It doesn’t matter if you call them dumplings, momos, or even manti, it is a delicacy that everyone can get behind. With its soft outer covering and deliciously filled center who wouldn’t want a yummy dumpling to try out for dinner. Unfortunately, as popular as they are in our neighboring country, we are yet to catch on with this delicious trend extensively. Don’t worry though because we’re not that far behind in the dumpling department. Here are 7 places in Lahore that do every kind of dumpling you can think of!
1. They have essentially perfected the science and art of making Kimchi
Meraj Ellahi, with an ever-growing love for food and different cuisines, is the founder of the renowned The Kimchi Girl (@thekimchigirl_). As a food enthusiast, the lockdown turned into a time of experimentation for her and that’s how she ended up making her first-ever batch of Kimchi. It is a traditional Korean dish that is a fiery mix of fermented vegetables. In Korea, they eat it with almost every meal of the day. Kimchi also has amazing health benefits (low fat, immunity-boosting, great source of vitamins A, C, E, K, gut probiotics, and more).
Kimchi is an extremely versatile dish that can be used in pancakes too. Tried and tested by the editor herself, the dumplings were absolutely to die for. From the very first impression of the looks of the dumpling to the way it was so professionally crafted to just the perfect ratio of filling to dough, these dumplings were simply delicious. Even the packaging that it came in was cute. Their dumplings paired with their tangy dipping sauce that comes with each container are a combination that everyone must try. The only improvement, however, can be the addition of a spicier version of her dumplings for all the heat lovers like me but she has promised me that she’ll be coming out with that soon! She has four different, popular types i.e. Veal & Kimchi, Chicken & Kimchi (which is my personal favourite), and Mushroom & Kimchi. Everything, from the way she packages her food to the taste and wrapping of the dumplings, screams professional.
Her dumplings are priced between the range of Rs. 1450 to Rs. 1750. And, in more delightful news, she has a wide variety of additional kimchi products such as Kimchi Pancake Batter, Kimchi Butter, and the OG authentic Napa Kimchi. Check out her products here!
2. This 42 year old’s lifelong passion is food and his work shows just that
Salman Uppal is a true foodie at heart. He loves to travel and it was his trip to Nepal where he fell in love with momos and just had to bring them back for all his Lahori’s to try. He launched Oh! Mo:Mo (@oh.momo) after taking a food workshop in Nepal and perfecting the art of making the perfectly balanced momo. Momos, to him, are the excellent blend of spices, texture, softness and the filling. He first launched his business as a stall at CokeFest and got an overwhelming response for his momos. It was this immense appreciation and support from his customers that led him to setting up his own home based kitchen and officially launching Oh! Momo. His brand also has a very retro Bollywood vibe to it so that it’s a fun, approachable place that people will relate to. His passion project, his momos, take inspiration from the authentic flavours and recipes that he learnt in Nepal and his variety ranges from the basic momo to items he has curated in accordance to Lahori taste such as the Paneer Kurkure Momo. They are priced between the range of Rs. 350 to Rs. 420 and the frozen momos are priced at Rs. 850 to Rs. 1050 for 24 pieces. Place your order here!
3. This doctor and avid organic gardener has had a love for dumplings for forever
Sarah, who is the mother of two beautiful autistic children, has always known dumplings are her comfort food. Her and her husband both love cooking and they used it as a way to reconnect after years of marriage. Eventually, it turned into a passion that she wanted to share with everyone and then came Sarah’s Pantry (@sarahs_pantry). The journey started as her having her husband bring her frozen dumplings any chance she got, to her sister-in-law gifting her a dumpling maker which set her on the track of launching her own business. All her delicious frozen dumplings are made by her, from the filling to the shaping she overlooks and does everything herself. She even makes the wrappers at home to ensure hygiene and quality. Her dumplings come by the dozen and she has delicious varieties of filling such as Chicken and Zucchini, Prawn and Spinach, and Miso Glazed Eggplant. They are all priced between the range of Rs. 1200 to Rs. 2000. Check out her stuff here!
4. Their momos take inspiration from the traditional Tibetan, Himalayan and Nepali ways of cooking
The Momos Shack (@themomos_shack) is a Tibetan Bistro that almost every Lahori foodie knows about. This highly reviewed business is all about authenticity, from its recipes to its products, they believe in providing an unmatched quality experience that keeps their customers coming back for more. They also understand the importance of being pocket friendly so that their food is something that everyone can try and have on a regular basis. Their selection of momos simply melt in your mouth and come with a variety of sauces and dips on the sides which just makes the experience better. Their momos come in all shapes, sizes and fillings such as Honey Mustard and Chicken Momos, Green Chilli Momos, and Teriyaki Momos. They are budget friendly, averaging at Rs. 1000 for 16 delicious momos. Check out their delicious momo variety here!
5. This brand was started by a self taught food fashioner
Tooba started her business, Tooba’s Kiosk (@toobaskiosk) with dumplings as a part of her very first menu. She is a crazy dumpling fan and her love for the food sent her on a search throughout Lahore that proved futile. So, she began perfecting her own recipes and her own dumplings so that she could add to the market something that it was clearly lacking. She has tried and tested many different folding techniques, fillings, tweaked recipes till they were perfect and tried different methods like steaming, frying and semi-frying. She took a good 6 months to perfect her skill before launching her brand and her dumplings. She has chosen to go with the authentic Gyoza style dumplings that are basically ground veggies and meat fillings. As a stay at home mom, she handles everything from the kneading to the pleating and the cooking of the dumplings. Her dumplings are priced at the range of Rs. 450 for half a dozen and Rs. 950 for a dozen. Click here to visit her page and see her dumplings!
6. Their smooth service and reasonable rates make them a place to try out
Deeb’s Kitchenette (@deebskitchenette) launched their authentic style dumplings after a trip up north. They visited Gilgit Baltistan together and in the wonders of the Ghizer Valley they encountered the delicacy that are Momos. Taking inspiration from those tastes and spices, they came up with their own recipe to match and provide that service right here in Lahore. All of the food is prepared by the family only and it is done so in an extremely hygienic environment to ensure not only taste but also quality. Her dumplings are Chicken and Chicken with Cheese which are all paired with authentic red chilli oil. They are priced at Rs. 350 to Rs. 590 for a dozen. Place your order here!
7. These homemade healthy dumplings will be delivered right to your doorstep
Fizza Rehmat launched FizzFit Bar (@fizzfitbar) back in April 2020. As a lockdown venture, her main goal was to help speed up your quarantine glow-up by providing you with delicious, healthy and low caloric meals. They are there to provide you with not only delicious food but also tips and tricks on how to watch your weight. Their weight watcher dumplings were introduced to their menu and are made with organic and healthy fillings and have a wholewheat covering which makes them perfect for all dieters. They are priced at Rs. 450 for a box of 8. Check out her work here!
All products are selected by the editors.