In China, it’s called baozi, jiaozi or mantou. In Mongolian cuisine, it’s buuz. It’s gyoza in Japan, mandu in Korea and manti in Afghanistan. English language users call it a dumpling, and in India, it’s the beloved momo – a dish that’s fantastic no matter what it’s called.
Click start to play today’s Crossword, where you can spot it in one of the clues. Don’t forget to visit Gulf News’ Food section for recipes, guides and all things to do with cooking and cuisines.
The humble momo has a long, rich history. It originated in the 14th century, and both Nepal and Tibet claim to be its birthplace. Momos made their way to India in the 1960s, when a large number of Tibetans entered the country, spread out, and settled in various regions. The places they made their home – Ladakh, Darjeeling, Sikkim, Dharamshala and Delhi – are all momo hotspots even today.
Another origin story suggests that it was Kathmandu’s Newar merchants who brought the recipe to India from Tibet, during their travels along the Silk Road. Regardless, the well-travelled dish is firmly embedded in regional cuisines – places like West Bengal, Sikkim and Assam all enjoy their own varieties of momos.
So, what does a momo look like? It’s prepared by rolling dough into slim circles and placing a small amount of filling in the middle. The circle is then folded and sealed shut to keep the filling from oozing out. Then, the momos are steamed, deep fried or pan fried until the crust is cooked. You can dip, dunk, bite or devour it whole!
A plate of momos in one restaurant can taste very different from a plate in another. Its fillings range from minced chicken or cottage cheese to vegetables and even seafood. The shape of the momo isn’t arbitrary. Vegetarian momos are shaped like a half-moon, while non-vegetarian ones are completely round.
Adaptable in its taste, momos are also some of the most versatile dishes around – they can easily feature on a five-star restaurant’s menu, served in an aromatic meat-based broth, or be eaten as street food, served with tangy sauces.
Discover more about this incredibly popular dish, and learn how to craft momos in your kitchen.
Do you love to eat momos? Play today’s Crossword and tell us at games@gulfnews.com.
