The Nepali Buffalo Dumpling You Need To Try
The world of dumplings is vast and sometimes quite unusual, but always very tasty. The versatile dumplings are eaten all over the world, and they are usually very different from one country to another. CNN Travel defines them as a "pocket of dough filled with some form of savory or sweet stuffing" and claims they're most often sold as inexpensive and flavorful snacks.
In Poland, there are pierogis, often stuffed with ground meat, potatoes, sauerkraut, or cheese. Pierogis are typically boiled and then fried with onions and butter. Brazil has teardrop-shaped coxinhas, consisting of fried dough with shredded chicken filling. And in China, xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) is the king of dumplings, steamed in bamboo baskets and traditionally filled with pork and broth.
If you're an adventurer or a world traveler, you might've already visited Nepal, "the country of Mount Everest, the highest mountain peak in the world" (via Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nepal). Besides classics of Nepali cuisine such as dal bhat, a rice and lentils curry; the Nepali pizza called chataamari; and sel roti donuts, there's also a popular buffalo dumpling you need to try if you're ever in Nepal (per The Culture Trip).
Nepali momo dumplings are steamed and served with a spicy achar sauce
Nepal Restaurant reports that a classic Nepali dumpling you need to try at least once in your lifetime is called momo, and it's so prevalent in Nepal that you can get it in almost every restaurant. The dumpling wrappers are made from all-purpose flour and then stuffed with meat, vegetables, or cheese. The most popular type of momo is stuffed with buffalo meat, but there are also varieties made with chicken, pumpkin, spinach, and cheese. Once wrapped, pinched on top, and sealed, the momos are steamed and typically served with a spicy achar chutney based on tomatoes, garlic, ginger, cumin, and red chili paste.
If you need even more incentive to try them out, momos are actually on the list of the best street foods you can buy for $1, which is a steal if you ask us. And even though momos look like any other dumplings, Thrillist says that typical South Asian ingredients such as garlic, ginger, coriander, and green onions on the inside help differentiate them from the rest. And if you're more into sweets, don't worry, as CNN reports that ambitious and innovative vendors in Kathmandu offer modern interpretations of momos filled with Snickers and Mars bars, so everyone has a reason to try at least one.