See this small but mighty restaurant a short drive away TONIGHT on ‘Diners, Drive-ins and Dives’

When husband and wife Pramod Lama and Phuntso D Phin received an email last year from the producers of the hit Food Network series, Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, they were certain it was a prank. A last-minute decision to respond would launch the culinary couple’s television debut.

Momo Ghar, the popular Nepalese restaurant located in Columbus, will be featured tonight on Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.” Unlike many of the other established eateries that make it on the show, Lama and Phin’s restaurant has only been up and running since May 28, 2016— a testament to their quick success.

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Credit: Momo Ghar's Facebook

Credit: Momo Ghar's Facebook

“We make everything from scratch,” Lama said. “I think people can taste it in the food. I mean I think that other people make the same dumpling— but they skip a bunch of steps... they don’t make their own dough, they buy wrappers (instead), or they don’t mince their own meat ... One small factor at a time effects the quality.”

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Lama, who takes care of the more technical bits of production, said his wife is the genius behind the food, making all of the most essential components of Momo Ghar’s dishes by herself with the secret recipes kept very much a secret. The restaurant’s sauce — which is what “brings everything together” — is made by Phin with no outside help to ensure it’s up to her standards each and every time.

“I have always said it will be Phuntso who will make Momo famous,” Lama said in a Facebook comment.

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Credit: Momo Ghar

Credit: Momo Ghar

Phin will be the star of tonight’s segment, while Lama said he’ll be getting his 10 seconds of fame “doing dishes and then taking out the trash.”

Prepping a meal for a guy like Fieri — who has a palette that’s been around the world — can be intimidating. Lama said, however, that Fieri made filming very enjoyable and that the couple’s personalities clicked well with the Food Network star’s.

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“My wife has a great personality and I’m very humble... I think I’m funny as hell,” Lama said.

You'll be able to see it all go down tonight at 9 p.m. EST on the Food Network. Phuntso and Lama will be hanging out at Callahan's Bar in Columbus from 8:45 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. to watch the show air if you happen to be in Columbus.

Want to visit Momo Ghar?

WHERE: 1265 Morse Road, Columbus, inside Saraga International Market

MORE INFO: Website | (614) 749-2901

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