Why Indians are mad for momos

These savoury dumplings are a street food favourite. Just don’t forget the chutney.

New Delhi, India – Sonakshi Verma, a college student, pushes her way to order a plate of momos from a corner shop on a busy market street in New Delhi. The noisy shop, which opens only in the evenings, is crowded with people eagerly anticipating their first bites of one of India’s most popular street foods.

“Ek plate veg momos, bhaiya [please give me a plate of vegetarian momos, brother],” Verma says, trying to get her voice heard above the crowd.

When Verma gets her plate, she walks to a table and looks longingly at the four soft, plump dumplings nestled beside some chutney and mayonnaise.

She delicately dips one momo in the red chilli chutney, closes her eyes, breathes deeply and takes a bite. The tender outer layer tears, giving way to the savoury filling: a delicious mixture of sharp onion and garlic and spicy umami flavour. After eating two, she pauses before telling me: “I am fighting the craving to eat and at the same time just be comforted with their presence.”

I look around at the crowd of mostly students and young adults. At another table, a small girl sitting with an older woman spots a man and boy heading towards their table and shouts: “Dadi momo mil gaye! [Grandma we got the momos!]” Soon, the family are devouring two plates of the popular snack.