News / St Nick's Market
Bringing a taste of Tibet to Bristol
Ugyen Choephell is bringing the beloved social occasion of eating Tibetan dumplings to Bristol.
Momo Bar has opened in the Glass Arcade of St Nick’s Market, specialising in filled steamed dumplings.
Called momos, the Tibetan delicacy is being offered by owner Ugyen who promises that “once you have momos, you always want more and more momos”.
is needed now More than ever
“It’s a great social gathering of food so it’s very special to us Tibetans,” the 56-year-old from Whitehall says.
“We come together and drink chhaang while someone makes minced beef, someone chops onions and another makes the dough. We all sit round and make it, drinking, singing and dancing at the same time.”
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Ugyen has been on the street food scene since 2015, serving momos at markets, festivals and events, including at the Seat Unique Stadium in Ashley Down, the home of Gloucesterhire Country Cricket Club – “a hell of an experience”, according to the chef and business owner who first came to Bristol in 1999.
From the sauces to the dough, he makes everything on offer at Momo Bar from scratch, and has even painted the St Nick’s stall according to a traditional Buddhist style.
Ugyen’s plans to open somewhere permanent were dashed by the pandemic, adapting to see chilled and frozen dishes when restrictions were in place.
Now, Momo Bar has opened in the much-loved market, close to Matina and the Crafty Beans Cafe.
The best way to get to Momo Bar is from the St Nick’s’ entrance opposite Castle Park
The stall serves boxes of momos filled with chicken and onion, beef and onion, mushroom and potato or spinach and cheese (£7 to £9), as well as thukpa noodle boxes (£7.50 to £9.50).
Ugyen adds: “It feels so good to open here and I’m really enjoying it, and I believe I can do it really well.
“I’m just trying to bring Tibet closer to Bristol. People love to travel to Tibet and Tibetans are everywhere, in India, America, England, so what I want to do is bring momos home so everyone can enjoy it.
All photos: Betty Woolerton
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