Zohran Mamdani’s first day as mayor-elect served up politics with a side of chai and momo

Forget the power lunch salads, New York’s youngest and first Muslim and South Asian Mayor-elect,
Zohran Mamdani, started his first official day after his historic win with a decidedly delicious, down-to-earth meal: chai and momos.

The 34-year-old Democratic Socialist, who clinched the city’s top spot, gave the public a glimpse into his “busy first day” of interviews, transition announcements, and meetings. But the true highlight, according to his social media post, was lunch with his Congresswoman, the progressive firebrand Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC).

The power pair met up at Laliguras Bistro, a popular Indian and Nepalese eatery nestled in the diverse Jackson Heights neighbourhood of Queens. Far from standard political fare, the pictures Mamdani shared showed AOC enjoying a hearty spread that included steaming cups of chai (spiced tea), fluffy momos (South Asian dumplings), aloo-dam, and what appeared to be paneer tikka with bao.

A busy first day as your Mayor-elect: early morning interviews, transition announcements and meetings. More to say on all of it tomorrow.

But a highlight was lunch with my Congresswoman @AOC at Laliguras Bistro in Jackson Heights. pic.twitter.com/vKWpNyrI09

— Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@ZohranKMamdani) November 6, 2025

Mamdani’s
victory speech, which included a famous quote from India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, and ended with the iconic beat of the Bollywood hit “Dhoom,” cemented his promise to embrace his identity fully.

“I am young, despite my best efforts to grow older, I am Muslim, I am a democratic socialist and—most damning of all—I refuse to apologise for any of this,” Mamdani declared to his cheering supporters after his meteoric win.

Mamdani’s choice of food and company marks a fresh tone to the City Hall, trading old-school politics for a more vibrant, community-driven style.