The short answer
Momo are steamed or fried dumplings filled with buffalo, chicken, vegetables or paneer, served with a tomato-sesame sauce. Variants include jhol momo in soup, kothey pan-fried, and fried momo. Tibetan-influenced dishes include thukpa (noodle soup), thenthuk (hand-pulled noodle soup), laphing (a cold spicy mung-bean noodle dish popular around Boudhanath) and butter tea.
Boudhanath, Swayambhunath and Thamel have the best Tibetan restaurants. Eat momo hot and fresh, and try different sauces.
Key facts
- Dumplings
- Steamed, fried, jhol, kothey
- Soups
- Thukpa, thenthuk
- Cold dish
- Laphing
- Drink
- Butter tea
How it works
- Choose a fillingVeg, chicken or buff.
- Pick a styleSteamed, fried or jhol.
- Try thukpaOn a cold day.
- Taste laphingAt Boudhanath.
- Sip butter teaIf curious.
Insider tip
Look for momo steamed to order in a busy place.
Avoid this
Do not eat cold or partly cooked momo.
Related questions
Are momo vegetarian?
Veg momo are available; ask.
Is laphing spicy?
Yes, often.
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