Momos: History, Types And Facts!

By Author: Gayatri Tampi
Total Articles: 56
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With the oscillation of bubbles in the pan, after which the momos are added, taken out, and served on a platter, with sauces to go is a delight on a weekend, right? Especially, roadside ones. Heading back in time, momos sailed across the world, letting people adapt it onto their menus, each with unique developments. As per popular belief, momos came to India in the 1960s, when the Tibetans paved their way into the country. From Ladakh and Darjeeling to Dharamshala, Sikkim, and Delhi, momos have been popular and well-known in these states.

We now find them in different shapes and fillings. Be it chili prawn, desi chicken, Maggi, mutton, pork, or vegetable, these are mini versions of delight in one’s mouth, available in multiple variants. The spice blends and the way it melts in is a favorite amongst the Indian crowd. But this is not all. Apart from fried and steamed momos, the market has evolved and inculcated the demand for frozen momos. With QSR chains, including Momo King and Wow! Momos selling frozen momos to earn double the revenue, people can easily order in packs and packs of ...
... frozen delights to treat their family on a weekend/ weekday, as per their cravings.

But, over the span of 2-3 years, as the pandemic has kicked in, multiple brands have shifted their focus to an online mode of selling. With just a click, people can purchase chicken momos online or any other momo specialty that matches their taste bud. Be it Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, or Chennai, every metropolitan has a crowd with a different liking towards momos. How? Because each state has its own version of making a momo from scratch. Let us talk about it in detail and relish the ‘pockets of delight’ in our visions:

If you are looking for a legit variety of Nepali momos in India, then you’ll have to visit Mumbai. Started by a hairstylist in Nepal, Kepchaki momos are filled with tender meat and available in several variants in Bandra West. One may also find thukpas and dim sums in Andheri West, followed by the tandoori momos in the area.

Moving on to Kolkata, apart from puchkas and sandesh, the state provides you with Darjeeling momos, schezwan momos, and a mix of juicy + steamed pork and chicken momos. Has your mouth, watered already? It is too early because the states are still a long way to go!

Before we move on to this state, let’s play a Q&A. Are you a non-vegetarian? Or, are you somebody who has an awkward taste for anything and everything? If that is the case, let’s go to Delhi. They provide Kurkure, Afghani, Soya, Chocolate, and Green momos to offer you. The state plays a competitive game of 70+ momos to offer. Still don’t want to fly North after the pandemic is over? If so, we highly doubt if you have a liking for it.

Further down to Chennai, there is an interesting variety of momos to juel over. They have stir-fried chicken, steamed pork, basil-flavored, and fried vegetable momos to savor.

While we have laid down a bunch of options for you to look at, these are some of the best momos that you could find. Wait, before we do, we must also know a few crazy facts about them, for who knows…

1. Did you know that a single momo carries 35.2 kcal? How will you? You were busy posting pictures on your social media.
2. If you need a substitute for a salad, go for steamed momos.
3. Each shape that you, as a ‘momo lover’ would have eaten by now, goes by a different name. Sounds like fun to us.
4. Momos have made it to foreign countries and they are adapting to this delight too!
5. Were you aware of a restaurant in Kathmandu by the name of, ‘The Gangri Sui Mai?’ They serve open-shaped momos. Yes, you heard it right. You can easily spoon in a sauce, peanuts or chillies and bite in.
6. We have all heard of the phrase, ‘too much of anything is good for nothing.’ In the case of momos, they contain mono-sodium glutamate (MSG). Every health freak must be aware of its presence. This leads to obesity, nausea, palpitations and a nervous disorder as well.

At the same time, while these facts would serve as the ultimate guide to knowing a food item, there are three types: steamed, fried and pan fried. Which among these is your calling?