We have been coming here for a while now and I always have to remind myself to post a review and always forget...maybe intentionally so it can stay secret a bit longer, who am I kidding. They are already sooo packed as is... This is a very small shop. There are 5 tables. 4 chairs to a table. That's all. If you are a big group like me, I always call and let them know we are on the way to 1) gauge crowd level and 2) to give them a heads up so they can prep and arrange to move the tables to accommodate. Their menu fits on one 8.5x11 sheet of paper printed in black and white. No frills...and they serve water and tea in paper cups. There is usually a wait during dinner but if you drop in mid-day or off hours there is less of a crowd dining in though you should still expect a steady flow of customers calling in or ordering for pick up and take out. The food is served is authentic Taiwanese. Just like the name implies....mama Lee's cooking. Homemade and so very YUM! The popular dishes here are the lions head (giant fist sized meat balls), beef with chili peppers, and Taiwanese pork chops (lightly battered fried pork chops). Oh and the braised pork rice seems to be a hit too although I'm not a fan...I like chunks of meat not bits and pieces hidden in rice. The noodles are the typical beef broth but meat is juicy and fork tender...in this case chopstick tender?! Heh. Perfect blend of flavors. Every order comes with chicken soup and a choice of purple rice, whole grain rice or white rice. Staff here speak limited English and I have observed on many occasions that they may come across as rude when taking orders from non chinese speaking guests. This is a true example of cultural differences because the staff here really cannot properly express their suggestions or ideas in English so the words they choose sound sharp and direct. If you were to listen to them in Mandarin or Taiwanese they are most courteous, and considerate. It's such a shame, but worth mentioning. Please give them a pass on this...they really are nice people. They lean the tables with alcohol and sanitizers are readily available for your use at the table. Remember, it's very small. Clean but no fancy decor. Tip is already calculated in your total but sometimes when the service is so good (they come around refilling your tea frequently) and the food is so good (they offer more soup and more rice) I add another 20%. I want them to be around for a looooong time. (Although I hear from family there are plans to sell this business...not close but transfer ownership bc they want to retire). Oh, they accept credit cards here so that makes it a bit more convenient since who carries cash around these days...I know I carry minimal cash on me anyways. Locals come here, especially Taiwanese (you hear them speaking and it makes me feels like home) and it's an unspoken rule to be mindful. Eat and leave without lingering because a crowd forms. They can get very crowded and may ask you to wrap up if they see you are just chatting. Not rude just trying to regulate traffic flow of customers. I would come here more often if it wasn't such a production to accommodate my big family (they have to move tables around and add folding chairs, they do it with grace but I still feel bad about causing so much hassle). When it's just me and my husband....we come here for a quick and casual lunch. read more

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Many bistros and eateries have once occupied this space. Only to fall victim of serving dull and boring food. In moves Mama Lee's. My first gut reaction was "Oh. No! Not another dull restaurant!" Now would this new restaurant face a similar fate as those who came before? I'm happy to say the food here is actually pretty good once you know what you're ordering. There are no printed takeout menus for you to view, just one big menu posted on a makeshift easel. (Update 10/17/2013 - menus now printed on copy paper) We ordered the 3 cups chicken, Peking pork and double mushroom and vegetable sauté. It took awhile for the food to come out, but when it did, man was it really good and tasty! The owners are very nice and unpretentious. The seating is limited but most people were ordering to take out. There are no waiters or waitresses to serve you. I hope Mama Lee's is here to stay for awhile and I wish them all the success in the world. "GO MAMA LEE'S!" read more

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Loving Mama Lee and her homemade dishes! She answers to Mama Lee and she knows what we wanted even before we ask! The shenanigans and I were finally able to visit the infamous Mama Lee after a failed first attempt. A tiny little restaurant that only has four tables with four seats each. Her menu is has an extensive variety of dishes from appetizers to vegetables to meats to seafood. We ordered three dishes: Fried Salt and Pepper Flounder, Three Cup Chicken, and Stir-fry Water Spinach. All dishes are very delicious and homey. It reminds me of a warm, home cooked meal. Fried Salt and Pepper Flounder was light and crispy. I loved the salt, pepper, and spicy combination. Three Cup Chicken, it was just a tad too hard but the flavors were amazing and probably the best version of it that I ever had. Stir-fry Water Spinach, this is one of my favorite vegetables of all times so of course it is healthy and delicious. Nothing was greasy at all. Our meal came with choice of white or purple rice, minced pork with tofu, soup, and a side cold appetizer. Mama Lee was so attentive and pays special attention to all her visitors. She knew who in my party wanted white or purple rice even before we asked. I went with the big bowl of purple rice of course! Soup was light and healthy tasting, for it was loaded with vegetables, fried tofu, and chicken. Mama Lee sure knows how to make her place feel like home! I'll be back! read more

