Momos Along the Himalayan Region

1. Momos Along the Himalayan Region How the momo is prepared and eaten, defines culture, religious practices, politics, geography, ethnic diversity, etiquette and the celebration of tradition

2. What Are Momos? Momos are dumplings originating in China and can be found along the Himalayan Region and throughout the Silk Road. They can be identified under the following names • Momo – Tibet , Kashmir and Nepal • Mog, - also in Nepal • Buuz - Mongolia • Jiaozi - China • Mantı - Turkey /Afghanistan/Armenia • Pierogi - Ukrain/Poland /Lithuania • Pelmeni - Russia • Mandu - the Korea • Gyoza – Japan • Wonton – Hong Kong • Samos – India

3. What Are Momos? • Classic Nepali Momo (Nepali Lamb Dumplings) • Chicken MOMO (Nepali Chicken Dumplings) • Vegetable Momo (Nepali Vegetable Stuffed Dumplings) • Nepali Shrimp Momo (Nepali Shrimp Stuffed Dumplings) • Kathmandu Delight Momo (Nepali Pork-Shrimp Stuffed Spicy Dumplings • Classic Sherpa Momo (Nepali Stuffed Dumplings, Sherpa Style) • Gorkhali Sweet Momo (Nepali Sweet & Spicy Dumplings) • Masala MOMO (Spicy Dumplings, Kathmandu Style) • Tibetan Momo (Non-Vegetarian Dumplings, Tibetan Style) • Sekuwa Momo (Nepali Dumplings Stuffed with Barbequed Meat)Paneer Momo (Nepali Ricotta Cheese Dumplings))

4. What Are Momos? • Sweet MOMO Achar (Sweet Tamarind Achar for MOMOs) • Classic MOMO Achar (Sesame-Tomato Achar for MOMOs) • Sherpa MOMO Achar (Spicy Soy-Based Dipping Sauce for MOMOs

5. Geography – Tibet in Yellow

6. Other Names Har gow -- Chinese shrimp dumpling Varenyky Kreplach Baozi (steamed) Khinkali Tortilini, Ravioli - Italy

7. History The culture is not uniform and has been in danger of being lost. Tibetans living outside of the country, are under the guidance the Dalia Lama, since the invasion of Tibet by the People's Republic of China in 1950

8. Tibet

9. Tibet

10. Tibet Muslim-style Beef Momo

11. Tibet Yak lunch with Tibetan Monks Kyle & Dan's Travels a real traveler from London

12. Geography: Tibet is isolated behind the great Himalayas covering vast high land areas with many mountains and valleys

13. The cuisine can be influenced by China, Nepal and India

14. Religions and Ethnic Diversity Buddhism

15. Religions Tibetan Muslim

16. Religions Bon

17. Culinary Etiquette Dining custom Foods Tibetan cuisine includes dried meat, cheese cake, caked, ginseng fruit cake, fried yak meat, sausage, stewed mutton, lamb’s head stew to name a few. Staple food includes: butter, zanba (roasted barley, yak butter and water), steamed cake with cheese, steamed cake, and of course dumplings and noodles. • Host and guests are seated in certain positions, they pick up food from the table placed them in front and eat them separately. • The old generation does not eat fish because their Buddhist beliefs refuse killing creature. Moreover, fish is a symbol of a dragon or river god which is holy for Tibetan people.

18. Prevailing Flavors Ingredients Fruits Very little fruits or vegetable can grow in Tibet, due to the cold and dry climate many places. Most of the people still live on yaks and sheep for their products. Where nothing but grass grows, the people are nomads who tend animals. They trade their animal products to farmers for dried vegetable, grains, flour, spices and other necessities. • Grains • Very little meat because Buddhism does not allow taking he life of another. • Meat is for the sake of survival. • Slaughtering animals from their herds, their way of life is still religiously respectable. Even monks and nuns, welcome the dairy and meat products that the nomads provide.

19. Ingredients Barley and Wheat Harvest

20. Ingredients Llassa Open Market