Two years ago, Ottawa engineer, foodie, traveller, and “jack of all trades” Rahul Bura and a group of friends joined forces for a fundraiser to raise money to help those devastated by the earthquakes in Nepal. They enticed guests with momos — Nepal’s version of the dumpling, a comfort food and snack sold by street vendors and tea houses around the kingdom. Steamed or fried, it is often filled with pork, chicken or veggies.
The group had so much fun planning that initial event that they formed The Momo Spot and began to build a brand, looking at ways to share Nepali cuisine with Ottawa on a more regular basis. After perfecting their momo recipes, they recently began calling up local restaurants that closed after brunch, hoping to secure a pop-up spot.
They hit the jackpot with Good Eats: the previous owner of the small Albert Street cafe, Mel Hein, had recently retired. (The cafe changed hands this past December.) Hein had been to Nepal in the past and even learnt how to make momos. She got The Momo Spot team hooked up with the new Good Eats owner; the pop-up is happening this Saturday.
The Details:
- What: The Momo Spot pop-up restaurant
- When: Saturday, Jan. 27, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
- Where: 388 Albert St. (Good Eats restaurant)
- Price: $9.99 gets you eight dumplings
- tickets here
City Bites Hot Tip: Don’t forget the sauce. Momos are traditionally served with a spicy tomato-chili-sesame dipping sauce. The hosts, who use ground sesame in their variation, will have spicy and non-spicy versions available, as well as a non-sesame sauce for those with allergies.
City Bites Hot Tip #2: If you can’t make it to this weekend’s event, start checking for The Momo Spot this summer at the Ottawa Farmers’ Market. Bura and his collaborators have applied to open a booth when the market moves outdoors — fingers crossed!