Momo House is a restaurant in Sharjah which specialises in momos, Nepalese dumplings. Located on Al Zahra Street in the Bu Tina neighbourhood near the Sharjah Health Clinic, its interior (spread over two floors) is a surprise contrast from its sandy, unkept surroundings. Step in and you are greeted by shocking red walls which, on the far end, hangs an electric bass guitar. Any preconceptions you may have had of what a Nepalese restaurant should look like will be shaken to its core. There’s a ping pong table upstairs which diners are encouraged to use. I should add that the restaurant was spotlessly clean and smoke and smell free.
A view from the street 
A view from the street 
Interior (downstairs) 
Bass guitar 
Ping Pong anyone?
For a dumpling, noodle and fried rice fanatic like me, the Momo House menu reads like a Playboy magazine. Besides the many fillings, there are basically two types of momos – steamed and fried, and you can have these mixed in sauce or plain (to dip in sauce). I choose one of each. Pan fried, like Japanese Gyoza, I like but deep-fried I’m not a big fan of. I also prefer my momos plain rather than smothered in sauce (irrespective of how good the sauce is). The traditional steamed chicken momos are mildly spiced with ginger, garlic, onion and Himalayan spices, and are fantastic, the best I have had in the UAE.
Traditional Fried Chicken Momo served with Spicy Sauce 
Delicious Chicken Broth 
Traditional Steamed Chicken Momo 
Traditional Steamed Chicken Momo
There are two types of noodles on offer too, Chow Mein and Thukpa; the latter being the Nepalese version of ramen noodle soup. I chose a chow mein because it would be easier to transport what I couldn’t eat (I am on a low carb diet and both chow mein and momos are no-no’s). If you haven’t yet tried a Nepalese Thukpa, I strongly recommend you do – it’s delicious and right on the button in this weather. The mixed chow mein I tried was served with a beautiful wok sear on the noodles – just the way I like it. I sprinkled on some chili vinegar and gobbled up FAR MORE than I had planned – okay dammit, I ate the whole plate full. What can I say? I’m weak when it comes to noodles.
Service at Momo House is as deliciously Nepalese as the food – genuinely warm, friendly and infinitely accommodating. I am totally smitten by this unpretentious restaurant and have absolutely no reservations in recommending it…even if it means having to tackle Sharjah traffic. I am going back for sure.
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Xerxes physically dines at, or orders from, each and every venue he reviews. He pays in full for whatever he and his companions eat, drink, take away or occasionally throw at each other. Xerxes accepts no money, gifts, discounts or free meals in return for reviews or favouritism. What you have read was NOT influenced in any way by the venue. Join me on Instagram @ravenousxerxes or email me on xerxes@dellara.com.