Bartaman - Kaytapuja

The traditional snack 'Chiura' (flattened rice) has given way to the modern noodles. That is why "never ask chums whether they had snacks in the noon or afternoon, just wonder whether they had the day's share of noodles."

People would have called 'you fools' a few years ago if you said the traditional snacks would have a substitute. None could dream of a replacement of the centuries old favorite daytime food of the valley and also of some places that had link 'direct or indirect' with the valley. Visit any restaurant of modern colour, name and image and you would find the traditional dish missing. The waiters might not understand you and would ask you for order twice or thrice if you seek to stick to the tradition and not switch over to the noodles, the imported habit from Thailand. Food experts might challenge this observation but there are written proofs in the valley to show that the noodles entered the restaurants of the valley along with the regular arrival of flights from Bangkok some two decades ago.

People having medical knowledge would argue that the modern snack dominated by the Maggi brand or Wai Wai brand noodles would have no nourishment value. They are junk food and do not contribute to the health if they are taken along. When the noodles are backed up with some other food items modern or traditional they would start being meaningful. This would of course put additional pressure on your purse but never mind you would be able to raise its strength by working over time.

Nepalis used to the custom of the valley usually ask during day time encounter have you already taken snack for the day? They used to mean Chiura, the great snack of the past and nothing else. Of course some living outside the cities limit of Lalitpur, Kantipur and Bhaktapur meant "maize" by the snack.

Any body interested in the snack habits of Kathmandu could undertake a research work on how the switch - over took place over time without bringing any sensation. Economists prefer to say supply creates its own demand. The industrialists copying Thai practice of manufacturing noodles produced the same in the factories located in Kathmandu and this created demand. People ranging from house wives to school canteen keepers found the new arrival more suitable and time saving comfortable. Those who choose noodles for snack are modern, civilized, educated and western-like while those who prefer to continue the traditional Chiura (Baji in Newari) would find themselves left behind civilization.

A few residents complain that noodles are rather costly and not that filling specially for those who work hard to earn bread. They could take the same in more dose, counsel some. The school boys and girls do not have any bitter remarks to make about the noodles. It is a superb snack and we can have it as like it : in the bus, on the way, in the playground. The traditional snack is not that handy and moreover it needs something else to make the snack complete and palatable.

Grown-ups and those who are in charge of the kitchen share the same feeling specially at the time when they want to have quick cooking for some thing like important TV shows or films or some games. Noodles have changed the snack of the valley. To restore the flattened rice, one should risk uphill journeys.

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