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Went there at 1:30 pm today and waited for 5 minutes before someone came out for the kitchen only told us that she couldn't serve any more. She told us to come back after 5!! How ridiculous??? There were two tables eating and just because we visited the first time and she rejected us??? She's very rude too. If she couldn't handle the business, she might as well close this place down and no one will miss it. Place is small and dirty anyway. Don't bother coming here. read more

I typically don't write reviews but I feel the need to write one for this establishment. The food is delicious, authentic, and reminded me of my time in Taiwan. The owner is super sweet and clearly loves what she does which makes the food and restaurant even more special. read more

I think I need to know the recipes on how to make these dishes ! My picky 3 year old son ate and tried all the dishes that we had ordered for take out. From the moment we picked up our food, Mama Lee was so kind and generous, the smell of the dishes instantly filled our car. We couldn't wait to get home to try them all! The portions were big and everything had so much flavor. The food felt very homey, the cabbage soup we had was filled with so much warmth. We can not wait to come back again soon to try more dishes ! read more

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I've been ordering lunch take out here, and each time I'm so excited. The food smells great and the taste is delicious!!! My favorite is the beef mushroom rice, which has a few diff types of mushrooms in it. The 3 cup chicken is made very well. There is more meat than bone, unlike some other places. The pork chop rice tastes a bit soft, prob bc it got steamed while the cover has closed read more

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I finally got to try Mama Lee last night after having bookmarked this restaurant for months! Upon entering the brightly lit restaurant, you will find it to be quite cozy in there. There are only four tables, each with about six chairs. Luckily for us, there was one table available so we snagged it with the quickness. I hear it is usually packed in here. Even as we were seated, there was a constant stream of people coming to eat in as well as people picking up their takeout. We ordered the braised pork, tofu, and egg over rice as well as the family value combo meal for $35 which comes with three dishes of your choice, soup of the day, and rice. For our three dishes, we picked: large pork meatball (lion's head), chicken with soy sauce and basil (three cup chicken), and the salt and pepper fried fish fillet. All to share amongst three people. And yes, it is too much food. Insane. I honestly did not care much for the braised pork, tofu, and egg over rice entree. The pork was ground pork versus pork belly, which I think would've added much more depth to it. Even the egg was kind of blah. I found that entree to be fairly bland overall and just unremarkable as a whole. It was not a hit for any of us at the table. The soup of the day was a pork and bitter melon soup. For those who are not fans of bitter melon, not to worry - the bitter melon was not overwhelming at all and honestly, I barely even noticed it. The soup was light and a just a great start for what is to come. The pork meatballs were awesome. I've never had lion's head before but it was definitely a great introduction. The dish came with two large meatballs served over a bed of napa cabbage. The minced pork meat just melts in your mouth. The three cup chicken is probably the most popular dish here and with good reason. The semi-sweet glaze was perfect and the flavors were aromatic and bold. The fish fillet was lightly fried and not greasy at all, not overly salty nor overly spicy... just flawless. I honestly cannot even say which dish I liked most. I thought they were all really great. I'm a fan of this place and I can totally see why it scores such high reviews on Yelp. All the foods really have a homemade feel to it, nothing overly salty nor oily. Everything seems very healthy. It almost seems weird calling it a restaurant because you really feel like you're eating in the kitchen of an aunt. The service here is impeccable as well; they treat you like you are part of the family. They will constantly refill your rice and soup (even when you don't ask) to make sure you don't go hungry. Just a warning though: My friend is a regular and had told me that Mama Lee closes at random hours sometimes so it may be wise to call ahead of time before heading over. CASH ONLY! read more

