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Momo are now regarded as one of the popular streetfoods of India and you’ll find this dish all over the country. The scenario was not like this even 20 years back since the availability of authentic Momo was limited only at the hill stations. With immense popularity, this is now available almost in every lane of any city you can name. Not only in Kolkata but this particular dish is widely popular in almost all the states of the country and every state has their own recipe and their own way of serving the Momo. For example : The Momo of Delhi is usually served with the Momo Chutney and Mayonnaise. At Hyderabad, the Chutney is basically a raw paste of Red Chilies.
For your information : There is nothing called "Momos" even though you mean "plural". It is always Momo, be it one or a hundred pieces. I get pissed off when I see people saying of writing "Momos".
In Kolkata, the journey of Momo started with The Blue Poppy by Doma Wang, who is also known as the “Momo Queen”. She is basically from the hills and she started off with her small restaurant in Sikkim House of Kolkata early in the 90s. Till date, the Momo of Blue Poppy are regarded as one of the bests in the city. Needless to say, they prepare authentic Momo. The Blue Poppy now got many branches all across the city and you can head straight towards any branch to taste their Momo. However, if you want to visit the oldest branch, check out the address here.
Coming to Suburban Road, which is also called the Momo Gali/Gully of Kolkata, you’ll find 4 or 5 restaurants selling Momo, however not all are great.
Tibetan Delight is famous and they prepare great momos but they mostly remain close during post-pandemic times. Momo Plaza is a restaurant where you will get other Chinese and Tibetan dishes too but the quality has gone down drastically and there are serious hygiene issues. Orchid is now unnecessarily costly since they pushed their shutters up after the renovation. There is no significant improvement in terms of taste, quality and quantity however, the price is way higher than the rest of the places around. Therefore, if it’s Momo Gully, my pick would be Hamro Momo (Location) which still serves the best Momo in this area at reasonable rates. 5 big pieces of Chicken/Pork/Veg Momo served with a bowl of piping hot clear soup, at just 90 INR onwards. If you’re someone who likes Pan Fried or Fried Momo, you can blindly order the same from this particular place.
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Denzong Kitchen
This chain of restaurant do not only prepare Momo but are equally great with Chinese and Tibetan starters and main course dishes. The Steamed Momo and the Pan-Fried Momo from Denzong Kitchen is a must-try. You will find various branches of Denzong Kitchen all over the city, feel free to try the momos from any branch you come across. Very recently, they added a new variety in the form of Butter Garlic Prawn Momo. I had it and was blown away. Check the same below :
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Fusion is very much in when it comes to food. Momo is also of no exception.
Fusion Momo are becoming very popular in Kolkata nowadays. Gondhoraj Momo (Kaffir Lime-flavored Momo) are too much popular which emerged with the hands of Leon’s, a take-away joint at Lake Gardens. They serve 8 pieces of jumbo-sized Momo along with a lime-flavored clear soup for just 99 INR. I personally like Steamed or Pan-fried Momo more than anything else but this momo has become a favorite one of mine. Check out the location here.
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Hidden Gem & Special Mention :
One of the most important job of mine as a food-blogger is to find out new places and hidden gems. Be it a for a plate of Biryani or for a plate of Momo, the search is always on. Just like that, I found out a place months back which is known as Momo Circle. This place is near Tollygunge and you should definitely try the Momo from this place. Personally, I’m a huge fan of their Pan-fried Momo. You can try their Momo Platter which has a mix of steamed, fried and kothey momos. Check the location here.
Good to know : Kothe or Kothey is a Nepali term used for Momo and it means that a Momo will be half-fried and half-steamed. Usually, the Momo is placed on a pan after being steamed and the bottom comes out half-fried.
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Momo I Am do not require any introduction since they are listed as one of the favorites among the Momo-lovers of the city. You should definitely visit any one of the branches and order a platter of Momo which will give you a variety of Chicken Momo, Chili-Basil Chicken Momo, Mushroom-Cheese Chicken Momo and Veg Momo. There are multiple branches all over the city and all are equally good.
Other Momos to try :
Jhol Momo from North-East Kitchen, Golpark (Location)
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It is Jhol Momo and not called as Soupy Momo! Jhol Momo refers to momos drowned in a bowl of hot, soup and it is a popular version of Momo available in Nepal. Unlike other style of dumplings from around the world (Japanese Gyoza, Mongolian Buuz or Georgian Kinkhali), Nepali Momo have rich flavor of spices and a particular kick to them. I like this kind of Momo during the winter season since the jhol (soup) gives a warmth and the extra kick required during cold.
If you’re a Vegetarian, you can definitely visit Gingko near South City Mall, which will serve you with a variety of Veg Momo & dimsums at reasonable rates. You should definitely try their Cheese, Spinach and Water chestnuts Dimsum with chili oil, which is my personal favorite. While writing this blog, I remember that I haven’t visited this place off-late and I need to, very soon. Location of Gingko
As a Momo-lover like me says : You can never have too much of Momo.
There is one place which is a favorite of mine since childhood. This place is called Fresh N Up and it is at Golpark (just two steps from Aminia, Golpark!). Fresh N Up do not have a seating option or an AC, you can take a seat on the stools placed on the pavement or you can stand and finish the plate. This place was introduced to me by Didibhai and I simply love their Steamed and Pan-fried version. However, there is no pork available here. Check out the location here.
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