What began as a simple street food in Tibet has turned into a full-blown craze in India. Momos, those little pockets of happiness, are now on the menus of everything from roadside stands to fancy restaurants. Momos are soft on the outside and full of tasty fillings on the inside. They come with a spicy red chutney that isn’t for the faint of heart. They have carved out their own place in Indian street food culture.
Nowadays, momos are no longer just the steamed version. They have evolved over the years to cater to the diverse tastes of people in various locations and create an exciting range that spans cities and states. Let us check out the different types of momos you can find across India.
Steamed Momos: The All-Time Favourite
Momo’s journey began with the steamed version, which still remains the best. They’re easy to make, taste great, and are very comforting. Usually, these are filled with minced vegetables, chicken or paneer and flavoured with garlic, onions and mild spices. Steamed momos are a popular snack, especially in Delhi, Darjeeling, and the Northeast. They are served hot with spicy red chutney and sometimes mayonnaise.
Fried Momos: Cravings for Crispy
Fried momos are the best choice for people who like to crunch with every bite. These momos are so good that you can’t help but eat them. Students and young foodies love them because the crunchy shell and juicy filling inside are so different from each other. It tastes great with spicy sauces or schezwan dip!
Tandoori Momos: The Smoky Taste
Tandoori momos are a full desi twist on the original Tibetan dish. They are marinated in spicy yogurt-based masala and then roasted in a tandoor or grilled. Think of smoky, spicy, charred edges and soft, tasty insides. In cities like Delhi, Ludhiana, and even Kolkata, tandoori momos have become very popular as street food. They are hard to resist when served with mint chutney and onions.
Cheese Momos: For the Love of Melted Goodness
Cheese makes everything taste better and momos are no different. Cheese momos, which are sometimes made with corn or paneer, have become very popular with people who want a rich and gooey filling. Kids and people who want a break from the usual spicy food love them.
Chocolate Momos: The Dessert You Didn’t Know You Wanted
Yes, you read that correctly. There really are chocolate momos, and they’re perfect for people who like sweets. These are usually steamed or pan-fried and filled with melted chocolate or Nutella. Sometimes they are even dusted with powdered sugar. It might sound weird, but believe us, it’s a surprisingly good way to end a Momo meal.
Jhol Momos: From the Streets of Nepal
A spicy and sour, soupy chutney covers jhol momos. These are a common street food in the Himalayan region and have also become popular in Indian cities. Tomatoes, sesame seeds, garlic and chillies are usually used to make the jhol (sauce), which is spicy and addictive. They taste great and are messy, so you should definitely get extra napkins.
Open Momos / Kothey Momos: The Gourmet Turn
For a more upscale experience, some restaurants serve open-faced momos or kothey momos. They are fried on one side and steamed on the other. These momos taste as good as they look, and they are often served with dips that are not just red chutney. Perfect for when you want to feel fancy.
Want Momos Right Now? Get Them on Zomato
You can get a momo for any mood, whether you like steamed or tandoori, cheese or spices. You can just order them from the comfort of your home. On Zomato you can easily browse a wide range of momo options from local spots and highly rated restaurants near you. So the next time you want to order your favourite Momo, just open the app, order your favourite plate and let the momo magic come to you.