Nepali Momo Steamed Dumplings (Printable)
Soft, juicy dumplings filled with spiced meat or vegetables, steamed to perfection with flavorful dipping sauce.
# Ingredient List:
→ 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, 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
15 - Salt and black pepper to taste
→ Dipping Sauce
16 - 2 medium tomatoes
17 - 1-2 fresh red chilies
18 - 2 cloves garlic
19 - 1/2-inch ginger
20 - 2 tablespoons roasted sesame seeds
21 - 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro
22 - 1 teaspoon lemon or lime juice
23 - Salt to taste
# Directions:
01 - Combine flour and salt in a large mixing bowl. Gradually add water while kneading until a smooth, elastic dough forms. Cover with a damp cloth and let rest for 30 minutes.
02 - Mix ground meat with onion, garlic, ginger, green onions, cilantro, soy sauce, vegetable oil, cumin, coriander, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Blend thoroughly until spices are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
03 - Divide dough into 24 equal portions. Roll each into a thin 3-inch circle. Place 1 tablespoon of filling in the center. Fold and pleat the edges together to seal, forming 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 until skins blister. Peel and combine with chilies, garlic, ginger, sesame seeds, cilantro, and lemon juice. Blend until smooth. Season with salt to taste.
06 - Arrange steamed momos on a serving plate. Serve immediately with the dipping sauce on the side for dipping.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- These little parcels of comfort transform simple ingredients into something that feels like a warm embrace
- The juicy filling and tender wrapper create that perfect bite thats impossible to stop eating
02 -
- The dough needs to rest adequately or it will keep shrinking back when you try to roll it thin
- Overfilling the momos is the most common mistake, so start with less filling than you think you need
03 -
- Adding a small cube of butter inside each momo before sealing creates an incredibly juicy center that surprises and delights
- The char on the tomatoes for the dipping sauce adds a subtle smoky depth that elevates the entire dish