Momo, a steamed and filled dumpling, is a staple in Tibetan and Nepali cuisine. Cafe Talk, with its unassuming functional interior, has a reputation for serving some of the most authentic momos in Sydney, and we made a visit to their Hornsby location while in the area.
Laphing ($9.00, +$1.00 for mai mai). This was a Tibetan dish that consisted of cold, slippery mung bean noodles served with a spicy and flavourful sauce, with notes of soy sauce, Sichuan peppercorns, and garlic. The noodles were soft and similar to a thin pancake, while the piece of tofu in the interior offered a subtle pickled acidity with a vivid, lingering fiery heat that enhanced each subsequent bite, striking a balance without becoming overwhelming. The inclusion of mai mai (instant noodles) was crucial, introducing a welcome crunch to complement the otherwise soft textures of the dish.
Buff Momo Chow Men ($18.00). This featured stir-fried noodles with vegetables and buffalo, accompanied by five buffalo momos and a housemade sauce.
The wok hei in the dish infused a smoky undertone into both the buffalo and noodles. Though the buffalo strips were slightly overcooked, they maintained a satisfying taste and texture. The buffalo momos were the highlight, delivering moist and flavourful parcels with delicate skin, reminiscent of xiao long bao but lacking the hot soup while retaining their juiciness. The buffalo offered a taste akin to beef with a hint of gaminess reminiscent of lamb. They were exceptionally delicious. The sauce served with the dumplings had a rich flavour profile, notably reminiscent of sun-dried tomatoes. We would consider returning to eat this dish and possibly indulging in an additional serving of buffalo momo.
Chicken Momo Chow Men ($17.00). This featured stir-fried noodles with vegetables and chicken, accompanied by five chicken momos and a housemade sauce.
The chicken version was pleasant and adequately seasoned; however, it paled in comparison to the depth of flavour of the buffalo version, making it somewhat bland. The dumplings, crescent-shaped with a well-seasoned filling and thin skin, were enjoyable. Nonetheless, our clear preference leans strongly towards the buffalo version.
Overall, this exploration of Tibetan and Nepalese cuisine proved enjoyable, and we would revisit for their buffalo-based offerings.
Cafe Talk is located at 282 Peats Ferry Rd, Hornsby NSW 2077