Lentina V.
Yelp
I've patronized Mama Woo's once several years ago, maybe not long after they began operating. Wasn't impressed overall, particularly with the (presumably) proprietor's curt attitude (as though I owed her money) and rather stingy banchan portions (as compared to Yummy's). Yesterday I was out of options for a quick low-carb-ish lunch and decided to give it another go.
Got there at approx. 11:00am, there was a customer sitting inside. Sounds like a regular by the conversation going on. I had peeked at Yelp menu photos before I got there so I was sort of prepared and decided on a combo plate, which was very reasonably priced at $14.95 (compared to Red Pepper in Mānoa Marketplace). I picked the Bulgogi and Fish jun combo with no rice, which gave me another choice of banchan, so I ended up with japchae/long rice, broccoli, potato salad, kimchi, and fried eggplant. On a whim I decided to get an extra side from the mini fridge (dried daikon kimchi, $6) but didn't have enough cash so I got a side order of tteokbokki ($6 for an ice-cream-pint-sized tub) and a Arizona green tea ($2). Didn't hit the minimum to use my debit card but the owner graciously allowed (with a curt nod of her head when the cashier asked her).
Food didn't take long to prepare. The banchan portions still seem a little stingy, but honestly it is good portion control for one person! The banchans were tasty except for the cabbage kimchi. I'd skip that, but interestingly, the dried daikon kimchi was delicious. I'd also skip the eggplant, it was heavily battered and dry, and like it's a few days old that I couldn't recognize that it was eggplant. The tteokbokki was yummy! It was chewy and the sauce was the right balance of sweet and spicy (not diluted or runny) and had bits of beef and onion. Heated up well in the microwave as well. The entrees were also good-- the bulgogi was a tad salty tho, which probably would go well with rice, and the fish jun was lightly battered and tasted fresh. Good portions for one person (1.5 meals from the plate alone; 2 with the additional sides).
I would like to try the other menu items, particularly the ones on the chalkboard! They look intriguing. Apparently they come with sides too.
Parking can be tight. Best for an early lunch grab-and-go.
Solid 4 stars.