Mama Lee - Williamsburg

A neighborhood gem! Tried the salt and pepper chicken, dumplings, cucumber, Lu rou fan, and bamboo shoots with shredded pork. Everything tasted fresh, and not too heavy or salty. Will definitely be back to try the rest of the menu! Mama Lee is the sweetest and it felt like a home-cooked meal, especially her soup, which she gave to us as complimentary! ❣️

Highly Recommend!! delicious home-cooked meal, we ordered eggplant chicken, beef noodle soup, dumplings and braised meat rice. We had taiwanese people in the party and they think its very delicious and authentic too!! The owner MamaLee is super cute and friendly, she came over and chatted with us and shared her life stories. When we left she gave all of us bottled sparkling water because it is hot outside and do not want us to dehydrate. Super sweet the vibe, environment and food made me fely like my grandparents cooked me an amazing meal in taiwan!! Highly recommend!!

Mama Lee was absolutely phenomenal. The level of service feels like you're visiting your best friend's parent's house and their mom is attentively taking care of you. Mama Lee packed some of our food to go in the cutest, well portioned out bento box. The pork chops and the chicken soup were to-die-for. Seriously a gem.

Great restaurant with very nice staff. It feels very homey. The vegetable dishes are pricey and basically the same price as meat. The favorite was the chicken soup and the fried pork chop. The braised pork over rice is definitely a good bento/meal though. Would be excited to get lunch bentos from here moving forward.

This is a really great restaurant where you can expect to get a taste of authentic Taiwanese family dishes. We tried and recommend the Pineapple beer, Lou Rou Fan(rice) and eggplant chicken. It might take Mama Lee a few minutes to get to you especially during busy hours, but it’s totally worth the wait. Mama Lee was welcoming, heartwarming, treated all guests like family members, checked on us multiple times with enthusiasm and sincerity. I don’t usually comment on places I’ve visited, but I’ll recommend people to this place. 🥲 The music is very 80s, decorated in a heartwarming modern aesthetic.

Beef noodle soup was excellent. Huge portion, so recommend sharing. Very causal dining experience with great service. Will definitely be going back to try more!

Mama Lee serves really heartwarming home cooked meals, and has become one of go to places whenever I seek comfort food. The restaurant owner (Mama Lee herself) is so kind towards her customers, offering warm greetings and services and free bowls of soup (if you desire to try them!) My favorite dish is the egg fried rice- I always end up wolfing it down before taking a photo, but the three cup chicken, beef noodle soup and lu ro fan are also yummy. The chicken, carrot and turnip soup is a great way to end the meal (light but flavorful broth). Definitely brings back memories of eating in Taiwan, in a cozy homey environment. The restaurant itself is clean, easy to have conversations with enough liveliness in the backdrop. Cannot recommend this spot enough :)

The best experience, food, service and atmosphere combination. Mama lee is a great place to grab authentic Taiwanese food, feel loved and welcomed. Who I believe can be the owner, was serving the tables, we went for lunch. She recommended exactly the amount of food we would need and was not trying to “upsell” us to order more food and not eat it, which was very much appreciated. We tried the pork rice cake and the Salt & Pepper (signature dish) chicken bento box (which contains, an egg, rice, salt&pepper chicken, rice, steamed beans, 2 fried dumplings and pickled beetroot). It was DELICIOUS and enough food for 2 people to share! On top of timely food service and all of the above, who I believe is the owner, followed us to the door, chasing us to offer us 2 bottles of water as it was very hot and humid that day! How thoughtful!! Never had this experience ever before from a restaurant. Truly amazing. I would definitely go back.

They've changed their setup since initial opening to be more of a sitdown service vibe, so you can directly interact with Mama Lee herself! Most of the clientele is families or couples. Such great customer service and we enjoyed chatting with her! The food is so delicious with the homemade touch and is deserving of more attention. This time we ordered the fried rice, salt & pepper fried fish, and she also had us try some of their soup which was so delicious and healthy. Portions are consistently large which is great for sharing. Glad to have this option available to us

Treated by Mama Lee herself! Sweetest lady with the best service -- she even refilled our beef noodle soup broth when it ran low. They're doing a lot with what looks like a tight staff. Enjoyed the beef noodle soup & lu rou fan but was especially wowed by the salt & pepper fried pork chops. What moreish seasoning -- couldn't stop gnawing at em. A must-get in my book.

