Mamma Bao - Augustenstraße

Two weeks ago, I saw the long line outside my hairdressers window (who is next door) and after his raving review, I decided to give it a try…turns out that I was lucky to only wait 5min inside on this cold winter morning. While sitting at the long table fumbling with my chopsticks trying to pick up a loooong Biang Biang noodle, I look at the young boy opposite me (assuming he is Chinese) who is picking up one noodle after another… effortlessly…looking at me weirdly…then, the lady next to him asked if I want a fork 🙈 No, I want to give it another go (I can eat Vietnamese food with chopsticks!) finally I manage but sauce is splashed everywhere on the table. I highly recommend you don’t wear your best clothes!

While I fight with the next noodle, Yina who opened the place a couple of month ago, told me that a bowl only has 1-2 noodles, that’s how long they are. (Check out the video to I posted).

Apart from the noodles, I could only find pak choi 🥬 and garlic. For me that was too little green stuff but I heard most Chinese prefer this dish as the highlight is the biang biang noodle.

Here is a review on my experience:

✅ Simple menu with two main dishes (BIANG BIANG NOODLE AND BAO) as well as starters and desserts. Love it! ✅ Most dishes on the menu contain meat but I find two vegan noodle options: SIMPLY BIANG BIANG (10€) and BIANG BIANG TOFU & SHITAKE (12.50€) ✅ Super friendly and smiling service staff and owners :-) when you sit on big table in front of the kitchen window, you can watch them preparing the noodles.

❎ Be prepared for a long wait ❎ The place is packed and quite lively/noisy - if you want peace while eating, you’ll not find it during peak times ❎ Unless you know how to eat with chopsticks, it may be a little challenging, don’t come in suit or white shirt as it will get messy.