Momos first arrived in India, with Tibetan refugees settling in hill stations like Darjeeling and Dharamshala. Tibetan cuisine included mouthwatering momos that were unlike anything Indians had tried before. Their rising popularity led momos to spread to local restaurants and street food stalls in other parts of India. Creative chefs also started experimenting with more indigenous fillings like keema, tandoori chicken, paneer tikka, and aloo matar. Customizable with chutneys and sauces, momos can be adjusted to local tastes.
The momo craze has boomed even further with the arrival of momo-only cafes and quick-service restaurants. In every neighbourhood and office complex, you can now find a momo stall with steaming hot dumplings and chilled momo soup. From school canteens to train stations to corporate cafeterias, momos have become a ubiquitous Indian street food and snack.
Even though momos are loved by all, there are some vendors who have been experimenting with momos, and the end result is not so loveable. Here are some of the experiments whose results were not what people expected.
Pineapple Momos
A recent viral video shared by Jatin Kumar on Instagram showed an Indian street vendor putting an unexpected twist on momos by using fresh pineapple as the filling. He diced pineapple and wrapped the sweet, juicy fruit in the savoury momo dough before steaming and frying them.
When split open, the piping-hot golden momos revealed the bright yellow pineapple inside. The video quickly earned over 5 lakh views, sparking interest and commentary around this unorthodox fusion momo flavour. The creativity of using pineapple demonstrates how the classic steamed dumpling continues to evolve in new directions as it becomes more ubiquitous across cultures.
Image credit: Freepik
Momos Patty
Instagramer Foodpandits! (@foodpandits) shared a video of a street food vendor in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, who has prepared an innovative fusion snack by combining two beloved Indian street foods: momos and aloo patties. He began by sautéing spiced potatoes to make the aloo patty filling. Next, he wrapped the potato mixture in momo dough to form patties instead of dumplings. Frying the dough patties yielded crispy, golden momo-aloo patties bursting with potato filling.
Momo Paratha
In a video shared by YouTuber Foodie Incarnate, food blogger Amar Sirohi recently tried a bizarre food mashup: the momo paratha. This experimental dish combined the Indian flatbread paratha with the stuffing used in vegetarian momos. The paratha was stuffed with a spicy mix of cabbage, carrots and onions. It was served with chilli sauce and had the word "momo" piped on top with mayonnaise. Amar found the dish unsatisfying; it was oily, undersalted, and too spicy. This wacky fusion food highlights how some restaurants try too hard to invent viral dishes, sometimes disregarding taste and balance. Amar's review shows that creativity in the kitchen should not come at the expense of quality and flavour.
Image credit: Freepik
Pepsi Wale Momos
Hnv Street Food (@hnvstreetfood) recently shared a video on Instagram that caused quite a stir among food lovers. In the clip, a man pours Pepsi soda into a steamer full of momos, a type of stuffed dumpling, before cooking them together. The video sparked a debate, with some intrigued by the fusion idea and others adamant that the classic momo flavour should not be altered. Regardless, the viral moment showed how street food culture continues to push boundaries and experiment with inventive new takes on traditional recipes.
Image credit: Freepik
Momo Ice Cream Roll
The succulent taste of momos served with fiery chutney is a beloved dish that many can never get enough of. However, a recent video by food blogger @thegreatindianfoodie has sparked outrage by showing momos transformed into an ice cream roll. The vendor begins by crushing three momos and mixing them with cream and ice cream.
He adds the signature Momos chutney and spreads the odd mixture out before rolling it up and topping it with more cream. Since being shared, the video has gone viral with over 400k views and 8k likes, yet the comments show people's displeasure at this unappetizing fusion.
Image credit: Freepik
Momo Chai
The Mumbai-based food, travel and tech blogger Kashif (@foodiekashif) recently posted a video of a vendor making momo chai. The video shows a man dropping fried momos into a pot of simmering tea. He then ups the ante by stirring in two more unexpected ingredients: mayonnaise and Schezwan chilli sauce. The final result is a thick, orange-hued mixture that he enthusiastically samples, despite its unappetizing appearance. "For me, this ruins two beloved foods," says Kashif.
Image credit: Freepik
"The bizarre concoction makes me cringe. I cannot fathom drinking this odd chai. This video left me needing to splash cold water on my eyes to cleanse my palate," he says. As Kashif's video circulates across social media, it is sparking intense debate among foodies. Some are intrigued enough to say they would try this zany fusion, praising its inventiveness. The comment section is filled with strong reactions ranging from laughing emojis to declarations that this recipe is a crime against chai.
Momo Omelette
A recent viral video on Instagram shows a street vendor in Delhi making an unusual omelette using momos. The vendor fries pre-made momos in butter until crispy and golden brown. He then beats eggs with onions, tomatoes, spices and herbs and pours the mixture into the same pan. After one side of the omelette is cooked, he places the fried momos on the raw side. When both sides are done, he serves the omelette on toasted bread with condiments. Many internet users reacted negatively, saying "RIP Momos" and disapproving of the experimental recipe. The vendor claims he was inspired to create this dish because his daughter loves momos.