The only way I have ever used them has been for sprouting and adding to salads etc. rather than cooking.
In addition to India, they are also a staple in Chinese cooking. Have you ever ordered Lo Men or Egg Foo Yung?
Those sprouts they use are from mung beans. It’s extremely simple (and healtgy ) to sprout them. All you need is Mason jars, water and a few days rinsing.
They were real big with vegetarian hippie communes back in the day :)
I’ll bet they were served by “Wavy Gravy” and his crew at Woodstock.
http://leitesculinaria.com/76607/writings-woodstock-healthy-recipes.html