Himalayan Cuisine and Hot Pot, Dorjee Momo, Coming to Eastern Market Starting January 27th!

317 7th Street, SE

From a press release:

“Dorjee Momo is creating a more permanent home for Tibetan fare in DC with the opening of its residency in Bullfrog Bagels Eastern Market beginning January 27. This follows six months of private home dinners, events like Emporiyum and Illuminasia Festival, pop-ups at Thip Khao and Sally’s Middle Name, and lunch service at Dupont Circle’s Shop Made In DC.

“I am so excited to share the foods that I learned to make as a child in Tibet, and to play with the flavors and ingredients from places I have traveled to,” says Chef Dorjee Tsering. “When I cook with my team here, it gives me the feeling that I’m back with my family.”

“Sichuan Hot Pot with meats, vegetables, and tofu.” Photo credit: Farrah Skeiky/Dim Sum Media

A former Buddhist monk and Tibetan refugee, Dorjee has lived in Tibet, China, Nepal, and India. He spent years cooking across those countries and creating his own memories of flavors that are so often nostalgic for many. A few years after arriving in DC, he started Dorjee Momo out of Union Kitchen with his wife and business partner Amberjade Tsering.

Those travels mean that the menu, divided into sha (meat) and tsai (plant-based) includes more than momo (dumplings): guests will enjoy Thentuk (Tibetan hand-pulled noodle soup), Shapta (savory marinated beef with green onion and ginger), Indian-inspired plates like Masroor Daal and Jeera Rice, and Nepalese specialties like roasted seasonal vegetables with Nimbu Achar (sun fermented fragrant lemon).

Perhaps most exciting for DC residents who habitually visit the surrounding suburbs for their favorite foods: Dorjee Momo will offer Sichuan Hot Pot, becoming the only district restaurant to do so. Those flavors include spices like star anise, cloves, lemongrass, ginger, and cippolini onions. Paired with Tibetan tea service, or cocktails from Big Bear Cafe’s Jim Coleman and Thip Khao’s Jack Caminos, dining at Dorjee Momo will simultaneously be an opportunity to enjoy underrepresented cuisines in a comfortable and intimate setting. The cozy second floor of Bullfrog Bagels provides just that with 22 seats (plus five at the bar). The space will undergo a daily transformation before dinner service.

“Eastern Market is a special neighborhood for us because the area has a strong sense of community, and neighbors are very active in supporting local businesses,” says Amberjade. “We want to create an experience where our guests feel welcomed and connected, so they can relax and form deeper relationships with each other over a meal. I hope that our guests feel it is a warm and comforting place of refuge from their hectic days.”

DETAILS: This residency will run through summer 2018 and potentially beyond. Meat and plant-based dishes are priced from $7 to $18 each. Hot pot starts at $35 per person. Cocktails range from $9 to $14. Select menu items will be available on UberEats. Those interested in previewing Dorjee Momo’s vegan dishes can purchase tickets to a pop-up dinner at Big Bear Cafe on January 14th via dorjeemomo.com/events.

WHERE: Bullfrog Bagels (second floor)

317 7th Street SE

HOURS: Thursday-Sunday, 5:30pm-11:00pm”