Passion for cooking leads to new business

After Ambika Acharya moved to America, she discovered her passion for cooking. Then she found Momo Corner restaurant, and in 2018 she purchased the store from its owner. 

The restaurant is mainly focused on the traditional Nepali dumpling dish momo. They offer many varieties, including chili momo; jhol momo, which is momo in soup; and sadako momo, which is marinated momo with spices. The restaurant also offers other dishes such as chow mein; paneer tikka masala, a marinated paneer cheese dish served in gravy; and thukpa, a noodle dish served in soup. 

The interior of the restaurant is small but neat, with a comfortable environment to enjoy a meal. Frequent customer Greg Johnson said he gravitates toward Momo Corner because he enjoys both the food and the atmosphere there. He also likes the more modern look of the restaurant.

Customers like Johnson are often introduced to Nepali culture through friends and coworkers. 

“I have a lot of Nepali friends so I eat a lot of Nepali food. I even picked up some of the language,” he said. 

Acharya, the owner, explained that she is happy to have so many non-Nepali customers.

“We feel very proud that the people here appreciate and like our food and culture,” she said. 

Baldwin sophomore Kavya Odari also frequents the restaurant. 

“The momo there is superior to all other momos, and the workers are all really nice,” she said.