Nepali Steamed Momos Recipe at Home
Hand-folded Nepali dumplings filled with spiced chicken and served with fiery tomato-sesame chutney — easier than you think.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup water (for dough)
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 small onion, finely minced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 inch ginger, grated
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- 1
Make the dough: combine flour, a pinch of salt, and water. Knead for 8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover with a damp cloth and rest for 30 minutes.
- 2
Prepare the filling: mix ground chicken, minced onion, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, cilantro, green onions, pepper, and salt. Mix well in one direction for even texture.
- 3
Divide dough into 24 small balls. Roll each into a thin circle, about 3 inches across, keeping the edges thinner than the center.
- 4
Place a tablespoon of filling in the center of each wrapper. Fold in half and pinch to seal, crimping the edges with small pleats.
- 5
Line a steamer basket with cabbage leaves or parchment paper. Arrange momos without touching, leaving small gaps for steam.
- 6
Steam over rapidly boiling water for 12-15 minutes until the wrappers turn translucent and the filling is cooked through.
- 7
Serve immediately with spicy tomato-sesame chutney.
Chef's Notes
Momos are the beloved street food of Nepal and the Himalayan region — delicate dumplings filled with seasoned meat or vegetables, steamed to perfection, and dunked in a spicy tomato chutney. At Spice Room, our momos are one of the most popular starters on our menu.
The Dough
Momo wrappers are simpler than you'd expect: just flour, water, and a pinch of salt. The key is kneading until the dough is smooth and elastic, then resting it for 30 minutes so it becomes pliable enough to roll thin without tearing.
Folding Techniques
The classic half-moon fold is the easiest for beginners: place filling in the center, fold in half, and crimp the edges. Once you're comfortable, try the traditional pleated round fold for an authentic look.
The Chutney Makes It
A proper momo chutney combines roasted tomatoes, sesame seeds, Sichuan peppercorns, and dried chilies — blended into a smoky, spicy dip that's absolutely essential. Stop by any of our three Denver locations to try our signature version with house-made chutney.
SPICE ROOM Kitchen
Culinary Team
The SPICE ROOM culinary team collaborates on recipes inspired by generations of family cooking traditions from across India and Nepal. Every recipe we share is tested and refined in our Denver kitchens to bring you authentic flavors at home.
Skip the cooking
Try Nepali Steamed Momos Recipe at Home at SPICE ROOM
Love this recipe? Taste the original at any of our 3 Denver locations — made fresh by our chefs daily.
Serving neighborhoods across Denver:
