LITTI AND MOMOS GOING TOGETHER IN BIHAR

Capital finds fresh taste in Tibetan delicacy - Momo stalls mushroom all over capital, favourites of both college students and office-goers

AAROHI KESHAV

Customers gorge on momos at a roadside stall in Patna. Picture by Ashok Sinha Patna, Feb. 14: Along side the litti chokha and egg roll, it is the momo — a Tibetan steamed dumpling that is rulling the streets of Patna. Merely a year ago, one could hardly find a momo stall in the state capital except for one at Mauryalok complex. However, within a year, momo stalls have mushroomed all over the state capital. One can now easily spot a group of college students and office-goers stopping for a quick bite of the tasty delight. Manoj Kumar, the first to open a momo shop in Patna said: “A year ago, only youngsters and visitors preferred it.” He said: “Now, my stall is buzzing with customers of all age groups. In the evening, one has to wait for 10 to 15 minutes to merely place their order.” He said: “The sale is good on weekends, which goes up to Rs 3,500 to 4,000, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays, people here prefer vegetarian momos because of their religious belief. Each plate of non-vegetarian momo is priced at Rs 40, (eight pieces) vegetarian momos cost Rs 20, for eight pieces and paneer momos cost Rs 30.” Momos are made with flour-and-water, the dough is then stuffed with a mixture of meat and vegetables. Piping hot, the momos steamed or fried are served with a spicy sauce and a bowl of steaming soup. Pratiksha Kongari, a college student who was standing at a momo stall surrounded by her friends said: “Quite often, we come here and gorge on tasty steamed momos. I love momos because they are not spicy and oily. Moreover, steamed momos are supposed to be good for health.” She said: “It is a tasty delight for us because we are tired of having the usual street food like bhel puris and egg rolls.” Abhiroop Sinha, a management student said: “Whenever I have an urge to have non-vegetarian food, I prefer having a mouth full of momos.” Momos are not only famous among the youngsters but the craze for the delicacy has really caught on with the senior citizens of the capital too. G.D. Verma (65) was enjoying the delicacy in the company of his wife when this correspondent caught up with him. A smiling Verma said: “I like momos because they are steamed and tasty. Because of my health problem, my doctor has advised me not to consume oily food. Whenever I wish to eat snacks, which are non-spicy and non-oily yet delicious, I opt for momos without the sauce without any second thought.”