One of the best boat noodles ever. I've had a ton of delicious boat noodles in Thailand and in my homebase in LA (shoutout to Pa Ord) but Fat Mao's boat noodles will have a place in my top 3 at the very least. My partner got braised duck noodles and it was sweet. We also got century old egg and tofu as an app, which was a chilled sweet delight. Gosh, it was so tasty. Interior decor has cool anime artwork plastered throughout. Very homey vibes. Friendly service. read more

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This restaurant is pretty small but it seemed pretty busy and had a bit of a wait. I heard a lot about this spot online prior to going but I thought it was just alright. Service was great though and I would def be interested in coming back to try the khao soi Roti w/ curry: 4/5 I liked this but prefer a thicker curry. The roti was pretty good though Braised duck noodle: 3/5 this is one of their most popular dishes and was recommended to us by the waiter. I liked the noodles and the flavor of the broth, but it came out kind of room temperature and the duck was a little more dry than I expected Note: they close for lunch so double check hours before you go read more

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Little hole in wall place is so delicious. The mapo tofu is flavorful and the roti is amazing. read more

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I came here because the other restaurant on the same street had too long of a line. And I regretted coming here. I honestly don't get the hype and why people say the food is good, it is not. I do like the deco, since I'm a cat person. But food wise I won't come back. read more

Fat Mao - Asian Fusion Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Actually really good! We were originally skeptical and debated whether to go to the ramen place next door but decided to give Fat Mao a try instead. The wait was fairly long (maybe 30 mins?) for a table for 4 but the servers were friendly and nice. We ordered 3 noodles: tom yum kung with glass noodles, kao soi with egg noodles, and duck noodles with flour noodles. Our favourite was the tom yum kung which was sooo flavourful and hearty! The duck noodles were good too but we found the soup base a little sweet for our liking. The kao soi was very tasty but we didn't love the noodles as much. The place itself was small and cozy. read more

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They only have one vegetarian entree, the cauliflower and tofu khao soi, but it's GOOD. The khao soi curry broth was very flavourful and rich. Perfect balance of spicy, sweet, and tart. They prepared the tofu in a way that made it spongy and absorbent of the broth. Huge portion. I came close, but couldn't quite finish my bowl, as much as I would have liked to. Good Thai iced tea too! The service was good; the staff were polite and the food came out in a timely manner. They weren't busy when we showed up around 5:30, but by the time we left it was full since it's not a big place. read more

Fat Mao - Vegetarian cauliflower and tofu khao soi curry - Asian Fusion Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

02.09.26 @11:33am Walk in for a table of 2. We actually the first customer of the day. Friendly service. Not sure the hype recommendation for here. The curry is not the taste of the curry i was hoping for and the braised duck noodle is a-bit on the sweet side. Guess is just not my cup of tea. read more

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Small Thai noodle shop in Chinatown with limited seating. We waited about 10 minutes on a Friday afternoon. Service was just okay. When we came back after stepping away, there was no line and only my name left on the waitlist, but the new host questioned it and had to confirm before seating us. Felt unnecessary given there was no wait. 2.5/5 for ambiance and service given it was expected. We got the Tom Yum Goong noodle soup, which was a bit salty, but otherwise a good bowl of noodle soup, nothing special I would go out of the way for. Same with Hot & Sour Pork noodle soup. They were presented nicely, but for noodle soups that were $20+, the value wasn't there. A bit pricey given the ambiance and location. 3.5/5 for taste and value. read more

Fat Mao - Tom yum gong noodle soup with Shanghai noodles - Asian Fusion Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

This is probably one of the most random places to have the best noodle soup in your life! I had their hot & sour pork noodles & it was delicious. I came with a friend who loves this place and got what he ordered. It did not disappoint! Owners/servers were so nice. Great service, delicious food read more

Fat Mao - Roti with Curry - Asian Fusion Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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What a fantastic lunch at Fat Mao Noodles in Chinatown today! The place was absolutely bustling, but it was so worth the wait. It was my first time trying it out, though my husband had been raving about it, declaring it the "best soup noodles ever!" (I, of course, had to tease him about who he went with if it was my first time! ) Stepping through the narrow door, the restaurant might be small, but it immediately felt like being welcomed into a friend's home. We kicked things off with their delicious roti and curry--definitely a must-share starter. Then, we dove into the main event: the most incredible, fall-off-the-bone Braised Duck Noodles (duck leg in aromatic soy broth) and a rich, Spicy Boat Noodle soup (rich beef & pork broth with sliced shin & meatballs). A huge bonus? You can customize your noodle type! I did change the noodles from Shanghai wide noodles to glass vermicelli noodles for my dietary needs. Every dish was simply so good, especially the broth, which was incredibly rich and flavourful. The staff were really nice, checking in on us after our food arrived to make sure everything was perfect. We'll definitely be back for more. read more