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Tony place 5 tables, 4 tops. Great home made food. Mama Lee hilarious... just her and husband no staff. Phone rings endlessly to go in to vm. No menu, what's written on the counter is the menu of the day. We got there at 5:30pm, she put up a sign "sold out" by 6pm. No more customers will be able to order. She tells you when you've presented enough food and tells you she's not making any more. Not very common practice for a business to usher people out...not in. But she's very nice to her customers. Portions are huge. Very authentic but you will be treated like her child. Go very early, soon as they open. Afterwork patrons...go elsewhere. You'll not have a chance to get in after 6pm or even get take out. I will be back...again and again! read more

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A quick update- The food is great but the service is not the friendliness compare to a regular restaurant. It is truly a mom & pop shop and they don't apply any restaurant management models..... There are only 4 sets of table for four and a crowd can build up very quickly. They may ask you to go take a walk around the block! If you go and come back, expect to wait at the end of the line again. Don't get too upset with them. If you are willing to wait, you will enjoy a very good meal. They do close at 3PM-5PM for a siesta. The food is still great. Tip: ask for the purple rice. CASH only. read more

I have heard many good things about this small restaurant right by Bell Boulevard. My friend generally raves about this place and is his first choice whenever we want to meet up. However, I had never been here until now and I don't know why I stayed away so long. This place definitely has some good home cooked food just as if you were in mama lee's very own kitchen. I did come on a weekend afternoon so there was a half hour wait as there are only 4 small tables in this place. When I was waiting there was a family of 7 people also eating here and they had to sit at 2 different tables in order to eat in. There was also some young korean people here who were also enjoying mama lee's food and chatting with her. When we finally got seated we ordered several dishes. My friend told me they have a family meal that comes with soup and rice but we did not see that on the menu anymore. However, we were not discouraged but we ordered the 3 cup chicken, beef with mushrooms and chicken with eggplant. Our order came with rice and some house soup. We got to choose white, brown or purple rice. Obviously I got the purple, which is pretty much a lovely lavender hued red bean rice, which was appealing to both my mouth and my eyes. The complimentary house soup was a hearty veggie laden affair with tons of root veggies and almost with a hint of chicken and fragrant ginseng but it could have been burdock root as well and felt very nourishing as I gulped it down. As for our entrees I was looking forward to the 3 cup basil chicken since I haven't had it in awhile but even though it had good flavor it was a little dry and the chicken was a little tough on the bone and hard for me to get the meat off. We also ordered the eggplant with chicken and this chicken was velvety soft and almost melted in my mouth and it was very good with the eggplant. The beef with mushrooms also did not disappoint. The beef sauce was really tasty and there were tons of large mushroom pieces in it and definitely something I would want to order again. Mama Lee definitely gave us a lot of hospitality and spent a lot of time chatting with us at our table and offering us more refills of soup and rice and tea which was nice as I really liked the soup and wanted more purple rice. Generally there is a tea dispenser by the counter for you to serve yourself if they have not tended to you yet as this place can get busy for takeout and eat in. The family style servings weren't very big though I think each dish serves two people comfortably with rice and soup so it is recommended to get more dishes to share. Don't expect to be blown away by decor or service though as this is just a humble mom and pop type restaurant with eccentric hours and service possibly due to the fact that mama lee sometimes takes a trip to visit her kid in college but definitely drop by for some good homecooked food when you can get her and you will be treated to a delightful meal. 4 1/2 stars overall read more

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The owner(Mama Lee) who runs this establishment is really unique and wonderful. I have not been to a restaurant in long time where I honestly feel that I am a valued customer. Every time I come here, she makes my wife & kids feel welcome and it is just a joy. I ask my kids where they want to eat and they always want to come here. Other reviews have mentioned how wonderful the food here and it is all true. I just wanted to leave a review to say this lady is a honest hardworking person who is just absolutely great. read more

As always just great food. Real home cooking but much tastier. They treat you with warmth, generosity and like a family member. Yummy!

If I could give this place more than 5 stars I would! I love Taiwanese food and this place definitely hits the spot. Make sure you call to see if they're open before coming. The customer service here is great. They are so friendly and I love seeing Mama Lee. My favorite item on their menu is the lion head meatball. It's huge and packed with so much flavor. I highly recommend this. I won't go into every dish (I've had just about everything on the menu), but some of the other dishes I usually order are the minced meat over rice (delicious), fried pork chop (they make it a tad sweeter and less breading here), and eggplant (so good). This is comfort food so if you are in the mood for something homey, definitely come here. Their eggs and purple rice also compliments the dishes really well so make sure you get those too! I wish we had something like this in Brooklyn. I will be back. Thank you Mama Lee for always making me feel at home when I eat your food. read more

Delicious food, I order a variety of items and all was good but my favorite were the pork chops.

