Alaknanda’s Momowalla

For some obscure, inexplicable reason, I’ve decided to start reviewing random food joints as well. Don’t ask me why, I just decided to, OK? My first review will be about a place I dubbed ‘Alaknanda Roadside Momowalla’.

I was returning from my maths class, which is on every Sunday morning and Monday evening. It’s in Alaknanda, and I prefer to catch Bus No. 540 from the market, which deposits me quite close to my place. This Monday, I was feeling a bit peckish in the evening. Now, I knew about the existence of the momowalla, simple because on a few previous occasions, I had seen some people roaming the market with momos. So it was a matter of just sniffing it out. That didn’t turn out to be a problem at all, since it was just facing the road.

Before I set off, let me define a momo: a momo, or dumpling, is made with flour-and-water dough, with some vegetables, or optionally, chicken as stuffing. A lot of these are put into a metal contraption, and then steamed, till cooked. Now these are quite healthy, apart from the dough, which is a bit heavy. But the main thing, is that they’re steamed, not deep fried in oil, which is good for your cholesterol.

Well, there isn’t any ambience to speak of, as of such, mainly because it’s at the side of the effing road, on a pavement. But then, there’s something different about roadside food, especially if you have a friend to feast with (which I didn’t). So in that sense, the momowalla is a roadside foodie’s ideal example of a place to catch a quite bite, because it is literally on the road side, unlike places like Haldiram’s and Bikanerwala, which aren’t really that roadside.

Of course, this means that health and hygiene goes for a toss. Almost. Well, to be honest, it’s the environment which is to blame. The road doesn’t help, and there’s a dustbin right in front of the aforementioned metal contraption. But on the plus side, the momos are kept in the contraption till you ask for them, and when you do, they’re not picked with bare hands, but using mega-tweezers with flat ends.

I’m sure that’s not the technical term. Dead sure.

So I walk up to the guys manning the post and ask for a plate of momos. What I forgot, is that there are usually 10 or so momos on one plate. A plus point: there are two sauces given, and that two on a different paper plate, so as not to mess up your momos prematurely. And all this for just Rs. 20. This is what I call value-for-money!

Naturally, there’s no place to sit, and it’s a bit difficult to eat with 2 plates to hold, so I set them down on a parapet of sorts, and proceed to stuff my face. The momos are hot, and are

stuffed reasonably well. I had ordered the vegetarian ones by the way. After about 6-7, I was getting quite full (as a matter of fact, after I got home, I refused to have any dinnner, it was that filling).

One small point : The fact that they bothered to have a dustbin of sorts, means that they do bother about people dropping paper plates all over the place, which is a nice gesture.

That pretty much rounds up my review on a small place with a very limited menu. But a satisfying snack. Be sure to check it out if you stop by Alaknanda market…

P.S. Smriti, Amna, please do check out this place if  you haven’t already…