Chukauni (Nepalese Potato Salad)
If you are looking for a reliable side dish recipe, this Chukauni (Nepalese Potato Salad) is one to keep: 10 ingredients, 9 simple steps, ready in roughly 20 minutes. It sits firmly in the Nepali tradition, so expect the flavours you would get from a good home kitchen there. Scroll down for the ingredients, the step-by-step method, and answers to the questions we get asked most about it.
- Cook 20 min
- Total 20 min
- Serves 2
- Level Easy
Ingredients
- 4 Boiled potatoes, peeled and roughly cubed
- 200 ml Yoghurt
- 2 Fresh chiles, chopped
- 1 large Chopped Onion, chopped
- 2 tbsp Mustard oil
- Salt
- ½ tsp Turmeric powder
- ½ tsp Fenugreek seeds
- Chile powder, optional
- 2 Dried red chiles, optional
Method
- Put the boiled potatoes in a bowl.
- Add chopped chilies and chilies.
- Pour the yoghurt over the potatoes.
- Add salt and red chili powder as per your taste.
- In a small wok or pan, heat some oil with red chilies and fenugreek seed.
- When the seeds turn black, remove the pan from heat.
- Add turmeric powder over the oil immediately.
- Pour the oil over the potatoes and yoghurt mixture.
- Mix the mixture evenly with a ladle or a spoon.
Tips for the best Chukauni (Nepalese Potato Salad)
- Rest the finished dish for a few minutes before serving — it lets the flavours settle and the texture firm up.
- Taste as you go. Seasoning at the end is fine, but adjusting halfway through gives a more balanced result.
- Read the whole method before you start and measure out the 10 ingredients first — it keeps the pace relaxed once the heat is on.
Variations
- Spicier version: add a pinch of chilli flakes or a sliced fresh chilli with the aromatics.
- Vegetable boost: stir in a handful of spinach, peas or diced peppers in the last few minutes of cooking.
- Fusion twist: keep the method but swap the spices for your own favourites — the Nepali base takes well to it.
Serving ideas
Works well as a starter with warm bread.
Storage
Best eaten fresh. Leftovers keep covered in the fridge for 2 days; reheat in a hot pan or oven rather than the microwave to bring the crispness back.
Frequently asked questions
What can I substitute for boiled potatoes?
Any ingredient with a similar texture and cooking time works; see the variations below for ideas. Keep quantities the same and adjust seasoning at the end.
How long does Chukauni (Nepalese Potato Salad) take to make?
About 20 minutes in total — roughly under an hour of preparation and 20 minutes of cooking.
How many people does this Chukauni (Nepalese Potato Salad) recipe serve?
As written it serves 2. The quantities scale up or down in a straight line, so double everything for 2×2.
Can I make Chukauni (Nepalese Potato Salad) ahead of time?
You can prep all the ingredients a day ahead and keep them covered in the fridge, then cook just before serving for the best texture.
Is this Chukauni (Nepalese Potato Salad) recipe medium to make?
It is rated medium: 10 ingredients and 9 steps. Follow the order and the tips above and it is very forgiving.
Adapted from Wikibooks Cookbook, CC BY-SA 4.0 — source
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