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Header image courtesy of Momo King (via Pexels)
Originally published by Annette Chan. Last updated by Celia Lee.
Of all the delicacies of Nepalese cuisine, there is perhaps no dish more renowned than the humble and delicious momo. Often appearing either as small and round xiaolongbao-esque bites or longer and intricately pleated crescent-shaped dumplings, momos are said to be brought to Nepal from Tibet by Newar traders in the Kathmandu valley.
From the classic chicken, pork, lamb, and veggie momos to the occasional buffalo momo and colourful fusion takes stuffed with “char siu” and Hainanese chicken, here are the best places to find momos in Hong Kong.
Hidden away among the boutiques and bubble tea shops on Lyndhurst Terrace is this tiny sliver of a restaurant, marked by its cheerful blue livery and chihuahua logo. Although it may appear at first glance to be a takeaway shop during the day, walk past at night and you’ll find a cast of regulars singing karaoke and tucking into piping hot momos.
Don’t let the small space fool you—almost everything here, from the momos to the noodles in the thukpa soup, is homemade with love. The momos are some of the best in town, with chicken or beef fillings available either steamed or fried.
Lot Restaurant and Bar, Shop 4, 58 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central | (+852) 2619 1181
For a delicious, wallet-friendly meal of Nepalese food, hit up Momo Moment in Kennedy Town. The owners are a lovely Hong Kong-based Chinese-Nepalese couple, Carrie and Jay, who got the idea to start the restaurant after a “quick trip” to Nepal turned into a six-month stay due to international travel restrictions.
Switching from their pandemic-hit occupations—travel agent and bartender, respectively—to become restaurateurs, the couple poured everything they had into the colourful 150-square-foot shop, with momos, pani puri, dahi puri, and masala chai made according to Jay’s family recipes.
The momos are the star here, with the xiaolongbao-esque steamed pork momos being our favourites, especially when dipped in the moreish spicy sesame-peanut sauce. For a quick savoury snack, we like the paneer cheese balls and chatpati, a zingy Nepalese-style salsa featuring a citrus-dressed mixture of diced onions, tomatoes, spices, and cilantro with crunchy instant noodle bits.
Momo Moment, G/F, 34 Forbes Street, Kennedy Town | (+852) 9846 6569
Nepalese and Mexican food might not sound like an obvious match, but this tropical Temple Street restaurant and bar pulls it off with aplomb, dishing out nachos and curries along with craft cocktails and shisha. On the menu, you’ll find Nepalese specialities such as sukuti (smoked dried buffalo meat) and bhutuwa (stir-fried pork intestine, blood, and meat).
Choose from fried or steamed momos which include a filling of pork, chicken, or paneer, and the Jungle Chilli momos, featuring a fiery mix of fresh chillis, garlic, onion, tomato, and
mixed peppers (with the option of adding chicken). With its rose petal-like
wrapper and cheesy filling, the paneer is our pick—though you can’t go wrong
with the pork, either.
The Jungle, Shop 3, Po Fat Building, 273–275 Temple Street, Jordan | (+852) 2602 3636
Located in the heart of Sai Yin Pun is Momo N Curry, a hidden gem if you’re looking for good-quality food and no-fuss dining. Don’t be fooled by the restaurant’s plain appearance—you’re guaranteed to finish the meal with a full, satisfied belly. Serving Nepalese and Indian dishes, you can enjoy everything from curries to rice and noodle dishes, to roti, paratha, and, of course, momos. Here, the momos come in five variants: steamed, chilli, pan-fried, jhol, and tandoori, all perfectly prepared and cooked to quench your momo cravings. Pair your meal with a sweet mango lassi and you’re good to go.
Momo N Curry, G/F, 335–339 Queen’s Road West, Sai Ying Pun | (+852) 2555 0355
Sitting inside The Pottinger, The Envoy specialises in traditional British fare reimagined with a modern twist. Included in the mix are the ever-popular Himalayan-inspired momos. Filled with Ibérico pork or a selection of vegetarian ingredients, these delicious momos are served either steamed or fried with a tangy spiced tomato sauce.
The Envoy, 3/F, The Pottinger Hong Kong, 74 Queen’s Road Central, Central
As one of our go-to restaurants for Asian-Western vegetarian food, Veda has a selection of refined, healthful plates for you to choose from. Amongst the gourmet offerings, the Silk Route momos are certainly worth a try. Stuffed to the brim with a creamy spinach and ricotta filling, these momos are the perfect interpretation of an irresistible classic. Don’t forget to dip your momos into the tangy tomato chutney before taking a bite.
Veda, 2 Arbuthnot Road, Central | (+852) 3755 3067
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