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The soup as super tasty and comforting! I appreciate our server being very honest on which noodles would pair well with specific broths. I tried to order my tom yum goong originally with pho noodles and she said no, you choose between these noodle options - I always appreciate positive intervention. No one wants their experience ruined :) the location is small and quaint but still lots of seating. Not overly crowded either! The only downside was walking through Chinatown to get there - not their fault at all, just something to be aware of. read more

Fat Mao - Tom yum goong and Khai soi curry - Asian Fusion Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Food: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Ambiance: 5/5 Honestly, it was the best restaurant I had in Vancouver. I went three times during my trip. It was SOOO GUDD. It became a routine to stop by Fat Mao's for a light snack since it was literally downstairs from my Airbnb. Platha & Dip: 5/5 - So good that I ordered it every time I went. Thai Boat Noodles: 5/5 - Never had Thai boat noodles in my life, but I think I found my favorite Thai dish! Creamy Tom Yum Noodle: 4.5/5 - It's good, but the Thai boat noodles are the best. read more

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I remember going to Fat Mao a long time ago when it first opened. I remember trying their braised duck noodle, and was honestly unimpressed, so I never went back. What made me decide to return? I discovered boat noodles recently, and very few places in Vancouver serve it. I noticed Fat Mao had it so I decided to give it a try I visited during the weekend. It was busy so I had to wait about 20 min for a table to open up. They were pretty accurate with the wait time and were seated 20 min later. We already knew what we wanted so we ordered immediately. - Spicy Boat Noodle: Not bad. It's decent, but not nearly as good as other places I've tried. The soup is a bit flat and lacks depth. - Khao Soi: Good. I haven't had a lot of Khao Soi, but it was good as I've had elsewhere. Braised Chicken was tender and easy to eat. Service was quick and friendly enough. Overall, I thought it was acceptable. Khaoi Soi was good, but Boat Noodle was so-so. It's a small space, so not a lot of seating. I would consider going back if in the neighbourhood and not busy, but didn't feel it was worth a 20 min wait. read more

Fat Mao - Khao Soi - Asian Fusion Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Rich, deep, flavourful broths. If you're looking to get a noodle soup fix other than pho, then this is the spot! I've been here twice, first time I had their special (forgot what it was) and second time I ordered the khao soi. I've been to Chiang Mai and had many bowls of khao soi and this place is nearly there with the flavours. The price per bowl is a little steep (mid $20s) but the uniqueness of their offerings and the flavour punch is worth every penny. Must try! read more

Fat Mao - Khao soi - Asian Fusion Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Ordered braised duck noodles, chili green beans, Thai iced tea and lychee lemonade. All delicious except green beans weren't what I was expecting - they were kind of like ... julienned stalks of gai lan. Good crispy flavour though with crispy bits of garlic. We shared all except our drinks. I loved my lychee lemonade! I could get that again on a hot day. Broth for soup was good. I forgot to ask for no cilantro but I just discovered my friend doesn't like it either. I could see that portion of braised duck noodles being very filling for one person. Better to share and try other things! We were able to split the bill evenly between us which was great. read more

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Yummy yummy ! Went here with a friend after a workout class , and was looking for protein options nearby. And boy did this satisfy what we were looking for. We got the braised duck noodles, and omg we got an entire duck leg , surely met our protein goals for that meal. They also let us pair the protein with any kind of noodle that you want! Both the wide noodles and clear noodle options were great. Would definitely come back next time ! The staff was so kind too in explaining the different types of noodle options read more

Small little spot. I had to visit since I was in the area and my brother in law raves about this place. I got seated right since I was a table of one. I got a bar seat by the window which I was happy about since I love people watching (no, not a creeper but who doesn't love to people watch lol). I got their spicy boat noodle with wide noodles against their recommended noodle (they recommend thin rice noodle) but I love the chewiness of flour noodles so I decided to be the rebel. I am not sure if it was the noodle or the soup itself but I didn't love it. I liked it and it was good but it wasn't a flavour that knocked the socks off my feet. I am willing to give it another go but I might try their Khai Soi Chicken curry soup next time since that is the one my brother in law absolutely raves about. The restaurant is quite small. It can accommodate a big group but you probably will have to wait since there is a limited space. If you are in the area and looking for a unique noodle spot, I would definite recommend this place. Maybe try the Khai Soi chicken or maybe not. You do you!!! read more

