Momos: From a humble Himalayan dumpling to a street food star

Picture this: Gorging on hot, steamy and succulent Momos, dipped in flavoursome spicy garlic chutney, while you sit in the lap of the grandiose Himalayan Mountains… Isn’t that the kind of stuff dreams are made of?

Native to Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan and other Himalayan states of India, Momos are not just plain dumplings. They are meat or veggies wrapped with love and care, sealed in little packets of cheerfulness with simple, yet exquisite flavours, making them a delicious and affordable treat for food lovers.

Today, momos are selling quicker than hot cakes, especially in the metro cities. Now a popular choice of street-food, it’s a common thing to come across a horde of young North-Eastern Indians serving piping hot momos with passion in different nooks and corners of a metropolis. Be it in food courts or food carts, momos have tickled the nations’ taste buds and in recent times have become a street food star.

Where did it all begin?

Traditionally filled with yak meat, these dumplings were eaten with a variety of sauces by the Newar merchants of Kathmandu valley. The travelling Newars brought this traditional recipe to Tibet in the 1640s after a treaty was negotiated in which these merchants were allowed to setup 32 business houses in Lhasa. With time, the locals modified the seasonings of the dish and retained the original name. After gaining popularity in Nepal and Tibet, momos gradually made its way into the Indian Territory via Sikkim.

Mad over Momos

It sure has been a long trek for those humble dumplings of joy, given the fact that they mushroomed in the North-Eastern part of India a long time ago. It was only in the mid-2000s when an explosion took place, starting with New Delhi. Students of JNU were probably the early tasters of momos as numerous carts filled the campus. Though the variety was limited to steamed and fried vegetarian or chicken momos, hungry students would throng those carts at all times.

Soon the momo explosion was felt in other parts of Delhi and these roadside treats, which were available at an affordable price from Rs. 20 to Rs.50, became everyone’s favourite.

Inching towards obsession

Not just Delhi, but other cities like Kolkata, Mumbai and Bangalore gradually started experiencing the awesomeness of these humble dumplings. What began as a modest traditional cuisine has now become a frenzy. The momo obsession has gripped the country and people of all ages absolutely relish the flavours. Today, a variety of momos, including Paneer momos, Beef momos and Pork momos, are being savoured in different parts of the country. Regardless of the variants, what’s given the success story of momos a boost is the yummilicious chutney that’s served alongside.

The best joints

Here’s a look at some of the most popular momo joints in the country:

Delhi: Dolma Aunty Momos in Lajpat Nagar; Potala House and Tee Dee in Majnu ka Tila; Rosang Café in Green Park (South Delhi) and Momo’s Point in Kamla Nagar are some of the popular momo joints in the nation’s capital.

Bangalore: Bamey’s and Momo Hut in Koramangala; Taste of Tibet in Brigade Road; Wow Momos in Orion Mall; Chai Patti in Indiranagar and the several roadside street carts in Wind Tunnel road are some of the best options from across the city.

Mumbai: Momo King in Santacruz East; Dimsum and More in Churchgate Station; Moktu in Infinity Mall; Dev Momo’s in Worli and Kepchaki Momos in Khar are some of the must-tries in the city.

Kolkata: Solid Gulp (Bapi Dar Momo) in Sector 2, Salt Lake; Exide near Rabindra Sadan metro station; Firoz Khan’s stall near Park Street metro station; Momo Plaza in Elgin; Hamro Momo in Lala Lajpat Rai Sarani are some of the best choices from across the City of Joy.

Recipe for happiness

If you’re someone who absolutely loves momos and wants to try this traditional Tibetan dish at home, here’s a simple and delicious recipe. Don’t miss the recipe for the chutney at the end of the video.

From the pristine surroundings of Himalayan countries to the streets of India, momos have come a long way and are indeed a superstar among food lovers. It’s tasty, healthy and affordable. Be it the chilled winters of Delhi or the wet monsoon of Mumbai, momos are the perfect thing to brighten up a grey day.

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