Each month, Exposed tucks into some of the best scran in Sheffield and finds out what makes it so good. This month, we’re up in Walkley speaking to Greg Walker and Linda Hennessy, the co-owners of Freak Street Café – a cosy, community-minded spot slinging out bold South Asian flavours and one very moreish speciality.
So, what are momos? Just a big dumpling, right?
Greg: Pretty much, yeah – similar to a Chinese dim sum kind of dumpling. They originate from Tibet, made their way south into Nepal where they became really popular, and then from Nepal into India. Now they’re everywhere over there – like a really popular fast food. The idea behind momos is that it’s a sharing food. Filling, cheap and very adaptable. We do our own take on them. Everywhere in the world there’s some kind of version of dumplings. Pierogi, gyoza, mandu in Korea, ravioli is kind of like it – all cultures have some equivalent. It’s like people just instinctively know to wrap tasty stuff in dough.
And how did you end up bringing them to Sheffield?
Greg: I was travelling in India and Nepal, and met this Nepali couple who were obsessed – having them two or three times a day. At first I wasn’t massively bothered, but then I started getting quite addicted. When I got back, I was like, I’m gonna have to learn how to make these things.
So Freak Street was born from that?
Greg: Yeah – first thing we did was a mate’s wedding. We offered to do some food as a gift, and it went down a treat. Then it was a few markets, like down at the Abbeydale Picture House, and we did Sharrow Festival. Then we started Secret Garden up at the Hallamshire – food, music and a great vibe. That’s when it really started to happen. Eventually we found this place and just thought, maybe it’s time.
And the name? Bit of a nod to the roots?
Greg: Yeah, there’s a street in Kathmandu nicknamed Freak Street. In the 60s it was the end of the hippie trail – people would end up there buying hashish and getting momos.
Still all about the momos or has the menu grown?
Linda: We’ve kept the South Asian street food vibe but added loads more – curries, samosa chaat, small plates, loads of vegan stuff. We rotate stuff on the menu quite often. Not a totally new menu every week, but there’s always something different on.
How’s Walkley taken to it?
Linda: From day one, it’s been brilliant. We had people queuing out the door on opening night – in January as well, which is always scary. People round here want something different. Every time we were trying to get any work done in here before we opened, people were knocking on the door asking what was going on. It’s been pretty steady ever since.
Follow: @freakstreetcafe
Pop in: 282 South Road, Walkley, S6 3TB