Fat Mao - Spicy boar noodle - Asian Fusion Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

This is actually Thai noodle style in Chinatown. So the menu is completely different from the other Fat Mao Noodle which is Chinese noodle soup. The menu is very limited. So if you don't like Thai noodle soup then this place is not for you. It's definitely not bang for your buck. Overall, the noodle soup flavor is good. It's a very small place. So there may be a wait for seating. read more

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Enjoyable noodle soup. Had the hot and sour pork noodle. It had the right mix of sweet, sour and spicy flavors. The casual atmosphere makes it a great spot for a quick and satisfying meal. read more

Fat Mao - Menu - Asian Fusion Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Came here for a co-workers birthday and it did not disappoint! The highlight for us was the century egg salad! We both loved it and I think it's my favorite dish. We also got some beans to share and I got boat noodles. Very satisfying and service was prompt. Can't wait to go back for century egg again! read more

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WOW! If I had to describe this place in one word, that would be it. My boyfriend and I visited Vancouver for the first time, and this spot was on our must-try list and it did not disappoint! We ordered the braised duck noodles (one with Shanghai and one with wonton noodles) and the soup was so comforting and flavorful, just like something my mom would make. The service was quick, although the wait for a table was a bit longer since the restaurant is on the smaller side. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area and craving a cozy meal! read more

Fat Mao - Braised Duck Noodles - Asian Fusion Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

While in Vancouver for a weekend, we came to Fat Mao upon the recommendation of our server at another dining establishment. He highly, highly recommended we come check the spot out and I am so glad that we did. We came for lunch on a Friday afternoon and were seated right away. I opted for the Khao Soi while my husband ordered the braised duck noodles. He opted for a beer while I wanted to try their Thai iced tea. The service was extremely fast and friendly. Both of our soups came out piping hot and delicious. The noodles were so fresh and had the perfect amount of chew. And the bite I took of my husband's braised duck fell off the bone and was phenomenal. Both soups had the perfect level of spice and were robust in flavor. I would definitely come back here again if I find myself in Vancouver. read more

Delicious noodle bowls! We got the following: Khao Soi Chicken Curry Noodles $22 Braised chicken leg in a creamy northern Thai curry. Pickled mustard greens. Served with flat egg noodles and crispy noodles. - the broth for this was sooooo good. -This was my favorite broth of the two. Very Thai curry/creamy. Hot and Sour Pork Noodles $22 Hot and sour pork soup with BBQ pork, minced pork, and Vietnamese ham. Asian celery, peanuts, and crispy shallots. - spicy broth - I got the wide noodles and they were delicious Came on a Saturday night around 630 and there was a 15 minute wait for two. The restaurant is pretty small, so I would expect to wait during peak hours. You put your name down and they call when ready. Staff was very friendly and attentive. read more

Fat Mao - Asian Fusion Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

SO GOOD!! We came in on a Wednesday morning and had no trouble finding a table. The decorations of the place are pretty cute, a little on the smaller side so maybe groups of around 4 would be comfortable. More than that though and it'd be crowded. We got the khao soi chicken with the roti and curry for an appetizer. The curry looks like a small amount, but it was perfect. For $7 it's a great appetizer. The curry tastes just like the ones my mom makes, it's a thinner curry and so full of flavor. I love that it isn't spicy, but has a nice complex flavor. The khao soi is great, the chicken was also verrry tender. I was dividing it into two bowls and the chicken fell apart very nicely. For two people the app and the khao soi was a good amount and we were full from it. Highly recommend coming in if you're in the area! read more

