The ritual of afternoon tea is one that we love here at Good Food Middle East and when a culinary institution redefines a classic experience, it has our attention. Given that Amsterdam is a key European travel destination with multiple direct flight routes from Abu Dhabi, Dubai,and Jeddah, we made a point of experiencing the latest offerings at MOMO Restaurant, Bar & Lounge during our recent visit to the city.

The name MOMO Cha, which translates to ‘tea,’ focuses on an exclusive selection of delicate green teas and bold blends from across the globe, ensuring the beverage pairing is given the same careful thought as the culinary offerings. Here, the recently unveiled concept sees the traditional tiered server replaced with steaming bamboo baskets. The experience unfolds at MOMO’s chic setting, sited within walking distance from Museumplein (the museum district).

Menu Highlights

The savoury journey begins with the presentation of a five-tiered bamboo tower, each layer offering a textural and flavour contrast. It commences with a duo of melt-in-your-mouth Toro gunkan, followed by Wagyu Aburi crispy rice squares, where the delicate, smoky meat meets a satisfying crunch. The Cha continues with expertly executed pastry work—buttery, flaky Duck puffs that boast a subtle sweetness. The experience is expertly paced by the first pot of tea—a fragrant infusion comprising mountain flowers from Tibet—the warmth perfectly complementing the tender Lemongrass chicken skewers. Sesame prawns are up next, featuring a crisp, crunchy mouthfeel with a juicy, sweet interior. Concluding this course is a pillowy-soft bao packed with rich beef brisket, where the accompanying pickles lend essential crunch and tangy notes.

Transitioning to desserts, the Taiyaki is a refined alternative to the scone, generously filled with a strongly flavoured matcha clotted cream, to be smeared with red fruit and lychee jam. The Ube crème brûlée is a delectable take on the classic, with the chocolate mochi adding a cooling sensation. Meanwhile, spoonfuls of the Raspberry and yuzu Swiss roll offer sweet and zesty notes. While sipping a soothing Kyoto tea with Sakura (cherry blossom), enjoy the Coconut and ginger madeleines with black sesame but save room for the truly innovative finale: a turnover-shaped Calamansi marshmallow with cotton candy and yoghurt, that reveals a nostalgic surprise.

Details: The MOMO Cha is priced at €79 per person.

Address: Hobbemastraat 1, 1071 XZ Amsterdam

Contact: +31 (0)20 671 7474 or visit momo-amsterdam.com