Tsak Sha Momos

Updated Feb. 9, 2024

Tsak Sha Momos
Christopher Testani for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews.
Total Time
1 hour, plus resting time
Rating
4(455)
Comments
Read comments

Momos are shaped like half-moons or like plump round purses. And although they can be made with store-bought wrappers, most Tibetan households have a small wooden dowel reserved for rolling out the thin rounds of dough. Back in Tibet, wheat was even scarcer than meat, so momos were treats for special occasions like Losar, the Tibetan New Year celebration. —Julia Moskin

Featured in: Tibetans’ (Forbidden) Special Treat

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Ingredients

Yield:3 to 4 dozen
  • 1pound ground or finely chopped beef, about 15-percent fat
  • ½cup minced onion
  • ½cup minced cilantro stems
  • 3tablespoons minced fresh ginger
  • 2tablespoons canola oil
  • 2teaspoons minced garlic
  • teaspoons salt
  • About 48 round dumpling or gyoza wrappers (about 3¼ inches wide)
  • Sepen (see recipe) or other hot sauce or soy sauce, for serving
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (42 servings)

48 calories; 1 gram fat; 0 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 1 gram monounsaturated fat; 0 grams polyunsaturated fat; 6 grams carbohydrates; 0 grams dietary fiber; 0 grams sugars; 3 grams protein; 65 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Make the Filling

    1. Step 1

      In a bowl, combine the beef, onion, cilantro, ginger, oil, garlic, salt and 2 tablespoons of water. Using your hands or a spoon, mix lightly but well. Set aside, from 30 minutes to 2 hours, to develop the flavors.

  2. Make the Dumplings

    1. Step 2

      Lay 6 wrappers out on a work surface. Spoon about 2 teaspoons of filling onto the upper half of each wrapper. With a damp cloth, lightly moisten the edges of each wrapper and fold up and over the filling into a half-moon, gently pressing the edges to seal. To pleat the sealed edges, start at one tip of the half-moon and make small folds in the dough, pressing them flat as you work your way along the edge. There should be space for about 7 folds. Place finished dumplings on a nonstick surface and cover lightly with damp paper towels. Refrigerate if not cooking immediately.

    2. Step 3

      When ready to cook, boil water in the bottom of a large steamer. Spray the steamer tray lightly with nonstick spray and gently add the dumplings, making sure they do not touch. Steam in batches for 10 minutes, until the wrappers are slightly translucent, and serve immediately.

    3. Step 4

      To eat, spoon a dab of sauce onto a small plate. Pick up a dumpling and bite off one end; do not let the juice spill out. Carefully suck out the juice, then eat the rest in bites, dipping it into the sauce.

Ratings

4 out of 5
455 user ratings
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Comments

It's just flour and water. I would suggest 4 cups of flour with 2 cups of water. It will be a bit wet and sticky but it's easier to cut with some flour than it is to get a dry dough to malleability. Also, slightly sticky means that your momos will stay closed when you steam and not result in lost juice - which is my favourite part! Just make sure that when you roll out, you do it on a well floured board and do not flip the dough. That way, one side is sticky enough to close.

Made today with minced chicken thigh. Liberal with ginger and garlic, I added a couple of spring onions too. It was truly fantastic. Made 39 dumplings using wonton wrappers. Thank you!

Left over cooked momos can be frozen or refrigerated for a day, then browned in a skillet with a little vegetable oil. This is one of my favorite ways to eat them!

Any ideas for a substitute for the cilantro? Parlsey, thai basil, maybe? My husband and I can't abide the stuff; wish we could like it.

We don’t use cilantro- scallions are fine, enjoy!

Recently found a new, awesome, dipping sauce: Dumpling Daughter. Sweet and hot. Addictive. They also make dumplings.

Best when made with Yak meat and next day momos pan-fried in butter is a perfect meal.

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Credits

Adapted from Tenzing Bhutia

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