Shanghai's popcorn haven: Momochitl

In a country where going to the movies often means watching DVDs on the couch, finding good popcorn is key, and so far Shanghai popcorn options have been severely limited.

The gourmet kernels found at Momochitl, a boutique popcorn store that opened in mid-April, is hoping to fill that void and introduce a few variations that leave the simple "sweet" or "savory" labels in the dust.

A twist on a classic

Popcorn has been around for generations, but it has yet to really get a footing in Shanghai outside of cinemas.

“In the 16th century, Aztec Indians would use local popcorn as decoration in worshiping their gods,” explains Momochitl owner Patrick Lin. “Momochitl is the earliest word for popcorn.”

You could whip-up some popcorn up in the microwave, but it just won't look as good as these golden caramel kernels.

Going beyond sweet or salty options at local theaters, Momochitl offers not only classic flavors (think: plain, caramel and dark chocolate), but regional ones as well, including matcha, seaweed and curry.

Coming soon: spice and Xinjiang yangrou (mutton). Seriously.

Lin hopes to cater the traditionally Western snack to a Chinese sensibility.

“Chinese tastes are different from American ones -- in China, the caramel is not as sweet and the chocolate has a more gentle flavor,” says Lin. "Our popcorn flavors takes that into consideration."

A global product

Because of space constraints, the popcorn isn’t made on site, but cooked locally twice a day and brought to the store to ensure freshness and acceptable crunch levels.

Hand-popped in a large pot over a flame for two to three minutes at 250 degrees, the popcorn is then rapidly cooled. The final step is the seasoning, pouring in freshly melted chocolate or caramel, or crushing seaweed sheets over the corn.

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Lin incorporates an eclectic assortment of ingredients in his product: Vogel popcorn from the United States and health-conscious coconut oil from Malaysia are staples. Heartland-size kernels are covered in chocolate from Belgium, and curry from Taiwan.

Momochitl offers not only classic flavors -- plain, caramel and dark chocolate, but regional ones including matcha, seaweed and curry.

Concept and reception

It was while Lin was studying architecture in Scotland in 2003 that he became interested in coffeehouses, eventually opening his own in Beijing.

In Shanghai, he wanted to try something a little different.

“In my mind, popcorn is just like coffee in that it is very Western,” says Lin. "But I knew I could adapt the concept to China."

Though Shanghai's interest in popcorn for something besides its "Western-ness" has yet to be tested, the concept and taste succeed in authenticity. Glass popcorn bins and old-fashioned tins recall a typical American stand, and conventional flavors are well executed.

And with plans to open a second location also offering coffee and milk tea, Momochitl is the city’s outpost of quality popcorn and creative pairings.