REVIEW: MYSTIC MOMO, Albany
Mystic Momo
40 Central Ave, Albany mysticmomo.com IG: @mystic.momo
We like it for: Momos (Nepalese dumplings), casual dine in for lunch, take out and delivery for dinner
Must try: All the dumplings. Try "C Momo" with your choice of momos in a sweet and spicy chile sauce, classic "Jhol Momo" with a sesame-peanut broth, and Nepali sweet tea. Don’t miss the matka dahi dessert yogurt.
Vibe: Bright, fast casual, no frills. Decorated with photos of Nepal while the wraparound shop windows overlook the daytime scene at Townsend Park where Henry Johnson Boulevard crosses Central and Washington to enter Washington Park.
Sound: Quiet, conversational; chat with the owner; Nepalese music.
About: In a former bank and onetime OTB at 40 Central Ave, Mystic Momo brought its colorful, crimped Nepalese dumplings to downtown Albany. Opened in July 2024 by husband-and-wife duo Sachin and Renu Maharjan, the spot overlooks historic Townsend Park at the intersection of Henry Johnson Boulevard, Washington and Central. The small menu focuses on their selection of handmade meat or vegetable Nepalese-style dumplings (momos) in varying shapes and colors so that the dumplings are easily recognizable. Choose from steamed, fried, or "kothey" (half-fried) styles and mix and match fillings from chicken or pork to mushroom and paneer. A standout is the more modern restaurant-style "C Momo" featuring sweet and spicy chile sauce, while the classic "Jhol Momo" presents dumplings in a tangy sesame-peanut broth.
Nepal is landlocked between India and China to the north so it’s not surprising to find paneer (Indian cheese) and vegetable and chicken chow mein and keema noodles on the menu. Beyond momos, the menu features Himalayan soup, sweet potato fries and traditional beverages like chiya (traditional Nepali milk tea) and mango lassi. Don’t miss the matka dahi, a traditional dessert yogurt fermented in clay pots.
Parking: Metered street parking.
Nearby: 1. Umana Yana (African/Global) 2. La Polleria Rotisserie (Peruvian) 3. Thai Garden (Thai) 4. Saba al-Yemen (Yemeni) 5. Cielito Lindo (Mexican) 6. Hot Spot Jamaican
