Embracing the increasingly diverse culinary scene in Dhaka and keen on sharing the flavours of Darjeeling and Sikkim, Rajgir Dewan, the founder of Denzong momo bar, felt a void in the city's momo offerings. Having studied in Darjeeling, he found himself longing for the delightful taste of authentic momos in Dhaka.
Expressing his motivation behind this, Dewan shared: "The absence of satisfying momos in Dhaka inspired me to create a space where I could bring the unique taste of Darjeeling and Sikkim to an appreciative audience. Bangladesh's openness to new culinary experiences provided the perfect opportunity to showcase these distinct flavours."
Food
All the momos arrived steaming hot, and as we took our first bite, the rising steam assured us that they were undeniably freshly prepared.
Their Darjeeling vegetable momo features finely chopped vegetables seasoned with a blend of salt, pepper, and masala, including ingredients like carrots, ginger, sesame seeds, and a garlic clove. The standout qualities of these momos lie in the exceptional quality of the ingredients and the marination process.
The Himalayan beef momo owes its prominent umami flavour to the beef just used in the marination. Combined with other fresh ingredients, each bite offered a rich and nuanced satisfaction as we eagerly consumed them.
As for the chicken and cheese momo, they are uniquely spiced yet true to the promised flavours. Packed with generous portions of chicken and cheese, the tantalizing aroma of cheese captures your senses from the moment you pick one up, lingering until every last bite is savoured.
Next, we had the pan-fried chicken momos stand out from the crowd because they are pan-fried rather than steamed, providing an immediate change of pace from the steamed version we had just eaten. The slight crunch of the exterior and the savoury, flavorful filling caught our attention.
We found their Darjeeling chicken momo to have the most salt and the least amount of chicken in the filling, so we were left wishing that they cut back on the salt and be more generous with the chicken, even though it was still quite fresh.
Both the fresh tomato chilli chutney and the chilli oil that accompany the momos provide delicious flavour and a welcome spiciness to the dish.
The price range for these momos at Denzong momo bar are Tk110 and Tk500.
Ambience
The Denzong momo bar stall, situated in the urban void food court in Bashundhara, will transport you to the essence of traditional street cuisine almost instantly, evoking a classic and nostalgic atmosphere.
The delightful scent of freshly prepared momos with the vibrant and invigorating energy of the bustling streets and the colourful stalls, guarantee a smile on your face. This setting is particularly well-suited for the cooler months of the year, providing a cosy and inviting atmosphere, especially in Dhaka.
Challenges
Opened in 2019, Dewan said: "The biggest challenge has been to navigate the cultural nuances to maintain authenticity and adapting to regional recipes."
Finding genuine Darjeeling and Sikkim-sourced ingredients has posed logistical challenges, he added.
There will be a price increase to account for inflation and the present economic climate, both of which have been challenging for the momo bar.
We have changed the pricing to account for inflation, and over the following 15 days, we will have to increase the nominal value to price," Dewan added.
Verdict
We absolutely loved the distinctive flavours, especially the piping hot servings of their pan-fried chicken momo, Himalayan beef momo, and chicken and cheese momo. Our top recommendation includes pairing them with the fantastic chilli oil and the equally impressive tomato chutney.
Considering the location, we find the price range reasonable for street food, making it an all-encompassing experience. Don't miss the chance to savour the authentic glory of Darjeeling and Sikkim momos; I think it's an experience worth relishing.