Authentic Taiwanese food with great service and great ambiance! We got the the Lou Rou Fan, Three Cup Chicken and Egg and Tomato. Reminds me of my mom's home cooking. Five stars!!!

Yummy taiwanese food and friendly service! They have good lunch specials which are bento boxes. The aesthetic of the restaurant are on point too

Mama Lee is a homey, warm, wholesome, and cozy Taiwanese Restaurant located at 66 Grand Street in Brooklyn, NY. I do not go to Brooklyn often and was so lucky to find and try Mama Lee. My friends and I walked in on a Saturday evening around 7:30pm. Once you open the door, there is a large waiting area. We walked up the steps and Mama Lee greeted us and brought us to our table. There were only 2-3 empty tables at this time and busy with groups. The restaurant has a modern design and very spacious. Mama Lee took our order and our food came out in no time. She asked if we wanted rice and bought us complimentary soup which had a chicken drumstick, carrots, and daikon radish. The soup was so delicious and light. We ordered Cucumber with special sauce, Lu Rou Fan, Shacha Beef, and Three Cup Chicken. All the dishes were flavorful, mouthwatering, and portions were wonderful for sharing. My favorite was the Three Cup Chicken. Three cup chicken or san bei ji is one of the most classic Taiwanese recipes and I was really looking forward to trying it. The outer part of the chicken was crispy and inside was moist. What makes three cup chicken is the sauce which is a cup each of the three ingredients: rice wine, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Each bite was delicious. Mama Lee was busy doing everything. She was seating guests, doing takeout orders, bringing dishes out, checking in to see if guests wanted additional dishes and how it was going, checking out guests, and so much more. She had a smile on the whole time and offered superb hospitality. It felt like I was eating at home and had a wonderful time. I highly recommend everyone to go to Mama Lee. You'll have a great time!

WHAT A GEM OF A SPOT!!! The food was absolutely delicious - fresh and hot. The dumplings were crispy and juicy and the sauce was uniquely tangy. The lu rou fan tasted homemade and the pork was so tender. The salt and pepper chicken was delightfully crispy (without feeling greasy!). The owner was also so sweet and offered us complimentary tea and checked in to see if we needed additional rice. The restaurant is homey and decorated simply and sweet. I love this place.

Come here not just for the amazing food but also to experience the Taiwanese hospitality! We met Mama Lee when dining in, she's so sweet. The interior is simplistic while modern. The food is Taiwanese food but with a twist. For example, I was surprised by the shacha sauce used on top of the classic Lu Rou Fan (braised pork rice). The salt and pepper chicken was also not cooked the typical way as well, but I love her style much better! The batter was light and not overly greasy. I love the complimentary daikon soup they provide in the beginning. (which is actually quite common in Taiwan for meals to come with a complimentary soup at smaller shops/bento shops). The stewed chicken in the soup falls right off the bone - the ultimate comfort food! It does feel like the cooking comes from a mom's recipe. Highly recommend! :) One small suggestion though - if they can play Taiwanese/Mandarin music in the background, it would bring the experience to the next level!

Saw this place as we were walking around Williamsburg. At first we werent even sure if they were open. Walked in and ambiance was much diff than expected..bright and super minimalistic clean modern interior. Menu was fairly simple which is always a plus. Ordered beef noodle soup, cucumber salad, and popcorn chicken. 1. Cucumber salad (3/5) crunch but too watery and saucy and a bit bland 2. BnS (3.5/5) good flavor but noodles were overcooked 3. Chicken (2/5) too greasy and had no flavor except for strong fried msg smell that mimicked churros. Service was good (only 1 server working when we went but she was very nice and fast) but food was not impressive. Dont think i will go back.

Charming Taiwanese in Williamsburg with a lot of meals that remind me of home cooked meals. The food and decor are great, the service is also excellent given sometimes you are being served by Mama Lee herself. I'd say eating here in the restaurant provides a better experience than taking out as I felt the quality wasn't exactly the same. The beef noodle soup is extremely hearty, the lu rou fan had alot of extras in it that I wouldn't get at other restaurants like veggies on the side (can be good or bad depending on your preference), and the bamboo stir fry dish is excellent. The only negative feedback I have is the price per dish. This restaurant is on the more expensive side with dishes costing $20+ easily.

