Tihar, the Nepali festival of lights, runs from Saturday, 7 November to Wednesday, 11 November this year. It’s five days of oil lamps, marigold garlands, Laxmi Puja and Bhai Tika, and like every good festival, it comes with a lot of food and a lot of people to feed.
We’re Momo Cook Truck, a small kitchen on wheels on Fremont Boulevard serving street-style momos and Indo-Chinese favorites. Our momos are made fresh and cooked to order, so they arrive hot and juicy.
Here are eight picks for your Tihar table, from the momo platter everyone reaches for first to the sweet-and-spicy snack that disappears in minutes.
PANEER MOMO
Start with the one that keeps vegetarian guests happy. Our Paneer Momo are steamed dumplings filled with paneer, a soft milk-curd cheese, plus onion, ginger and spices, and they come eight to an order with our house-made tomato, sesame and garlic sauce. They’re soft, rich and gently spiced. Many families keep Laxmi Puja vegetarian, which makes these the easy centerpiece for the big night.
CHICKEN MOMO
For the meat lovers, the Chicken Momo is the classic. Steamed dumplings are filled with chicken, onion, ginger and spices, then served eight to an order with the same house-made tomato, sesame and garlic sauce. Order one paneer and one chicken and you’ve got a platter that works for everyone. Still deciding on a style? Our steamed, chili or fried momo guide walks you through it.
PANEER CHILI MOMO
Want your paneer momo with a kick? Paneer Chili Momo take those same steamed dumplings and saute them in our house-made Indo-Chinese chili sauce. You get a saucy, glossy, slightly sticky plate with a little heat and a lot of flavor, still served with our tomato, sesame and garlic sauce on the side. It’s the plate that gets people talking at the table.
CHICKEN CHILI MOMO
The chicken version is just as tempting. Chicken Chili Momo are sauteed in our house-made Indo-Chinese chili sauce, so every dumpling is coated in a bold, tangy glaze. They’re great for the cousins who always ask for something spicy, and they pair nicely with a cooling glass of MANGO LASSI. Put them in the middle of the table and they won’t last long.
CHICKEN FRIED MOMO
If your crowd loves crunch, go for the Chicken Fried Momo. They come with a crispy exterior and a juicy chicken filling, eight pieces to an order, served with our house-made tomato, sesame and garlic sauce. They hold up well on a party platter, so they’re a smart choice when guests are arriving at different times throughout the evening of celebrations. Pair them with a plate of steamed momo for a little of both textures.
HONEY CHILI POTATOES
Every festival spread needs a snack people can pick at all night. Our Honey Chili Potatoes are fried potato fingers tossed in a sesame honey chili sauce that’s sweet, spicy and wonderfully sticky. Fair warning: you’ll be licking your fingers. They’re a fun side for kids and adults alike, and they balance out the savory momo perfectly. Order a double portion if you’re hosting; one plate never seems to be enough.
VEGGI HAKKA NOODLES
Need something hearty to round out the meal? Our Veggi Hakka Noodles are street-style wok-fried noodles with cabbage, onion, carrots, green peas and spices, and they’re vegan, which makes them easy for mixed groups. They’re smoky, filling, colorful and great for sharing straight from the box. Our Hakka noodles or Triple Schezwan guide has more ideas if you want to mix things up.
VEGGI MANCHURIAN BALLS-SEMI GRAVY
Finish the spread with a little Indo-Chinese comfort. Our Veggi Manchurian Balls come in a semi gravy, made with mixed vegetables and our house special sauce. Traditionally, Manchurian is a saucy, savory, slightly tangy dish that’s perfect spooned over noodles. It’s the dish that ties the whole table together, and it’s a lovely vegetarian pick for Tihar evenings with family.
Feeding the whole family this Tihar? Order straight from us through our own online ordering: ordering direct means we get the full order with no app commission.
Happy Tihar from all of us at Momo Cook Truck on Fremont Boulevard.
