Momo

Name: Momo
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 65 min
Yield: 5 servings
Cuisine: Nepal
Ingredients: 3 cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup water; 1 lb ground chicken or buffalo meat; 1 onion, finely chopped; 1/2 cup cabbage, finely chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tbsp ginger, minced; 1 tsp cumin powder; 2 tbsp cilantro, chopped; 1 tbsp oil; Salt, to taste

5 servings45 min prep20 min cookMedium Nepal

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The Story Behind It

The Tale of Momo

Story updated September 17, 2026

Momo, steamed dumplings, arrived in Nepal via Tibetan traders and Newar communities in the Kathmandu Valley, likely influenced by Tibetan and Chinese dumpling traditions carried along Himalayan trade routes. Nepali cooks adapted it with their own spice blends and dipping sauces, and it's now considered virtually a national dish.

Ingredients

Scale:· 5 servings

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup water
1 lb ground chicken or buffalo meat
1 onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup cabbage, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp ginger, minced
1 tsp cumin powder
2 tbsp cilantro, chopped
1 tbsp oil
Salt, to taste

Instructions

1Knead flour and water into a smooth, firm dough; rest covered for 20 minutes.
2Mix the ground meat with onion, cabbage, garlic, ginger, cumin, cilantro, oil, and salt for the filling.
3Roll the dough thin and cut into small circles.
4Place a spoonful of filling in the center of each circle and pleat the edges closed to form small dumplings.
5Arrange the momos in a greased steamer basket without touching.
6Steam for 12-15 minutes until the wrapper is translucent and the filling is cooked through.
7Serve hot with spicy tomato achar dipping sauce.

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