Fat Mao - Roti and curry - Asian Fusion Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Came to experience after the hype settled down a bit. Small little restaurant and almost impossible parking. Better to come by transit. The prices of the noodles soups are quite high. $22 for a bowl of noodles. I got the hot and sour soup with the cellophane noodles. It had 4 pieces of bbq pork, many quarter slices of vietnamese ham, and lots of minced pork. The cellophane noodles were awesome and I am not sure where else you can eat these types of noodles. The flavor of the broth was so intense that I plateaued in the middle of eating and couldn't drink anymore. It would be a very good idea to bring a container and pack that soup home and dilute it a bit. Everything was super tasty. I only subtracted 1 star because the owner says in one of the google review replies that they pay a living wage to the employees to justify for the high menu price but at the same time they ask for tip. I feel like you cannot double dip like that. If you inflate the prices to pay your employees well (which all restaurants should do), then tips should be abolished which is how places like cowdog coffee shop operates. read more

Fat Mao - Boat noodle and hot and sour soup noodles - Asian Fusion Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Super authentic Thai flavor. There's nowhere you will have this authentic Thai flavor - especially not if you are coming from the states. The roti and curry was very delicious. The place is rather small and nothing like one of those upscale settings. But what it missed on presentation, it makes up for it with its flavors. read more

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Love that you get to choose which type of noodles to go with your noodles soup! My fav out of all the ones we tried was their pork noodle soup which was their special for rhe month of June! The broth was reminiscence of pho and was very light! read more

We were in Chinatown and needed a place for lunch so we went to Fat Mao which serves up hearty bowls of Thai style noodle soups. Featured here: Roti with Curry Vegetarian Khao Soi Spicy Boat Noodles The Spicy Boat Noodles were spicy as their name indicates. It had a flavorful broth and the meat was very tender. Vegetarian Khao Soi was spicy as well. I enjoyed the cauliflower and tofu puffs in my bowl. Our daughter loved the Roti with Curry so much that we ordered a second round of it. It seems to be a popular place so unless you're there early, be prepared to wait a bit for a table. Service: Good Parking: Paid parking on the street Location: 217 E. Georgia St., Vancouver, BC read more

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Came on a Thursday evening, had about a 20min wait. Great service! I got the Tom Yum Goong with the chewy flat noodles. The soup was super flavorful but I would've liked it a little more spicy. Loaded with mushrooms and shrimp! My husband got the spicy boat noodles, with the recommended noodles. Noodles were just okay, soup was good, loads of meat, but again could've been spicier. Would go again for a quick and filing meal! read more

Fat Mao - Spicy boat noodles - Asian Fusion Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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SO GOOD! This reminded me how much I miss Thai food and that I should get it more often. The restaurant is kind of hipster and has very nice decor. I've been here before for Thai tea which was delicious and not too sweet. Came in this time with a friend at around 1pm and there was a short queue but got seated fairly quickly. Staff was attentive and very nice. The food came out so quickly. I was very pleased with what I ordered because it was delicious and flavourful. Even though my noodles was rated 2 medium on spice level, I didn't find it too spicy. I was able to eat the whole thing because it's fairly light. I got the Shanghai noodles with it which were perfectly chewy. I got a taste of my friend's dish and it was good too but a little heavier than mine. I would totally come back and get this again or to try something else! read more

Fat Mao - hot and sour pork noodles (bottom) and khao soi chicken curry noodles (top) - Asian Fusion Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Finally got to try Fat Mao after meaning to for so long! Came here on a Sunday around 12:45 and there was a 15min wait. However, queue system was efficient and got seated when expected. I ordered the Khao Soi Chicken Curry and it was beautifully presented. The chicken was extremely tender and fell right off the bone. The spice level was mild but still added to the flavor. The portion was very generous, to the point where I still had a bit of broth leftover when I was finished. Service was fast and kind! Would definitely return to try another dish. read more

Fat Mao - Asian Fusion Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Small Asian noodle shop in Vancouver Chinatown. They also have a location in downtown. Was there when they opened for dinner on a weekend, and the place filled up pretty quickly. They have an open kitchen setup so you can see them preparing your bowls of noodles. The menu has various noodles from different Asian cuisines. I got the braised duck with the wide noodles. The noodles are the hand cut northern Chinese noodles that have some thickness and bounce to the bite. The soup is soy sauce based, and it tasted okay. The duck leg is soft, but again has the soy sauce soup taste which was not bad nor great. My friend got the khao soi which was the shop's best seller. The presentation was nice. I tried the soup and it was more runny than the other khao soi I've tried, but not sure which way is more authentic. read more

