Dumpling · Lhasa Street Staple

Momo (藏式饺子, Tibetan Dumplings)

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The same dumpling shows up from Lhasa to Kathmandu under the same name — a rare street food that unites cuisines across the whole Himalayan trade route.

Small dumplings are filled with seasoned yak or beef and onion, then steamed or pan-fried and served with a spicy chili dipping sauce. They're sold from teahouses, alleyway stalls, and street vendors throughout Lhasa, including around the Barkhor Street pilgrim circuit.

Why it's made this way: Momos spread into Tibet through centuries of trade and cultural exchange across the Himalayas, and their small, sealed shape made them quick to steam and easy to eat on the move in a cold climate.