Ma Mon Luk

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.

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!

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.