Momos and Dimsums have always had an identity crisis! Especially in our country where every ‘gora’ we think is either an American or a British, and sometimes we even mistake our own countrymen who have turned ‘gora’ thanks to fair and lovely. When we can’t differentiate between people, think of what happens to the poor Momos and Dimsums of the world! People think anything that has a covering and is filled with minced meat or vegetables are either Momos or Dimsums.
But, the two are not the same, there is a huge difference between Momos and Dimsums.
Firstly, Momos are originally from Tibet and Nepal and is a staple diet of the Tibetans and Nepalese living around the Himalayan region, while Dimsums are of Chinese origin and are not eaten as a meal but as a bite-sized snack during tea time.
Credit: onehalt.in
Secondly, while the covering of momos are thicker and made of flour(maida) or wheat flour, the covering of Dimsums is translucent and can be made with any kind of starch like rice starch, wheat starch, and potato starch.
Thirdly, Momos are stuffed with either minced meat or vegetables and steamed or fried (But we Indians like a little bit of desi tadka so have now come up with the Tandoori momos as well!). On the other hand, there are over two thousand varieties of dim sums! They can be filled with anything from prawns to any other seafood to sticky rice, tofu, pickled cabbage, noodles, vegetables, meat etc.
Credit: medibank.com.au
Lastly, while momos are found in every nook and corner of the streets, Dimsums are never sold on the street. In other words, Dimsums are more upper class!
Fun Fact: While Dimsums are actually served only until mid-afternoon as it is a tea time snack, restaurants today serve them for lunch and dinner too. Momos can be eaten anytime, anywhere!
Which one do you prefer? Momos or Dimsums?
