After several decades of eating here, it still tastes the same
Ma Mon Luk for me is a nostalgic experience. Whenever I can I try to stopover to buy their asado siopao to bring home to my family. The restaurant could use a touch of paint and could probably use some updating (because it also smells old) but the food is amazing!
My dad would always bring us here when we were little so I can say I grew up eating their special mami and siopao. This is easily my favorite siopao of all time. It's really meaty and tasty. The sweet sauce compliments the saltiness of the meat inside. I also like the simple flavor of the chicken mami noodles. Its hearty and filling at the same time.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
Because I live nearby, my family has been visiting this Institution until this day. My late father and mother had a favorite spot where I still sit whenever I dine in this eatery (I am 56 years old already): facing the large old standing photograph of the founder. The flavor of the mami is still similar today, best with their traditional asado or special siopao and mysterious porky (oyster and pork soup combined?) sauce. Another mami eatery, Ma--k-, now having more branches than Ma Mon Luk, offers a much lighter mami soup flavor...hence I think this eatery is truly the undisputed Mami King. Even balikbayans and a lot of oldtimers love this place. It is good they have expanded their menu to include their now in-demand beef mami, as well as crispy chicken, pancit canton, sweet-sour pork, etc... Although still not airconditioned, I come back for that flavor that cannot be copied, or imitated, by any one of the noodle soup houses even if you go to China, HongKong, United States or even anywhere in the Philippines! However, do not expect any Michelin-star fantasies when you dine in this eatery, but the Chinese food here is simple but historically authentic, that is why I give it a 4 and come back for more!
Isa pang nostalgia review. Lagi kaming dinadalhan ng tito ko ng Special Mami at Asado Siopao. Nung bata pa ako ang sinasabi yung sabaw e amoy (aba malay ko ba e bata pa ko nun) tsaka yung "alamat" ng Asado Siopao. For sure alam nyo na yun pero para sakin masarap sya kung ano man sya. Buti na lang at hindi ako kumakain ng dine in dito kaya d ko naranasan yung mga sinasabi ng mga reviewers natin. Minsan nga subukan ko yung iba pa nilang pagkain. :)
Fortunately, there’s spacious parking area but only limited.
Waiting time for orders takes too long. And nothing special about their mami/siopao.
Siopao is already cold when served.
Food is incredibly delicious. if you are looking for a place to travel back in time, this is the place to be. It's like frozen in mid 80's or 90's. Mami and siopao is a must.
We always loved dining here. Even with its old and gloomy restaurant in QC. Their crew has been serving for several years now. Their mami and siopao are the best. Except their Quiapo branch. We had mami with a fly swimming in it.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
Since we passed by near Banawe we decided to take a sip and taste the said original Mami of Ma Mon Luk.
Starting with the Place:
You know it's old just by looking at its entrance. The Big space, can serve many customers in. Looking and sitting around gives me this cozy feeling where I remember an old traditional provincial houses. The furnitures are pretty historic as well, my heart is filled with joy when I saw the old sewing machine and old giant iron as displays.
Service:
Since there were plenty of customers out there, and few servers they have, you really have to wave wave wave and catch their attention if you want to be serve fast. Note that the place is not air conditoned and only have giant ceiling fans. 😅 Take out order is easily processed since they have line for it separately.
Going straight to the Food now :
We have ordered The Special Mami and their Siopao special - asado with salted egg. The taste of the mami is quite refreshing in a way that it is not really like the spicy, oily, garlicky, ma toyo maming gala which they call it or like pares mami or beef mami.You know the authentic chinese taste that they have in soup. Some may not appreciate the taste at first even I as well doesn't like it since it is too bland , but after more sip or two and putting fish sauce eventually I loved it and appreciate the taste more. The linamnam taste was in there. The meat was tasty. 👌 Siopao on the other hand, was not the tinipid na siopao like. If we are talking about the stuffed meat inside it, Men! you got the right place. Sauce is unlimited don't you worry about it. 😂
Price :
The special Mami is worth 110 for small and 120 for large it's just 10 peso difference so might as well ordered the large one. Siopao on the other hand is 70 pesos, well that is for the one with salted egg. Orayt, not bad for the siopao though but for the Mami price it's kind of expensive compared to other mami.
Wrapping up the review as it was too long, sorry. If you want something warm especially on rainy or cold days you might want to try this out. I forgot they have fried chicken, beef mami , siomai, lumpia. Dont expect too much , just welcome the unusual and good taste , enjoy the moment, the old people who talk about their memories, (yes majority of the customers are lolo and lolas or seniors). After all , everyone taste buds are different.
VERDICT:
Will I visit it again?
Not always , occasionally. *Dont get me wrong, i loved the food, but it's something you want to reserve on certain days that you want it. ✌️*
Their special jumbo siopao and chicken or beef noodle soup are my favorite eversince I could recall. They still taste as good as the first time I have tried them. I have good memories especially at their Araneta Center branch which is close to our F. Manalo, Cubao home.
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