Food (4 stars): My favorite is the 3 cup chicken and the beef noodle soup. Fried rice was good but nothing crazy. Salt and pepper chicken is really good and crispy, as well. The chicken raddish soup is really good, as well!

I have nothing but good things to say about Mama Lee! When we first arrived, we were skeptical of the authenticity as it's located in a pretty hip, open space with eclectic art. However, we were pleasantly surprised. The food is delicious, with massive portions. Everything was so flavorful. We ordered the Lu Rau Fon, which was labeled as a small plate, but definitely could've been a full meal. It came with a tea egg, veggies, and pickled vegetables, as well as the fattiest pork belly that melted in your mouth. We also got the dumplings, which came with a spicy chili oil dipping sauce and were double the size of normal dumplings. We also ordered the salt and pepper pork chop. They came out as 3 massive, and perfectly crispy, pork chops. They were easily the best part of the meal. The food is all very home-style cooking, making it very comforting. We thought the dishes were on the pricey side, as the pork chops were almost $30, but it was well worth the price. They brought out a complimentary chicken and radish soup, which was a nice surprise. It was delicious and a great starter. The rice is also complimentary which we appreciated. Mama Lee herself came out and was incredibly friendly. She told us to ask her for more soup if we ran out and if we needed anything. She even ran to open the door for us when we were leaving! I was amazed by how friendly and hands-on she was with everything. When she packed our leftovers, she added an extra tea egg as well! You can tell that she really cares about this place and everyone's experiences. This is an incredible place and I'd love to come back to support it!

Mama Lee has some of the best service in Williamsburg! She was so kind and kept checking in on my party during our meal. The restaurant is very modern and minimalistic. I liked the Fish a lot but I wish there was a sauce that went with the dish. The Chicken Eggplant was saucy and good. The Lu Rou Fan wasn't bad but I would have liked it more if there was more fat in the meat. I definitely recommend this place for their service!

We've been wanting to try Mama Lee since they opened their location in Williamsburg a few months ago, in late spring of 2023. Described as "home-style, traditional Taiwanese food", Mama Lee recently started offering à la carte[1], and we had the opportunity to try a few of their dishes for lunch. Occupying a double-decker space with really high ceilings near Domino Park, the dining area has a minimalist vibe that feels unpretentious and welcoming. We started our meal with Lu Rou Fan, a Taiwanese comfort food classic of braised pork belly over rice. This version also included half a hard boiled egg, and it was truly delicious. This was perhaps the dish I liked the most of the ones we tried. The other dishes we had were the Beef Noodle Soup, and the Eggplant with Chicken. The Beef Noodle Soup was excellent: the broth is flavorful, the noodles are chewy, and it has a nice balance between meat and veggies. The chicken in the Eggplant dish is crispy and sweet on the outside, and tender on the inside. Also, if you like beer, there is an interesting selection of Taiwanese beers in a can. I can't wait to come back! As everything we tried was great, I just want to try all the other dishes on the menu. --------------------------------------- [1] Apparently, if you make a reservation through their IG page and request the "secret menu", they will prepare a surprise meal based on the ingredients available that day. 4 people minimum; you pay per person.

Got the Lou rou fan and the three cup chicken, super good and fresh food. Service is good and fast, fairly causal dine in spot.

I'm a sucker for Taiwanese food so decided to check out Mama Lee. Unfortunately they annoyingly don't offer an a la carte menu and only offer a set at $55/person (or something like that). You get 1 starter, 1 main, and a dessert. Annoyingly, they don't give you a proper menu to know what you're going to get. The server wasn't very helpful either and pretty much just said: rice or noodles for starters; pork, chicken, beef, veg for main but wouldn't give us any clue as to what we're going to get. That said, knew I had to ask for that popcorn chicken. Went with a friend so we split everything and got 2 choices for each: 1. Soup: some chicken soup that was very homey 2. Beef noodle soup: beef was tender; noodles were too soggy and overcooked 3. Lu rou fan: fatty, meh, standard 4. Popcorn chicken: good stuff. Could be better with some dipping sitch 5. Egg tart: not the best I've had. Custardy. Tart shell could be more crisp since it was kinda soggy Overall, Mama Lee is okay if you want home cooked feels and Taiwanese food. Is it the best? Nah. Also pretty pricey with that set menu imo. Would I come back? Nope, I'd rather go to 886 or check out another place. Food is decent (nothing amazing- just aight) but minus cause of the inflexible option to only get the set and the service when they were explaining the menu. More 3.75 vs 4

