Zohran Mamdani and AOC’s momo lunch in Queens wins the internet on his first day as NYC mayor-elect

Zohran Mamdani’s packed first day as New York City’s mayor-elect includes a power lunch meeting with Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) over South Asian food in Queens that is receiving a lot of love from netizens.

Mamdani shared photos from his power lunch with Representative AOC at Laliguras Bistro in Jackson Heights, Queens. The spread, featuring momo, tingmo, chilli chicken, aloo dum, and a cup of chai to top it off, is winning hearts across South Asian communities worldwide.

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

The meet also feels on-brand for Mamdani, whose election campaign frequently went viral for its nods to South Asian pop culture.

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

Mamdani’s victory has become a rare light of hope in US politics, especially for immigrant communities, which have been the target of US President Donald Trump and his policies.

Mamdani secured a historic win at the polls on Wednesday (November 5) after defeating Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa and political heavyweight former New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo.