Samay Baji: The Newari Khaja Set

Samay Baji, famous as the Newari khaja set symbolizes good luck, joy, health, and longevity among the Newars. It is a popular traditional dish in the Newari community, a group of people who live in the Kathmandu valley and speak the Newari language.

Growing up in a Newari family, I have had Samay Baji almost on every special occasion in the Newar community. This hearty food platter consists of main items such as the chiura (beaten rice), black soybeans (bhatmas), wa:, chatamari, chhwela, finely cut ginger (palu), fried boiled egg, boiled beans, spinach, and ayla (alcohol).

Samay Baji is typically served during special occasions and ceremonies. It is a Newari cuisine that is not just delicious to eat but also makes you whole and is nutritious as it has varieties of food.

Follow along if you want to learn more about Samay Baji: The Newari Khaja Set!

What is Samay Baji?

Samay Baji is the most popular traditional Newari cuisine, holding a lot of cultural significance. It is offered as a prasad during Newari festivals and rituals.

After the Pooja is finished, Samay Baji is frequently served as the opener or as the first course of a meal. This cuisine signifies luck, joy, health, and long life among the Newars.

Samay Baji, a traditional Newari cuisine, has been handed down through the generations. It usually comprises a large number of foods on a single plate, generally composed of leaves known as "Tapari."

Photo: Samay Baji

Origin of Samay Baji

Samay Baji is a traditional dish of the Newari community in Nepal. The Newari people have a rich and diverse cultural and culinary tradition, and Samay Baji is an important part of that tradition. 

It is not clear exactly when or how the dish originated. However, during the ancient times when castism existed in the Newar community, farmers had to depend upon firewood to cook food as fuel was a luxury for them.

Cooking in firewood was a tedious task, so they would take chiura, chhwela, bhatmas, saag, etc., as snacks to the farm as they didn’t need to be reheated and also made them full yet provided nutrition. So it is speculated that Samay Baji originated since then.

However or whenever Samay Baji might have originated, it is likely that it has been enjoyed by the Newari people for many generations. The various components of Samay Baji, such as beaten rice and boiled eggs, have been a staple of the Newari diet for centuries.

Ingredients of Samay Baji

Samay Baji is a traditional Newari snack that consists of a variety of ingredients. The main components of Samay Baji are chiura (beaten rice), black soybeans (bhatmas), wa:/bara, chatamari, chhwela, finely cut ginger (palu), fried boiled egg (khen), fired fish (sanya), boiled beans, aalu-wala, spinach, and ayla (homemade alcohol). 

Here is a list of some of the ingredients that may be included in Samay Baji:

Beaten rice (Chiura): This is a type of flattened/beaten rice that is light and crispy. It is made by pounding rice in a mortar and pestle until it becomes thin and flat.

Roasted black soybeans (Bhatmas): These are lentils that have been roasted and seasoned. They are usually spicy and add a crunchy texture to the dish.

Aalu-wala: Potatoes are a common ingredient in Samay Baji, Aalu-wala is a spicy potato salad made by boiling potatoes until they are tender and mixed with different spices.

Fried boiled eggs: Hard-boiled eggs are a common component of Samay Baji and add protein to the dish. The eggs are first boiled and then lightly fried until the outer parts are golden.

Chatamari: It is a typical and traditional Newar dish that resembles pizza and has a variety of toppings.

Wa: (Wo)/Bara: It is a lentil patty as it is mainly made of lentils like "mugh beans" or "musur."

Chhwela: It is one of the tastiest Newari dishes made by roasting the buffalo meat until the surface is charred, cooling it, then combining it with some spices and marinating it for a while.

Pickles (Achar): Pickles are a common condiment in Nepali cuisine and are often included in Samay Baji.

Other ingredients that are included in Samay Baji include spinach, finely cut ginger (palu), juju dhau (yoghurt), ayla (homemade alcohol), etc. The ingredients are typically served on a platter and are meant to be shared among a group of people.

Where to have Samay Baji in Kathmandu?

Samay Baji is a popular snack in Kathmandu, Nepal, and can be found at many restaurants and street food stalls throughout the city. Some popular places to try Samay Baji in Kathmandu include:

Bhaktapur Durbar Square: This is one of the popular tourist destinations and has a huge Newar community residing there. Some restaurants near Durbar Square offer Samay Baji on their menu.

Patan Durbar Square: This is a popular tourist destination in Kathmandu and is home to many Newar people. Some restaurants around the Patan Durbar Square offer Samay Baji on their menu.

Newa Lahana: This is a restaurant in Kirtipur that specializes in traditional Newari cuisine, which includes Samay Baji.

Other popular chains of restaurants in Kathmandu and nearby Kathmandu that serve a variety of traditional Nepali dishes, including Samay Baji, are Nandini Food Court, Lalitpur, Newari Kitchen, Newa De Café, Kathmandu, etc.

It is worth noting that the availability and specific ingredients of Samay Baji may vary depending on the location and vendor.