by Sabina Feder ’25, FOOD COLUMNIST
On the north side of Utica, about 20 minutes from campus, is Muju International Groceries. This store certainly delivers on its name: the clean grocery store aisles are lined with ingredients that would otherwise be very difficult to find in Central New York, from fresh red chilis to frozen parathas. Grace Rai, a refugee from Bhutan, started the store when she first arrived in Utica and realized that many foods that were crucial for her cooking were just not available. During the pandemic, she began a grocery delivery service, and shortly thereafter, the store moved into its current lo- cation at Champlin Avenue in Utica. This store is easily worth the trip for the groceries alone.
Muju’s logo, a cat happily sipping some bubble tea, conceals the fact that this store is so much more. At the front counter, you can order bubble teas, chais, snack foods, and full meals. If you are already in the store, I highly recom- mend buying some food and a drink. Grab the veggie momos, a samosa, and a masala chai and reward yourself for stocking up that kitch- en. In an ideal world, you sit down in their decorated, cushioned seating area and eat all your food while it is piping hot. If you have the time, play a quick round of Chinese checkers.
As far as I know, Muju is the only place serving Nepalese food in the Utica area. Since they are not a restaurant, their capacity for prepared meals is limited, but they still have a range of foods to choose from.
Bubble Teas:
If you are making a trip just for bubble tea, I would not place Muju first on the list. Their boba is soft and chewy, but the ma- jority of the teas, from milk to Thai, didn’t have the strongest flavor and trend toward the overly sugar side. However, if you are already in the store and are craving bubble tea, I would recommend the coffee flavor. The coffee is strong without being bitter, and the sugar from the boba adds the perfect note.
Momos:
One order of these classic Nepal- ese dumplings is the perfect size for a quick, easy post-grocery snack: ten small, round dumplings, either steamed or fried. My favorite was the steamed vegetable because the filling had more flavor than the chicken. The dough is relatively thick compared to the size of the filling, but it’s hard to complain whenyour mouth is stuffed with steaming, soft momos that melt in your mouth and warm your bones. The sweet chili dipping sauce is essential to the experience. I also tried the momos in soup, but the sesame broth wasn’t my favorite. It had a bit of a chunky texture, and I didn’t think the flavor added much to the momo experience, especially when mo- mos stand so well on their own.
Chatpate
: I had never tried this dish before, and now that I have, I won’t ever go back. A classic street food in both Nepal and India, Muju’s chatpate consists of puffed rice, lightly pickled onions, and cilantro. It’s dressed with lemon juice, some chili, and a mix of spices. I couldn’t stop shoveling this into my face. One caveat: since it is puffed rice, you have to eat it right when you get it or the dish will get a little soggy. Muju gives you a box absolutely filled to the brim, so share with a friend. This is also the most bang for your buck. At just $4.99, it’s a no brainer.
Samosa
: It won’t take much to convince you: thick, flaky pastry. Heavily spiced filling. Heaven in your mouth. Go. It’s only $1.48.
Nepali Chicken Chaumin (also Chow Mein):
These noodles were the most under- whelming dish for me. I loved the spice in them (I got a medium), but from the first bite, I couldn’t get over the sweetness. This sauce is made with ketchup, and the artificial sweetness was a hurdle I couldn’t get over. I’m also personally not a huge fan of overwhelming sweetness in dishes I expect to be savory, but if you enjoy that, this dish is worth a try. Just make sure you get it spicy — the heat comes in after the sweetness hits and helps mellow it out.
Masala Chai:
Advance warning — this is piping hot. I burned myself on the plastic lid before any liquid even touched my mouth. After it cooled down just a little, I burned myself again because I was too eager to drink it. The cinnamon immediately hits you, and then the cloves and cardamom start to kick in. The sweetness level was exactly where I like it, not cloying but enough to give you a little jitter. They also gave me a little package of Parle-G biscuits to dip in the chai (Fun fact: this brand of biscuits is the best selling across the entire world). My only gripe was that I wanted more; the eight ounce cup just wasn’t enough for me.
Overall, although the food was really good, I wouldn’t come here for an entire meal. Their best food was the snacking dishes, which makes Muju perfect for a trip to stock your pantry and also put something warm and delicious in your stomach. I know I will come back to stock my kitchen, and I don’t think I will be able to leave without a little snack or drink. If you find yourself here and hungry, I would go with the masala chai, veggie mo- mos, samosas, and chatpate.