Ordering a Vegetarian Curry Without MSG and Ice
A short Nepali dialogue ordering veg curry without Ajinomoto (MSG), no ice in the drink, and confirming there's no peanut. Real Kathmandu restaurant pacing.
The situation
A casual restaurant on Freak Street, Kathmandu. You want a vegetable curry, a Coke without ice, and you want to confirm there's no peanut paste in the gravy because of an allergy. This is the order, in clear Nepali.
The dialogue
Lodge owner
Welcome, brother. What can I bring?
। ?
Swāgat chha dai. Ke lyāune?
Tourist
One vegetable curry, the meat-free version please.
, — ।
Ek tarkārī curry, māsu binā — tarkārī wālā dinus.
Tourist
Without Ajinomoto, please. I am allergic to nuts — is there peanut in the curry?
। — ?
Ajinomoto nahālnus. Malāī badāmko ailarjī chha — currymā badām chha?
Lodge owner
No peanut, brother. We use mustard oil and tomato base.
। ।
Badām chhaina dai. Hāmī torīko tel ra golbhe̱ḍā prayog garchhau̱.
Tourist
Good. And one Coke, without ice please.
। , ।
Rāmro. Ra ek Coke, āis nahālnus.
Lodge owner
Will the curry be spicy or mild?
?
Curry piro ki kam piro?
Tourist
Less spicy, please. Thank you.
, ।
Kam piro dinuhos, dhanyabād.
Comprehension check
Three quick questions to test what you heard. No pressure, no streaks.
Cultural notes
MSG (Ajinomoto) is added by default in chow mein, fried rice, and many curries — saying so up front saves a half-hour of regret.
Mustard oil ('torīko tel') is the traditional Nepali cooking base; ghee and peanut paste are common in north-Indian-style curries. Specify the cuisine if your allergy is severe.
Tap water freezes into ice in most non-tourist restaurants. 'Āis nahālnus' (no ice) is the one-second stomach saver.
Carry a written allergy card in Devanagari if the allergy is anaphylactic — show the kitchen directly, not just the waiter.
Phrases from this dialogue
Each phrase as a stand-alone reference — open for the full pronunciation and cultural context.
मासु बिना, तरकारी वाला दिनुस्
The vegetable version, no meat
Māsu binā, tarkārī wālā dinus
अजिनोमोटो नहाल्नुस्, कृपया
Without Ajinomoto (MSG) please
Ajinomoto nahālnus, kripayā
आइस नहाल्नुस्, कृपया
Without ice, please
Āis nahālnus, kripayā
मलाई बदामको एलर्जी छ
I am allergic to nuts
Malāī badāmko ailarjī chha
Photo: Unsplash
यो पिरो छ?
Is this spicy?
Yo piro chha?