Mandala restaurant & bar blog

Visit: Melbourne restaurants; Mandala restaurant and bar, South Yarra

It's the classic image of monsoon—a plate of steaming, tender momos against a backdrop of the rain dripping off the eaves of your neighbourhood momo pasal. On a damp rainy day, Nepal's favourite snack takes the prize as the best warming device, no contest.

Still, although Kathmandu residents can probably claim the most momos eaten per capita or the most momo joints per square kilometre, the humble dumpling travelled a long way before arriving in the Valley.

Xi'an, the ancient Chinese city that served as the seat of 12 imperial Chinese capitals, is regarded as the home and birthplace of the great dumpling tradition. Dumplings were included in arrays of delicacies called dim sums, literally translating as 'to touch your heart'. Approximately 600 years ago, during the Ming dynasty, ear-shaped dumplings resembling the silver and gold ingots used as money began to appear. Called jiaozi, these became part of the traditional Chinese New Year celebrations.

Dumplings began their southward march across the Himalaya when traditional Chinese dishes were passed on to Tibet. There, they changed shape and were usually paired with a hot soup to ward off the cold. These hardy treats crossed the mountain passes into Nepal, and then down into Sikkim and beyond. The jiaozi also travelled north to Japan, where they are called gyoza. Momos today are generally bite sized, although varieties range from kothey, which are the same shape as the ancient Chinese jiaozi, to open, palm-sized momos with a variety of fillings. Everyone has their own favourite little momo spot, and debates can rage for hours on which size, shape, dough and filling is the best. The best, or worst, thing about momos in Kathmandu is that everyone has a different place where they claim the most delectable and juicy momos are served.

Steamed & Pan Fried, you can now try the delicious Momo's at Mandala with homestyle tomato and chili achar. Enjoy dining in the zen courtyard or in the restaurant surrounded by beautiful mandala art.