Exploring Karachi's Food Streets: The MOMO Quest and the Secret Chutney Recipe

This year, I explored Karachi's food streets and restaurants and guess what I found everywhere? MOMOs! Many people think MOMOs are Indian, but they're not. In reality, what we're enjoying in Karachi are steamed dumplings. Dumplings are a part of many countries' food cultures and go by different names. Poland has Pierogi, Japan has Gyoza, Korea has Mandu, Afghanistan has Mantu, and in Pakistan, Gilgit people enjoy dumplings called Mamdu. But MOMO is a symbol of Nepal and a famous street food there. Sadly, I couldn't find the real MOMO taste and its amazing chutney in Karachi.

MOMOs here are often deep-fried and the thick dough didn't excite me after steaming. In Karachi they are selling dumplings, but they're not real MOMOs. It's like serving Pilaf in the name of Biryani.

Fortunately, I came across a food stall in Hussainabad, H&H, run by Mr. Jamil where they served the best MOMOs in the city. However, there was one thing missing “the authentic MOMO chutney”. On my first visit I noticed that even though he had the best MOMOs, his stall wasn't as busy as others. The excitement and action were missing.

I made a choice and shared my mom's chutney recipe with H&H's Jamil bhai. They had the best MOMOs, and if they had this chutney, it would be perfect. We prepared the chutney at home, offered free tastings and people loved it. Finally, I shared the recipe with Jamil bhai. Hoping that when I return to Pakistan next year, this chutney will be available all over Karachi.

Big thanks to @shrazi @rosecane @nazneen-ansari and Mehreen for helping me to execute this experiment.