Finally got around to trying Mama Lee in Williamsburg. I know this is their second location and I personally have not been to their other location but was excited just by the fact that I am a sucker for Taiwanese food. Didn't see an online reservation system so walked in on a Friday evening around 6:30 and had no issues getting a seat. It seems that the front area has an order at the counter/takeout situation going on while the back area past the steps is table service. The space is serene and minimal and service was great, it made me feel like I was dining in someones home rather than a restaurant which I loved. For two people we ordered three dishes-- the fried dumplings, pork belly over rice bowl, and three cup chicken. Dumplings were probably my personal favorite! I've never had fried dumplings with such an absorbent outer layer. Mind blowing! Three cup chicken was also delicious and it comes with broccoli which wasn't overcooked and still nice and crunchy. I was a big fan of the pork belly bowl as well but felt it was harder to share but think it would be a great solo dining/lunch option. They came around with complimentary strawberry smoothies as well!!! Super refreshing for summer :)

Does Taiwanese food right. Mama Lee run by a super sweet grandma. The flavors on point and she even brought out vegetables because we were eating too much meat. Haha exactly how my grandma would yell at me for not eating some fiber.

3.75, rounding up to 4. The front is decorated with lots of cute prints of Taiwanese food + scenes! You order and pay first in the front, then eat in the back. Service was a little slow, but there was only one person hustling back and forth between the kitchen and tables. Beef noodle soup (3/5): The overall flavor wasn't anything special. Broth was on the heavier side. I do like that they give plenty of veggies with it. Salt + pepper shrimp (4/5): Very simple flavor. I enjoyed that the legs were fried enough that you could eat them. However, it's on the saltier side so definitely need rice. Water cress veggies (4/5): They give LOTS of this. Definitely will last two meals across two people. Overall, I'd recommend this place if you want a simple, straightforward Taiwanese meal.

Can't go with a full 5 stars because it has been a little inconsistent, like there seem to be some changes to some dishes, and the menu doesn't have clear descriptions, so it can be hard to tell what you are going to get, but our last order was outstanding and I will try it again soon. We got the Lu Ru Fan, which I have now had 3 times, and this one was the best by far. There are a lot of components and some strong flavors, so it might be hard to get everything right and balanced; we'll see on future orders, but I'm going to get it all the time if it is as good as it was last night. Also, it was a lot of food for $13, and since it included rice, it was a complete meal. My wife and I love rice cakes with preserved or pickled vegetables and get that at a lot of places. This was our first try at Mama Lee, and they were about as good as I have ever had. Looking forward to ordering them again too. Also this was a good value compared to some of their other menu items...as some people have pointed out here, there are some expensive dishes, in particular, I don't understand why the vegetables cos as much as the meat dishes, which also have more components.

At a higher price point but very nice space and superb friendly service, @mamaleeofficialrestaurant in Williamsburg serves you home cooking style Taiwanese food! Still heavier and more oily than at home, but the way they were prepped reminds you of a home cooked meal and warms your heart!

