Backpacker’s Pantry – Kathmandu Curry
Overall Rating:
Just outside Acadia National Park in coastal Maine, we posted up alongside a murky, slow-moving river for lunch. We were pleased with the overall experience of this rice, vegetables, and curry meal, but it won’t necessarily become a go-to food item in our packs.
As usual, Backpacker’s Pantry includes plenty of high-quality ingredients. The generous helpings of lentils, rice, potatoes, carrots, and peas left us energized and satisfied. However, we did find that it had trouble masking the high salt content and didn’t have the well-rounded taste profile of other meals, like their Pad Thai.
Preparation 
Taste
Weight 
Backpacker's Pantry - Kathmandu Curry
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Overall Rating
Additional information
Specification: Backpacker’s Pantry – Kathmandu Curry
| Calories per Ounce | 82 |
|---|---|
| Calories per Package | 660 |
| Carbs per Package | 126g |
| Fat per Package | 5g |
| Protein per Package | 32g |
| Sodium per Package | 2300mg |
| Sugar per Package | 4g |
| Vegetarian | Yes |
| Vegan | Yes |
| Gluten Free | Yes |
| Pack Weight (oz) | 8 oz |
| Prep Time | 20 Minutes |
| Shelf Life | 10 Years |
Preparation
Preparation
It doesn’t get much easier that this. Simply remove the oxygen absorber packet and pour in the recommended volume of water. There are no extra ingredients to remove from the packet or prepare separately.
While we’ve had issues with some manufacturer’s instructions, the recommended 660mL of boiling water created the ideal texture after the meal had steeped.
- Roughly 20 minutes to fully prepare
- Simply add boiling water and wait
- No additional components need to be prepared
- Adding exactly 660mL of water can be difficult
- We recommend mixing the dry ingredients thoroughly both before and after adding boiling water to more evenly distribute the included spices
Taste
Taste
This recipe is always a fan favorite for those who enjoy Indian food. The underlying ingredients of this meal were hearty and authentic, and both of our participating testers noted the satisfying texture, despite the simple preparation process. The spiciness level was between low and medium, but you’ll want to avoid this if you dislike spicy foods.
We did find that the spice blend was a bit underwhelming. There wasn’t as much curry taste when compared to restaurant-grade versions. This lack of taste was compensated for by adding additional sodium, which left the meal with a salty aftertaste. (We had a similar problem with the Backpacker’s Pantry Chana Masala meal. )
- High-quality ingredients that contribute to a satisfying texture
- Includes plenty of lentils and potatoes to balance the rice portion
- The recipe doesn’t have a strong of a curry taste as the name suggests
- Both of our testers noted an overwhelming amount of added salt
Weight
Weight
At Outdoor Food Lab, we list our weight ratings as such:
- 150+ calories/ounce:
/ Ultralight Hiking Food - 131-149 calories/ounce:
- 111-130 calories/ounce:
- 90-110 calories/ounce:
- Less than 90 calories/ounce:
