Indian street food
What are momos?
Momos are steamed dumplings from the Himalayan region, folded around a savoury filling and served with a fiery red chutney. They have become one of India’s most popular street foods.
From the Tapri Chai kitchen · November 2026 · 1 min read
Origin
Himalayan region
Method
Steamed
Dip
Chilli chutney
Fillings
Veg, paneer, more
01
What a momo is
A momo is a small dumpling made from a thin dough wrapper filled with finely chopped filling and steamed until soft and juicy. They are associated with Tibet, Nepal and the Himalayan parts of India, such as Sikkim and Darjeeling.
02
What goes inside
Vegetarian momos are typically stuffed with cabbage, carrot, onion, ginger and garlic, sometimes with paneer. The seasoning is mild, so the dipping chutney, made with tomato and chilli, carries the heat.
03
How momos are served
Momos turn up in several forms:
- Steamed, with a chilli dip, the classic.
- Fried, for a crisp shell.
- Tandoori, charred with spices.
- Tossed in sauce, such as schezwan or peri peri.
04
Why Indians adopted them
Momos arrived in Indian cities with Himalayan communities and fitted right into the street food scene: fast, hot, filling and cheap. Delhi in particular treats them as a street staple, and the fusion versions have made them a favourite across the country.
05
Peri Peri Momo at Tapri Chai
Our Peri Peri Momo is steamed dumplings tossed in a spicy peri-peri sauce, $15.99 in the Tapri Bowls section. Find them at 200 Kennevale Dr in Barrhaven, Ottawa, Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 11pm. The kitchen is 100% vegetarian.
Questions, answered.
What are momos made of?
A thin wheat wrapper filled with chopped vegetables or paneer, steamed until soft.
Are momos Indian?
They come from the Himalayan region, including Tibet and Nepal, and have become a very popular street food in India.
Are momos spicy?
The dumplings are mild. The chutney or sauce adds the heat, and peri peri momos are quite spicy.
Are momos vegetarian?
Vegetable momos are. At Tapri Chai everything is vegetarian.
How much are momos at Tapri Chai?
Peri Peri Momo is $15.99 CAD.
At Tapri Chai
Taste it for yourself.
Our kitchen in Barrhaven is 100% vegetarian. 200 Kennevale Dr Unit 104, Ottawa. Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 11pm. Closed Mondays.