was recommended mama lee by my roommate, she went back when they were doing a set menu. we walked in for lunch around 2 on a saturday and it was pretty busy, but we got a table in under 5 minutes? almost instant. the vibe is nice, everyone is really very welcoming, the lighting is bright without being fluorescent, and the decor and plants are very tasteful. there were definitely families there which is a good sign we ordered: 3 cup chicken (sam bei ji) marinated pork rice (lu rou fan) fried dumplings and an auntie gave us a free bowl of chicken bone the dumplings were really crispy and the filling was soooo good. we had 6 for like 12 or 13, which isn't bad for 6, especially outside of chinatown. i also really liked the 3 cup chicken, id never had it before but my taiwanese lunch compatriote said it was very good. however for both of us, the star of the show was definitely the lu rou fan it was probably the best lu rou fan i've had. the marinade was top notch. i think there could have been more rice, but the ratio of pickled vegetables to meat was perfect it was definitely one of their cheaper items so that makes sense why the portion was a little smaller though, but would definitely recommend trying! i think what boosted the experience for both of us was hearing about the backstory of the restaurant and the mission from our waiter, who i think maybe owns it. he told us that they aim to serve home cooked, but premium, taiwanese food and introduce america to premium asian cooking. he also let us know that they switched owners and such had to switch the menu and chefs back in september. i'm glad we got to try it after the switch definitely come through and support. it's great to see a taiwanese family owned business in south williamsburg; they're so passionate about what they do (and they do it well!!)

I really enjoyed my meal here. Really neat, beautiful decor. The service was incredible--we got the most delicious chicken soup on the house. We ordered fried dumplings, pork with rice cakes, and sweet and sour fish. All were excellent. Would highly recommend!

I wish I could give this establishment a higher rating, since I am always delighted to see a new Taiwanese restaurant open. But 3.5 feels fair. Given the small likelihood we would trek to Bayside to visit the original Mama Lee, we decided to dine at this new Williamsburg location, which had opened seven weeks prior. We ordered the sanbeiji (three cups chicken) and the zhajiangmian. The sanbeiji, a signature dish in Taiwanese cuisine, was amazing and the best I'd ever had. The meat was perfectly crispy on the outside, yet tender inside. The sauce was also unusually spot-on--perfectly sweet and savory, and not too oily. However, the zhajiangmian was probably the worst I'd ever had at a restaurant. The ground pork and noodles were shockingly bland, as if the chef had drunkenly forgotten to add some key ingredients to enhance the flavor. This was a huge disappointment. The food is somewhat expensive for practically a fast-casual restaurant. We ordered at the front, and food was served quickly. I did appreciate the well-lit, clean, and minimalist ambience, as well as the Taiwan-related posters on the wall. I also appreciated that there were three high chairs available, comfortably accommodating my two children. Service was friendly. I was dubious about dining at the restaurant so soon after it had opened; hopefully the cooking will be more consistent and the menu will expand to include other favorites at the Bayside Mama Lee location.

Pros: - Great location in Williamsburg next to Domino Park - Minimalist modern space with high ceilings - I love the Beef Noodle Soup (huge pieces of beef brisket), Three Cup Chicken, and Lu Rou Braised Pork Rice Cons: - The prices here are jaw-droppingly exorbitant ($28 for a single beef noodle soup! Gotta pay for that Williamsburg rent :( ) The saving grace is the attentive and sweet Mama Lee herself coming out and providing complimentary dishes during your meal.

I love their beef noodles so much, really flavorfull and has big chunks of beef. Mama Lee was so nice and gave us a free cucumber salad dish to go with our order because we ordered two meat dishes, she said the cucumber salad could be a refreshing add on for our experience. The rest of the staff was really nice too, I will definitely come back

We went to this Mama Lee's restaurant in Williamsburg, and I was surprised at the astronomical prices for dishes: $18 for Taiwanese sausage, $25 for Bok Choy, $25 for Tomato Egg, that's absolutely absurd! I ordered 3-cup chicken. I couldn't recognize it. Chicken was battered and stir fried. Authentic Taiwanese, the chicken is stewed or casserole, has recognizable spices and chestnuts. This was nothing resembling the dish. Lou Ron Fan, is another dish that I didn't recognize. The food is awful. It is unfortunate ... I am Taiwanese and I used to eat the food from Mama Lee's at the original Bayside Queens location. This is nothing like the original establishment. Avoid at all costs !!!

hands down the most homey meal you can find in NYC. from service to food to ambiance/vibes, you will feel like you're eating a homecooked meal upon returning home!! the food was DELICIOUS, well made, very generous portions, and Mama Lee herself walks around the restaurant and makes sure all her customers are taken care of. She came around and served us hot tea and free dishes!!! Such a sweet sweet human. Would come here just to see and support her!!! We got the beef noodles (AMAZINGGGG, noodle texture was perfect and soup was so well flavored), three cup chicken (fried chicken texture with sweet/savory sauce coating), shrimp egg (SO UMAMI it's crazy), shacha beef, sweet and sour soup...all delicious!! i recommend them all! you can't go wrong here. So unfortunate that they sold out of desserts for the day (we went on a sunday around 7pm) so come early!!! if you want the best homey meal while supporting the cutest Mama Lee and her local business, don't miss out on this place!!!!!

