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Momo, also momo-cha, is a type of Tibetan and Nepalese dumpling enjoyed all over South
Asia. It is similar to Mongolian
buuz, Chinese
jiaozi, or Central Asian
manti,
closely related to Russian
pelmeni, German Maultaschen or Italian
ravioli. |
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Left: Momos served
in a tomato-based broth. |
Momos are made with a simple flour-and-water dough—white
flour is generally preferred—and sometimes a little yeast or baking soda is
added to give a more 'doughy' texture to the finished product. The filling may
be one of several mixtures described below:
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Meat: different kinds of meat filling are popular in different regions. In
Tibet, Nepal and North East India, goat, buffalo, chicken, yak meat, and pork
would be the most popular, in Ladakh lamb and yak are common, while in other
Indian cities (e.g., Guwahati), goat and chicken would be the most popular meats
used in momos. Minced meat is combined with any or all of the following: onions,
shallots, garlic, and cilantro/coriander. The mixture is spiced with salt,
pepper, and often ground cumin. Some people also add finely puréed tomatoes, and
many variations are possible.
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Vegetarian or mixed momos are becoming increasingly popular in India and Nepal.
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Potato, similar to Indian samosas, with small dice of firm potato in a tomato
based sauce.
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Cheese, usually a fresh cheese, this variety is common in Bhutan and Sikkim.
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The dough is fashioned into small circular flat pieces. The filling is then
enclosed either in a round pocket or in a half moon shape or crescent. The
dumplings are then cooked by steaming over a soup (either a stock based on bones
or tomato-based), which is served with the dumplings, as well as chili sauce.
The dumplings may also be pan-fried or deep-fried after being steamed. They are
often accompanied by an Indian pickle achar.
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Momos are a traditional delicacy in Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim, and Ladakh.
They are the most popular fast food in Kathmandu valley, Nepal. They are also
common in places with noticeable Tibetan diaspora, such as Assam,
Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Himachal
Pradesh, and West Bengal. |
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Left: Momo-cha:
Nepalese dumpling. |
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