Where to eat BHUTAN 🇧🇹 Basel: Mister Momo Dumplings

Mister Momo Dumplings

Güterstrasse 253, Basel

What we ordered: For three people, one chicken box, one beef box and one shrimp box. Each “box” was a plate consisting of a stir-fry of vegetables with a chosen protein, white rice and three vegetable momos. To drink, we had a sparkling water, a Sprite and one iced mint tea.

Cost: 75 CHF / €80 / $88

Mister Momo Dumplings is a tidy shop near the Basel train station in a hip neighborhood. With around a half dozen tables and a counter where you order directly, everything is made fresh to order. The staff of this family-run shop makes the momo dumplings on the spot, behind the counter, one tray at a time. The food was tasty, affordable and fast. If you cannot dine in, by all means consider take out.

Momo are steamed round dumplings made famous by Tibetans, which are also popular in Bhutan and India. These sun-shaped dumplings are widely available in many Swiss cities due to the immigration of Tibetans. The momos on offer were tasty and varied in flavor and fillings. The spinach ones popped and offered a vibrant green stuffing.

As far as the “box” or plate went, the momos were served with a stir-fry of vegetables and a protein of choice and a side of rice. Given Switzerland is landlocked, the choice of shrimp may have been an error as the chicken and beef looked and smelled just a bit tastier. Everything was served with an abundance of chilis on the side, as Bhutan may be one of the few places chilis are considered a vegetable.

While no alcohol is served, there are some nice spots to have a nightcap in the area and plenty to explore in this quieter Basel quarter during the day as well. As it is behind the station, not out the main exit, it is easy for many travelers to overlook the area and indeed our friend, a professor at the university, confused the spot for another on the other side of the station.

In any case, it is worth the journey, albeit compared to the mountain trails of Bhutan, calling it a trek might be a reach. Mr. Momo Dumplings is a locale to savor the flavors of Tibet in exile, which has had greater influence on Bhutanese cuisine than neighboring China and India. This is surprising given that like Switzerland, the country has larger neighbors and no outlet to the sea.

How to get to Bhutan from Switzerland:

There are no direct flights from Switzerland to Bhutan.

Holidaymakers should opt for flights to New Delhi, India or Kathmandu, Nepal and from there travel on to Paro International Airport near the Bhutanese capital of Thimphu. Druk Air offers direct flights between New Delhi and Thimphu. Bhutan Airlines offers a few additional options between Kathmandu and Thimphu.

Swiss Air flies nonstop between Zürich and New Delhi, while Air France, Air India Emirates, Etihad, Ita Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, Oman Air, Qantas, Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines all offer connections to New Delhi. From Geneva, Finn Air offers an additional connection.

To Kathmandu, Qatar Airways, Thai and Turkish Airlines offer the most direct routes from Zürich with the shortest and fewest layovers. From Geneva, Emirates, FlyDubai, Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines offer the best and shortest connections.

How many people from Bhutan are in Switzerland: Dozens, not more

Distance between Bern and Thimphu: 7,246 km

Distance from Mr. Momo Dumplings to Thimphu: 7,219 km

Learn how to make Bhutan's national dish, ema datshi, and about its origins.

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