I have very mixed feelings writing this review. On one hand I'm delighted to have a Taiwanese restaurant within walking distance of me, close enough for take out. The flavor of all the braised items reminds me of the small roadside shops I would stop by when visiting my grandparents in Tainan many years ago. The tea egg - which brought back the aromas of the typical Taiwanese seven-eleven, where these are perpetually cooking - was well-seasoned with five spices and heavy on the anise. I was, however, a bit disappointed with the overall level of flavoring in the vegetarian bento box I ordered, which primarily features a large chunk of tofu in lieu of meat options. All the flavors are right and there, it's just as if they need to be dialed up from a 5 to a 10. Maybe this is just a product of them scaling up their operations for this new fast casual format in Williamsburg, and I will definitely keep trying this spot regardless!

I've been here a few times, and the food is always good. It leans a bit on the expensive side, but I imagine their rent is not cheap. Anyway, I went last weekend for a friend and we shared the fried dumplings, which I think are exceptionally good, and the rice cakes with pork and pickled veggies, which are also delicious. The women waiting our table (Mama Lee, perhaps?) was very sweet and attentive. Toward the end of our meal she brought us a big chicken soup on the house. I recognized it as a pretty traditional soup that my Taiwanese m.i.l. often makes. Everything at this restaurant is true home cooking.

The food here is amazing. Homestyle Taiwanese food. Cooked to perfection. The owner even gave my friend and I free chicken soup! I highly recommend this place in terms of the food and service. What could be improved though is the atmosphere. Other restaurants in this area have a more classy vibe, but this restaurant seems a little more sterile. The lights and decor looked more like a very brightly lit bubble tea shop, and there was no music. It was so quiet, we could hear other conversations from across the room. I would recommend this place to at least add some ambient music!

The amazing spot from Bayside just expanded to Brooklyn, bringing some much-needed Chinese food to the area. It's also the only place in the immediate vicinity to get some great Taiwanese food, including Mama Lee's famous Salt & Pepper Chicken and Pork Chops. Definitely get the Lu Rou Fan and the Beef Noodle Soup too, but there's so much more that I'll definitely be back for soon.

I was blown away by some of the dishes but was really disappointed with the Lu rou fan. Food: Cold sesame noodles - solid dish. Perfect to cool down during a hot day. The sesame sauce was rich in flavor. Lu rou fan - this was the biggest disappointment out of all the dishes. The Lu rou/ braised pork was near flavorless. It wasn't braised long enough and the meat used for it was too lean. This was the same problem the braised tofu and egg had as well. They were not braised long enough. Bok choy was too salty. Salt and pepper chicken - this one was okay. The chicken wasn't as crispy as other popcorn chickens I've had. It was also not seasoned enough. Eggplant - perfect balance of sweet and salty. The flavor was great. I really like the bean curd twists on the bottom of the dish as well. Bean curd and bamboo shoots - this was amazing. A little salty, but nothing rice couldn't solve. One of my favorite dishes here along with the eggplant. Service: Service was fast. No complaints here. Ambiance: Feels like the average new-Williamsburg restaurant. Everything's clean and well designed.

One of the better service experiences I've ever had. Hospitable and generous. Our son was treated so well

Food was amazing. Mama Lee is amazing. I wish this place was closer I would come all the time

This place is perfect for a fast(ish) meal. You order at the front, find a table, and wait for your food to come out. Overall the food was not bad. Probably a 6.5/10. I do like the setup of the place though. Inside is very clean and full of natural light. The service was was also really good!! Just be aware that if you order the bento box, it doesn't actually come out in a bento box lol. We all agreed the three cup chicken was the best because it was also hard to mix the sesame noodles and imo not much flavor. But the braised eggs were yummy!!

Just the most heartwarming experience ever.. really feels like you're being taken cared of by your mom in her kitchen. We ordered beef noodle soup, eggplant chicken dish, bamboo celery and shredded pork... it was so delicious and reminded me of home. Thank you!