Fat Mao - khao soi and braise duck noodles - Asian Fusion Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Fat Mao has two locations in the city. This is for their Chinatown location. It was busy when I visited and luckily had a short wait before being seated. Service was outstanding from start to finish. Recommendations were made along with check ins and water refills. I tried both the braised duck and spicy boat noodles. Both were good, but I preferred the braised duck noodles in a soy broth. The duck was served with your choice of noodles. I got the wide noodles. Overall a great experience leaving me feeling phat. read more

Fat Mao - spicy boat noodles - Asian Fusion Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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The food is alright. Just needs more soup with their noodles. I'll recommend but prefer going to a pho restaurant read more

Fat Mao - Asian Fusion Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Hello Fat Mao! A very small simple environment that offers up some of the most authentic flavors of Southeast Asia. I've ever come into here in Vancouver. We had some roti Chennai and they were off the charts amazing. I had a Tom yam soup that if I closed my eyes, I could hear the bustle of street in Bangkok. Service was excellent attentive, polite, and full of great energy. I highly recommend anybody who's looking for a real authentic Asian flavor that isn't in a big stuffy restaurant. This is your spot. I look forward to coming back. read more

Located in Vancouver's Chinatown, this small "hole in the wall" restaurant has friendly and attentive service! The restaurant is small with limited seating, so definitely come early! It's a semi-open kitchen where you get to see all the action taking place. They open during morning and lunch hours and closed between 4-5 pm in preparation for the dinner rush. We went right at 5 pm and it wasn't too busy yet, but then once we sat down, the influx of customers started. Their menu was quite simple- choose the soup base, and the noodle type if you didn't like what the soup originally comes with. I really liked this option where you get to pick and choose the noodle you personally think would go well with the soup. We picked their Spicy Boat Noodles with clear rice sheets noodles, rather than the thin rice vermicelli that it originally paired with. The spicy boat was a beef and pork mixed broth, with sliced beef shin, meatballs, pork rind, and Thai basil for garnishment. The soup was SPICY! The heat and kick came right after you slurp in those delicious rice noodles. Very aromatic and filled with spices in that silky broth. The soup has a hint of sourness from the vinegar they use, but it definitely smooths out the spice to make it easier to eat. read more

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This noodle soup restaurant reminds me of Chinatown joints where the steaming pots of soup typically fogs up the windows. This location is quite small with most tables good for 4 pax. But wait is not long. Menu is very simple with mostly noodle soup and a choice of noodles. We ordered the Roti with Curry for appetizer, Braised Duck Noodles with pho noodles and Tom Yum Goong with the same noodles. Beautiful and a good blend of flavours. Highly recommend this place if your looking for Asian noodle soup. read more

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Located in Chinatown. Life lesson, never look a sketchy person in the eye of you've never been to Chinatown. Small place with limited seating plus 3 counter top stool seating. Open air semi-kitchen if you like to watch the food preparation. All staff spoke Thai which contributes to their food authenticity Spicy boat soup noodles. Beef brisket noodle soup, chicken Khao soi curry noodles. Each with their own unique flavor profile. Can choose noodle type for each dish. I preferred the large flat noodle option which was firm and chewy. You can adjust the spiciness of the boat noodles from hot to medium. Chicken Khao soi came with a whole large chicken leg. Topped it all off with authentic Thai ice milk tea read more

Fat Mao - Counter seating - Asian Fusion Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Wow, this small little gem is to die for. Their boat noodle was so flavorful and the beef inside was so tender. Don't let the small bowl fool you for the size, it is quite packed. I love how you can customize your own noodles here and the staff is also happy to give you recommendations. The decor inside is very pretty and doesn't get too loud. Price is average, medium high for a bowl of noodles. Would definitely be coming back from Seattle to try more stuff from their menu read more

Fat Mao - Boat noodle - Asian Fusion Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Although Fat Mao in downtown is closer to our hotel, we headed to Fat Mao in Chinatown first. I didn't realize until I saw their decor ... Mao is cat in Thai = Fat Cat! The restaurant is cute and easy to find. +1 Great food. We ordered the Boat noodles and the Khao Soi. Both were flavorful with mild-medium spice levels. +1 Portion size and value seems fair. +1 Customer service was fast and super friendly. +2 We learned that the menus at their 2 Fat Mao locations are slightly different. Boat noodles is offered only at this location. We also learned about how the founders met (and married) and the family of restaurants that evolved from their union : Maenam, Sen Pad Thai, Longtail, Freebird, and Popina. Great beginnings for love and food. We had a positive experience and look forward to trying out their other Thai restaurants. read more

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