Exotic Nepal is as close as your plate

Robinson Gupta, owner of Deer Horn, offers momos and more. [Photo by Donna Mah/China Daily]

The only "momo" I had heard of before entering this Nepalese restaurant were the famous white peaches with the same name from Okayama prefecture, Japan.

The other thought was, "Nepalese? I thought this was a British pub." Fortunately, the food here at the Deer Horn, in Mui Wo on Lantau Island, is delicious - especially the momos, or Nepalese steamed dumplings.

I love dumplings. I will eat them at almost any opportunity, be they Italian ravioli, Chinese jiaoji, Japanese gyoza, or Ukrainian perogies.

Order your momos stuffed with chicken, lamb or vegetables. All momos are served with a homemade dipping sauce made of roasted soybeans, garlic, onion and tomato. The sauce is a bit nutty, slightly tangy - and flavorful.

My favorites are the lamb momos, which are served on Friday nights for HK$85 ($11) and come with a bottle of Gokha (Nepalese) beer.

All the momos are slightly spicy, and for vegetarians the vegetable momos are a really satisfying treat. The flour wrappers are thin with just the right amount of softness and chewiness.

As for the Nepalese, Italian, and British combination of dishes on the menu, it became clear as we sat that the restaurant has a mixed clientele of regulars who come in for the beer and momos, hikers enjoying a meal before their ferry ride back to Central, as well as a lot of families.

The non-spicy dishes, including pastas, salads, fish and chips and chicken cutlet, are popular with the kids as well as those who cannot take too much spice.

Cheese made from the milk of yaks that graze on Himalayan alpine pastures also features here. Served either in unadorned slices or as fritters, this mildly flavored cheese can be enjoyed with a fresh crisp Greek salad or as a starter.