Really cute place - stopped by here for lunch and was delighted by their pork bun. It's definitely the biggest one I've ever had and felt more like a full sized sandwich haha. It was super tasty and tender - not too fatty either. Will definitely be back to try everything else :)

I saw this restaurant in one of early runs. Bookmarked and pinned it. The design and decor are minimalist which I love! The owner, Mama Lee, greets, takes and serves most of the customers. Such a lovely woman! We were served a clear ( the clearest ) chicken soup, on the house. It was similar to a soup that I grew up having in the Philippines. The next dish we had was La Rou Fan. It was a bowl filled of yummy goodness ( sliced pork bits ) ! They even served extra plate of the veggies, no charge. The sweet and and sour fish and bamboo Chinese celery shredded pork was delish but not that special. Over all, this place is worth trying. Oh by the way, this is a Taiwanese place. Don't associate the name and mistake it for another Asian country

I was really excited about another Taiwanese spot in the area but unfortunately was a bit disappointed. Maybe we went on an off day? But I couldn't recommend anything except the bamboo shoots and the cucumber dishes. The fried pork chop, three cup chicken, and beef noodle soup were all very one-note and mostly just salty. I would've liked to have tasted less oiliness from the pork chop, more five spice flavor from the chicken, and bouncier vs. overcooked noodles in the beef soup. I did enjoy the fried scallions and chilies, but when we went there was also no hot sauce which would've elevated all of the dishes. The service and ambience were great! The space is very modern yet cozy, the perfect atmosphere for a late lunch.

The food is so delicious with flavoring. Great taiwanese food. Good customer service and the food is brought out in a good amount of time. The place is clean.

I tried numerous Taiwanese restaurants in the city and this one is by far the highest quality to price ratio. If you want authentic homey food in a clean, quiet, and calm ambiance this is the place to go. Their homemade chili oil goes well with everything. I love the chicken soup which I get every time I go, but also look forward to trying some of their rotating recipes. It's fast casual so you order and pay first before seating yourself on one of two floors.

Mama Lee's Taiwanese haven beckons with promises of familial warmth and tantalizing flavors. I kicked off my culinary adventure with the Shacha Beef, a symphony of tenderized beef and vibrant vegetables. At $25, it dances on the edge of overpriced, but in this culinary enclave, it's par for the course. The rice bowl, priced at a princely $3, raised an eyebrow until I met its companion--a perfectly cooked egg. Yet, what truly justifies the lofty prices is the accompanying hot soup, generously ladled and brimming with comfort. Mama Lee herself, an embodiment of hospitality, graced my table, evoking the feeling of a cherished dinner at grandma's house. Mama Lee's generosity flowed like her soup, offering refills without hesitation. When I requested a takeout container, she went above and beyond, filling it with an extra helping of soup. The Shacha Beef, though a tad overpriced, delivered a satisfying, home-cooked embrace. While my server's performance left me unimpressed--he seemed a bit absent--Mama Lee emerged as the star, turning a dining experience into a memorable family affair. In the grand tapestry of Williamsburg's culinary scene, Mama Lee's stands out not just for its flavors but for the genuine touch of a Taiwanese grandmother, making it a place worth revisiting.

I can't get enough of Mama Lee! The Salt and Pepper Chicken Bento Box is a flavor explosion! The chicken is perfectly seasoned and crispy, and it comes with a generous serving of rice and veggies. The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming. This is definitely my new go-to spot!

