circulation, and ease stomach discomfort. A cup of ginger cola not only provides sugar and heat but can also help relieve mild headaches while keeping you cozy in the chilly highlands.
Yak Milk: Milk from Tibetan yaks raised above 3,000 meters is richer and creamier than ordinary milk, with more fat and protein. A warm cup of yak milk provides energy and helps your body adapt to the high altitude, and keeps you warm from the inside out. It’s especially good for boosting your immunity and helping you feel comfortable in the cold and thin air.
Besides, snacks like energy bars, beef jerky, and salted nuts are also perfect for Tibet trekking or long drives. They provide sustained energy, protein, and essential salts, helping your body stay strong and hydrated.
Our guests enjoy snacks while trekking in Tibet with our local experts.
Trek from Old Tingri to Everest Base Camp through secluded Tibetan villages and stunning Himalayan views.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, Tibetan snacks are more than just food. They are a delicious window into our culture, traditions, and daily life on the soaring Tibetan plateau. From chewy Tibetan yak meat and creamy yogurt to crispy fried potatoes and dried cheese, and Tibetan momos, each bite leaves a great memory you won’t forget.
If you have more questions about Tibetan snacks and Tibetan cuisines or are planning your Tibet tour, don’t hesitate to email us for free and expert travel solutions. Looking forward to showing you the best local Tibetan snacks and rich Tibetan culture and landscapes in Lhasa soon, Tashi Delek!
Email me about your travel idea
