Shiva Neupane blazing trail with ‘Falang Food Dictionary’
SAT Editor Neeraj Nanda (left) & Shiva Neupane (right).
MELBOURNE, 3 June 2025: In days when people access Google or AI platforms to search meanings and history of words, Shiva Neupane, Nepalese- origin writer based here has compiled the ‘Falang Food Dictionary’, a comprehensive 604-page hard-copy edition paying tribute to where he was born. Shiva was born in the small village of Nepal, by the name Falang, located in the western part of Nepal, Galyang Syangja.
Well, we have seen many dictionaries, but this one is unique as it deals with world cuisines, as the name suggests. It is handy, for food enthusiast, chef, cook and food writer, food historian, or maybe, for someone going to a restaurant. Names of food or cuisine can be misleading when they are in local languages or represent a deeply rooted culture. Their origin in different languages, if known before one eats them, can make one’s possible choice easy going. It is here the ‘Falang Food Dictionary’ is handy.
Shiva came to SAT office and presented me a copy of his volume for the culinary arts. He was excited and talked what led him to write it. Shiva supports the Food Banking System, which he believes helps those with less income on the margins of society, and discourages the consumption of junk food.
Melbourne is a city of restaurants and food joints spread across the suburbs. Obviously, many of the foods mentioned in the dictionary are available here and Shiva credits his knowledge of foods and words to Australia’s multicultural ethos. Basically, the dictionary is not a recipe book or does not suggest what to eat or not.
It contains over 100,000 words, detailing the meanings, histories, and cultural significance of culinary terms like “Luwak coffee,” “mozzarella,” and “tacos,” alongside diverse dishes, ingredients, and cooking methods.
Inspired by Neupane’s extensive experience in the multicultural hospitality scene, the work promotes food literacy, healthy eating, and sustainable practices, etc. First published in 2018, with a second edition in 2022, it has earned recognition, including a supportive letter from former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison in 2021 and the National Pride Award from Glory Media.
The dictionary is a pioneering contribution to culinary literature and Nepal’s publishing history, fostering appreciation for global food cultures and multiculturalism.
Some South Asian food names/words and their meanings in the dictionary – Biryani (A dish made with extremely seasoned rice, meat, and so on), Korma (A dish consisting of vegetables or meat braised with cream or spices), Dhal (A dish made from cooked lentils), Kulfi (Ice-cream made from almonds and milk), Litti (A dish made from wheat flour with a stuffing of Sattu, roasted gram flour), and so on. In fact, there is much more from all countries.
One good idea in the next edition will be to have country wise sections. And, a separate section of junk food names. Food habits are quite often culturally determined and in the 21st century by corporate interests desperate greed for more profits. People are brainwashed to buy and eat unhealthy junk-food. The less said the better.
The dictionary has been published by Sneha Designing and Print, Bagbazar, Kathmandu, Nepal.
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