Nepali Momo Steamed Dumplings (Printable)
Soft steamed dumplings with spiced filling and zesty tomato dipping sauce
# What You Need:
→ Dough
01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
03 - 3/4 cup water (as needed)
→ Meat Filling
04 - 8 oz ground chicken or pork (or beef)
05 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1-inch fresh ginger, grated
08 - 1/2 cup green onions, finely chopped
09 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
10 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
11 - 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
12 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
13 - 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
14 - 1/4 teaspoon chili powder (optional)
15 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
→ Vegetarian Filling Option
16 - 7 oz firm tofu, crumbled or mashed
17 - 1/2 cup cabbage, finely chopped
18 - 1/2 cup carrots, finely grated
19 - Use onions, garlic, ginger, green onions, cilantro, soy sauce, oil, cumin, coriander, chili powder from above; season to taste
→ Dipping Sauce
20 - 2 medium tomatoes
21 - 1–2 fresh red chilies
22 - 2 cloves garlic
23 - 1/2-inch ginger
24 - 2 tablespoons roasted sesame seeds
25 - 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro
26 - Salt, to taste
27 - 1 teaspoon lemon or lime juice
# Directions:
01 - Mix flour and salt in a large bowl. Gradually add water while kneading to form a smooth, elastic dough. Cover and let rest for at least 30 minutes.
02 - Combine all filling ingredients in a bowl. Mix thoroughly until spices and vegetables are evenly distributed throughout the meat or tofu mixture.
03 - Divide dough into 24 small balls. Roll each into a thin 3-inch circle. Place 1 tablespoon filling in the center. Fold and pleat edges together to seal, creating round or crescent shapes.
04 - Lightly oil steamer basket or line with parchment paper. Arrange momos without touching. Steam over boiling water for 10–12 minutes until dough is cooked through and filling is hot.
05 - Char tomatoes over open flame or under broiler until skins blister. Peel and combine with remaining sauce ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth. Adjust salt and spice to taste.
06 - Serve steamed momos hot immediately with dipping sauce on the side.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- These dumplings freeze beautifully, so you can always have homemade comfort food ready in minutes
- The charring technique for the tomato sauce creates a depth of flavor you cannot achieve any other way
02 -
- The dough must rest sufficiently or it will keep shrinking back when you try rolling it thin
- Overfilling the momos causes them to burst open, so start with less filling than you think you need
03 -
- Adding a tiny cube of butter inside each momo before sealing creates an explosive juicy center
- Wrap the steamer lid with a kitchen towel to prevent condensation from dripping onto the dumplings