Momos vs. Dim Sum: India’s Favorite Dumplings

Ah, dim sum Or should I say momo? That’s right! Whether you call it dim sum in China, momo in Nepal, or something entirely different elsewhere, these little steamed or fried dumplings have taken the world by storm. They’ve been around since ancient China, initially served as a light snack for travelers on the Silk Road. Flash forward a few centuries, and dim sum is now an iconic food experience across Asia and beyond.

Where Did It All Start?

Dim sum is Cantonese cuisine that first appeared  in China, especially in southern China. On the other hand, momo is a native of the Himalayan areas, specifically Nepal and Tibet, where it is a staple comfort meal. These dumplings, no matter where you eat them, have one thing in common: they're all lovely tiny packages full of flavor and love.

INTRODUCTION OF DIMSUM IN INDIA

Despite its strong Chinese culinary roots, dim sum has made a name for itself in India’s culinary, which reflects the nation's acceptance for a wide range of flavors and cuisines. Over the years, dim sum has become more and more popular in Indian cities, especially in major metropolitan cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Kolkata, where the emergence of pan-Asian restaurants and specialized dim sum houses can be attributed to a growing desire for foreign culinary trends.

Chinese immigrant communities brought dim sum to India through their food, particularly in Kolkata, which boasts a well-established Chinatown, which has a well-established Chinatown. Chinese cooking methods were combined with Indian flavors and ingredients to create Chinese-Indian cuisine, using regional ingredients and seasonings. Indian variations of dim sum can  include strong spices like pepper, coriander, and cumin. Traditional dim sum has mild flavors. Dumplings stuffed with spicy chicken, paneer, or even tandoori flavors, for example, may be available. In India, where there is a sizable vegetarian population, vegetarian dim sum has grown incredibly popular. Paneer, mushrooms, spinach, and even spicy potatoes are used as fillings which evolved over several decades in Kolkata.

The emergence of fine dining and international culinary influences in India during the past 20 years has coincided with the emergence of more authentic and traditional dim sum as we know it today.Apart from upscale restaurants, dim sum has also become popular in India's street food scene. Steamed dumplings, commonly referred to as momos (a dim sum variation from Tibet and Nepal), have been transformed into a popular street food. Momo stalls are a common sight on streets like Delhi,Mumbai, Kolkata and other major cities,where they provide students and office workers with pocket friendly, on-the-go snacks. Even though these street versions are usually made with basic ingredients like chicken or veggies, momos's success has undoubtedly helped dim sum become more widely known.

INTERESTING FACTS OF DIM SUMS

1) Dim sum in the modern day

Dim sum means ‘touch the heart’ in Chinese.

2) TEA TO COMPLEMENT DIMSUM

In ancient China it was believed that drinking tea with Dim sum burns away some of the fat from your meal           

3) DUMPLINGS AND CHINESE NEW YEAR

On the eve of Chinese New Year,  jiaozi (dumplings boiled in water) is served with a coin placed in the center of the dumplings. Whoever bites into the dumpling with a coin will have an exceptionally lucky year and possibly a chipped tooth.

4) DIM SUM CAN BE STEAM,FRIED AND BAKED

One of the unique aspects of dim sum is the variety of cooking techniques used. While many dim sum dishes are steamed (like har gow or siu mai), you’ll also find fried options (like spring rolls and taro dumplings) and baked items (like BBQ pork buns).

5) SOME DIM SUM ARE SWEET

While many dim sum dishes are savory, there are also sweet options like custard buns (Liu Sha Bao) or egg tarts (Dan Tat). These make for a perfect end to a dim sum meal, balancing the richness of the savory dishes with a touch of sweetness.

6) DIM SUMS OLYMPICS

Dim sum chefs take their craft seriously—so much so that there's a competition known as the Dim Sum Olympics. This event challenges chefs to create intricate and delicious dim sum under time constraints. Precision, speed, and creativity are key, as dim sum is known for its delicate and detailed presentation.

TOP PLACES TO HAVE DIMSUMS

1) Jia

Jia, a pan Asian restaurant located at Colaba, Mumbai serves Chinese, Japanese and Thai plates in an upscale setting. Jia aims to offer modern interpretations of traditional Asian dishes, which is reflected in their dim sum offerings as well. Some of Jia’s best-selling dim sum are the Truffle Edamame Dumplings, Spicy Crystal Dumplings, Prawn Cheung Fun with Chilli Oil, Spicy Har Gow with Truffle, and Caviar Dumplings. 

2) Wong’s Kitchen

We love momos and pizza will always be our BFF. However, have you ever considered combining the two? fine people at Wong's Kitchen located at Rohini Sector 9,Delhi sure can! This recipe is filled with full of flavorful ingredients, lots of spices, and melting mozzarella.

3) House of Mandarin

House of Mandarin, an award-winning Asian restaurant by Rachel Goenka, is situated in Mumbai's Bandra and Powai districts. Their menu offers a wide selection of dim sum that can be baked, pan-fried, or steam-fried. The House of Mandarin's best-selling dim sum items are the corn and water chestnut dumplings, Mandarin-style mushroom dumplings with porcini cream and gold leaf, and chicken and chili oil dumplings

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4) Baoshuan

Some of the best dim sum in town can be found at Baoshuan at The Oberoi Hotel in New Delhi. The Michelin-starred chef Andrew Wong recently revised their menu, creating a fresh selection of real dim sum dishes. Duck dim sums are a must-have, with their nest-like structure resembling an egg puff pastry (a delicious mouthful of chopped, mildly sweet duck). The dim sum coated with caviar is a delectable dish to try with prawns. Try the rice dim sums for delicate tastes.

5) Dimcha

Located at Greater Kailash (GK) 1, South Delhi. A dedicated dim sum restaurant, Dimcha pairs its dumplings with specialty teas. While soups, sushi and some main dishes are also on the menu, the dim sum are the stars of the show. Choose from vegetable and chive, edamame and truffle, mushroom and vegetable in khow suey curry, spicy prawn or chicken dumpling in chilli oil.

MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

I can still clearly recall the day first time I had momos at Chandni Chowk New Delhi. I had always heard about the street food culture of Old Delhi, but that day, I was in search of something different, something less traditional than the usual chole bhature or parathas. As I approached the momos vendor, I could already smell the aroma of freshly steamed dumpling being served to other costumer. With variety of option  to select such as paneer momos, chicken momos, veg momos, I preferred to try chicken momos. As I took a bite, the flavor exploded in my mouth. A mix of soy sauce, garlic, and ginger with a soft doughy exterior. It was simple but packed with flavor. Having dim sum in Chandni Chowk felt like blending cultures—East Asian-inspired food served in the heart of Old Delhi. The combination of the new and  familiar momos in the lively chaos of Chandni Chowk, made it an unforgettable first experience.

FINAL THOUGHTS

So, is it dim sum or momo? Honestly, it doesn’t really matter whether you’re sitting in a bustling Cantonese tea house or grabbing a plate of momos from a street vendor, one thing is certain: your taste buds are in for an unforgettable ride. For me, dim sum and momo aren’t just about the food. They’re about the experience—, the inevitable food coma that follows, and, of course, the memories made around the table.

If you haven’t tried them yet, what are you waiting for? Grab your chopsticks (or a fork, or your fingers no judgment), dive in, and let the dumpling obsession begin.