Walking into Mama Lee I wasn't 100% sure what to expect! My only exposure to Taiwanese food up until this point was in the form of Taiwanese popcorn chicken and boba tea cafes. When you first walk in, you're greeted by a fairly neutral, unassuming space. Walk up the stairs and everything opens up to reveal a beautiful minimalist open dining space that despite its minimalism felt homey and comfortable. Our server gave us a really rich overview of the history of Mama Lee (original location in Bayside Queens - there's a NYT article on it!) and the intention of mama's food (Mei Lee) to help showcase elevated Taiwanese food that still reminds you of the meals your Taiwanese family may have made back home. He was incredibly personable, entertaining, and informative. He was intentional with every table he spoke with and genuinely wanted everyone's feedback on their experience, what they could do better (if anything) and just, overall added to such an unforgettable experience. While I'm not Taiwanese, the taste of the food did indeed make me feel like I was back home, emphasized even further by the kindness, in a no nonsense sort of way, of Mama Lee herself. She provided extra food for me and my husband, making sure I was able to have nutritious additions for my growing baby :). It reminded me of when I go back home to visit my mom, who shows her love through her cooking - feeding me and my sisters, all the brother-in-laws, until we are on the floor laying down in a food coma. The seaweed soup Mama Lee brought us was reminiscent of a traditional Korean seaweed soup called miyeok guk (미역국) that many Koreans encourage pregnant women to eat during and after pregnancy due to its high nutritional content. I learned that Mama Lee actually grew up in Korea, so I could see where there may be influence there and that made me even more teary eyed (I don't even think I can blame pregnancy hormones on that). We tried a number of different items, including the pan fried dumplings, egg fried rice, chicken salad, seaweed soup, and eggplant chicken. You also are served hot tea on the house which was really refreshing on a chilly evening. It's really hard to choose favorites because everything was fantastic, but if I must, I'd say the eggplant chicken and seaweed soup were my favorites. The chicken salad was also realllyyy good and so light and refreshing. Eggplant chicken, despite the sauce on top, maintained the nice fry of the eggplant and chicken, never getting soggy. The sauce is slightly sweet and tangy, but not too sweet, which is my preference. The beef in the seaweed soup (which, may or may not be oxtail? The beef reminded me of an oxtail soup I love from Korea) fell off the bone and was so, so tender. I ate the soup like a maniac...it was gone almost immediately after hitting the table We asked to box just a small amount of the rice leftover (we ate everything else clean...) and Mama Lee added extra items to the to-go box with items to help aid a nutritious pregnancy. She even said if I'm not feeling well, to come back and she'll make a traditional chicken soup. Both my husband and I teared up - again!! You can tell that this is just who she is - I don't think she cares for the likes, exposure, etc. I feel like she just is to doing what many Asian parents do for their children. Show their love through food and selfless generosity, so that when you walk through her doors, for at least an hour or two, you're reminded of what home should feel like. I can't wait to go back. Sorry, Mama Lee, to create more work for you, but it was all too good to not come back and spread the word.

This is a fast casual restaurant! You go to the counter to order, and all the food is serve yourself. It feels like a litto piece of Taiwan, and is one of the best Asian restaurants you can find in Williamsburg! Some of my favorite + Braised eggs (3 for $6!) IMO is very reasonable. I love this. + Sauteed string beans with garlic sauce (delicious and its so good) + Three cup chicken: Delicious, and I love the broccoli in it + Sesame peanut noodles: It's so good. Loved it! (It's cold noodles) Highly recommend! Definitely worth a check out if you're looking for a quick but delicious meal in Williamsburg. Its on Grand street, right off of Domino Park. Stop by and then go for a walk along the water.

I don't usually write reviews but this spot is the bees knees. Food is incredible and the owner is the absolute sweetest. Feels like home away from home. Must check out!

Food was absolutely phenomenal!! The beef noodle soup made us all feel so warm on the inside! We also got the lo rau fan bento box and it had dumplings and side dishes. Great variety. Mama Lee would check us up on and made sure we had enough broth, noodles, and rice for our order. The restaurant has such a homey feel to it as well. Overall, an amazing experience.

Service was superb. The owner was very sweet and friendly. The restaurant had a homey feel as if I was visiting a friend's home, where the grandmother would be cooking and making sure we were well fed and satisfied. Mama lee gave us some tasty chicken soup on the house. The portions were large and delicious. We got the eggplant/ pork which was tasty and the shrimp fried rice was perfectly done.

Great food and kind staff. I came for lunch with friends and we got the tofu, salt and pepper chicken, and chicken eggplant bento boxes. They came out quickly, were well seasoned, and came with homemade chili crisp. We got the egg tart for dessert and it was the best egg tart I've ever had. It was warm, buttery, soft and had plenty of eggs. The owner was also so sweet. She has a second location and recently opened this one. If you're in Williamsburg, you can't go wrong coming here!