Poppy Seeds in Nepali: Khus Khus (खसखस) Food Guide

Poppy seeds are sold as khus khus or khas khas (खसखस) in Nepal. You may also see the name posta dana. This page is about the seeds sold as a culinary ingredient.

What to ask for at a spice shop

English name	Common market names
Poppy seeds	Khus khus / khas khas — खसखस
Alternative packet name	Posta dana

Spellings vary between sellers. Check that the packet explicitly identifies poppy seeds for food use, rather than relying only on a similar-sounding name.

What are poppy seeds used for?

The tiny seeds add texture to breads and other preparations and can be used whole or ground according to a recipe. They occur in sweet as well as savoury cooking. Follow the recipe for the particular form and quantity instead of substituting a different seed simply because it looks similar.

From the article archive

These small, dried, pale yellow, black or beige seeds comes from the capsules of the opium poppy.  They add crunchy texture and nutty flavor to any dish, and are especially popular as a topping for breads.  

Picture of spice vendor in Kathmandu.  For the image of poppy seeds please check this site.

Buying and storing culinary poppy seeds

• Buy clearly labelled culinary seeds from a food seller.
• Check the packet date and storage instructions.
• Keep the container tightly closed and dry.
• Ask the seller to confirm the ingredient when a local name is unclear.

Related spice guides

Learn the names and uses of fenugreek (methi) and cumin (jira).

Market-name reference: Kandamul’s poppy seed listing. This is a naming reference, not a product endorsement.