By: Emma Belk
Momo’s Master: Nepali Himalayan Bistro
You wouldn’t think you’d be able to find authentic Himalayan food in the RDU area, but Momo’s Master is just that. In the kitchen, Chef Ramesh Dahal is cooking up his expertly crafted momo-based menu with side dishes and desserts that he curated from 25+ years of experience. The Himalayan food that he serves is most popular in Tibet and Nepal, where Dahal was born and raised. Momo’s is the first restaurant where I’ve been able to try Himalayan food and after my experience, I’m hoping it won’t be my last.
What’s a Momo?
You may be wondering: What is a momo? I definitely wasn’t all that familiar with traditional Himalayan foods before visiting Momo’s Master and found myself asking the same question. Momos are a type of steamed-filled dumplings from Tibetan and Nepali cuisine. At Momo’s Master, you can get momos filled with vegetables, chicken, bison, paneer, or lamb. You can get them steamed, roasted, or as part of a noodle dish. My personal favorite are the Chilli Momos. They are slightly spicy but the sauce adds a nice kick to the dish. Each momo order also comes with their two signature dipping sauces to try out.
Beyond momos, the restaurant also serves chef’s special dishes, like sliders and chicken tikka masala. They also serve Nutella-stuffed deep-fried momos with ice cream on their dessert menu and I was very tempted to try this time.
The Atmosphere
The atmosphere at Momo’s Master is very welcoming and charming. The restaurant itself isn’t huge but there is still plenty of seating for big and small groups. There is plenty of decor that is mainly Nepali and Himalayan art and pictures. Different colored lamps offer soft lighting and add ambiance to the whole dining experience.
Overall, the service of the Momo’s Masters workers has been great every time I’ve been. They are very helpful in understanding what to order and educating first-timers on what a momo is. They also happily answered my questions on what their favorite menu item is (this time the worker said “Johol Momos.” I always like to get the opinion of the chefs and workers when deciding what to order.
The Location
Momo’s Master is located just off Franklin Street as you start to head down N Columbia Street. It’s a little tucked away but there's a yellow sign that sticks out and is easy to see. As for parking, there’s a sizable lot on Rosemary Street that is normally free after 5 pm Mon-Sat and all day Sunday. It’s a short walk from that parking lot to the restaurant.
Final Remarks
If you’ve never heard of a momo before or you’ve never tried Himalayan food, I definitely would recommend going to Momo’s Master. Of course, you have to try the momos on the menu as the name suggests. Due to the rainy Friday afternoon, I decided to get takeout chili momos. I have eaten at Momo’s Master before and the taste is not a disappointment with their to-go food in comparison. Also, they gave me a high quality to-go container to reuse so keep that in mind.
Restaurant Info:
Address:
110 N Columbia St, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Hours:
Mon: Closed
Tues-Thurs: 11am - 9pm
Fri-Sat: 11am - 9:30pm
Sun: 11am - 9pm
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