Nepali Pork Curry (सुंगुरको मासु)

This unique pork curry dish from Nepal is buzzing with both Indian and Chinese-reminiscent flavours.

Known as ‘sungur ko masu’ in Nepal, this curry dish is unusual in that it features pork. Being a majority Hindu country, pork was traditionally considered an undesirable meat especially in upper social castes. Lower castes and other ethnic groups would usually eat pork, especially as they lived on steep mountain inclines where pigs were easier to rear. Nepal features many ethnic groups, one of which being the Newar - indigenous Nepalis - who often feature pork in their cuisine. This dish is a hallmark of that, and has ushered many urban Nepalis to eat pork as well as other meats. The spice masala is very simple, and the curry is actually quite mild with heat coming from dried chillies. Besides that, this dish traditionally contains ‘timmur’, a local spice very similar to Szechuan pepper which can be used as a substitute. Let’s go!