Remind me of the food I had in Taiwan great place to order to take out give it a try and won't be disappointed

I can't possibly say enough wonderful words about Mama Lee! Each and every dish she makes is absolutely phenomenal, and that has not changed over the many years we have been enjoying dinners there. Her 3 cup chicken and Lionshead meatball are singularly superb. But the food only begins to describe the incredible experience of being welcomed into Mama Lee's world of homey comfort. The restaurant itself is simple, unpretentious, mostly takeout. She now has only two tables, down from four pre-Covid. Her smile is welcoming and infectious. Dine-in customers are greeted with a complimentary tureen of soup that she has been simmering all day. The soup is different each day but always delicious. Each and every one of her dishes is prepared individually and by her. The portions are generous, and the tastes are utterly scrumptious. We are not Taiwanese and not even Asian but every Asian patron says her food is akin to being back at home. We have gotten to know Mama Lee and have heard about her family and her dreams. It is an honor to have a chance to eat there and experience the warmth that surrounds everything she does. Pro tip: Call ahead before leaving your house to make sure she is open, because she is not open every day anymore. As a final note, my 104 year old mom feels the same way and is glad that she is still well enough to go out to eat at Mama Lee's! read more

Excellent food tastes like home-made. I had the best soup ever tasted and will surely get again. they also have the best meat balls - gigantic and lightly packed - not your usual meatballs. Too bad they are not consistently open for business - even for take-out only. But call before you plan to order. It's a small place that has maybe six tables. Always a line to eat inside - pre-pandemic. read more

Taiwanese comfort food at its best! This local's favorite hidden spot is not to be mistaken with the likes of any typical Chinese take-out shops or dine-in restaurants you might find in downtown Flushing. Nope, not this one! Mama Lee serves some of the most delicious home-style dishes known in town, such as Fried Pork Chop over Rice and Braised Pork, Tofu & Egg over Rice. Each bite is filled with flavors of comfort lingering in your mouth as it works its way and warms your heart and tummy. If you shall be so fortunate to have the pleasure of meeting sweet Mama Lee, you'll see that her love and joy of cooking simple and unpretentious food are appreciated by all her local patrons. Good food are often recognized and sought after no matter the location or appearance, and Mama Lee is a great example. read more

Mama Lee - Fried Pork Chop (Taiwanese Style) Over Rice - Chinese Near Me - Bayside, New York

3.5/5 I would give this place 4 stars, but I did not like the service. The food was nice, but my friends and I did not enjoy being rushed(not just when eating, but also when ordering). We did not even scan our menus for a minute when the waitress decided to ask if we were ready to order. At other restaurants, customers wait in line until other patrons were finished eating. I have never been rushed or "kicked" out of a restaurant because customers were starting to line up. What kind of hospitality is that? Also, this place doesn't have a bathroom. D: We ordered: Beef w/ sliced pepper- this dish was really good, better than all the other beef w/ sliced peppers I've ever tried. One of the best I've ever had actually! The beef is chewy and not tough. The slice peppers were a great complement to the beef. Comes with 2 portions of rice(your choice of white, brown or purple). Chicken roll- is the Taiwanese version of a chicken nugget. It is minced chicken with a crispy fried tofu outer and comes with ketchup. Beef noodle soup- was okay. Lots of noodles. Good portion of beef tho. Tl;dr: Food is flavorful, with a flair of home-style cooking and weird customer service. read more

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Love love love their Taiwanese pork chop with rice! I stumbled upon Mama Lee by chance (and when I say by chance I mean Yelp) a few years ago after watching a movie in Fresh Meadows with a friend and the then bf. We shared the three dish family combo, and chose the fried chicken, the jia jiang noodles, and three cup basil chicken dish. All were delicious. Their self-serve hot water station was a nice touch - they had one of those electric hot water machines that's a cornerstone of many Asian households. Last month, we were in the neighborhood again and decided to call in an order to go. Mama Lee told me her main chef was on vacation, so they had a limited menu, but luckily the dish I wanted (the Taiwanese pork chop with rice) was one of the few items. The hubby and I resisted digging in until we got home, and once we were home, we inhaleddd everything. It was a hearty portion and ridiculously delicious - it left us feeling warm and comforted with smiles on our faces, the way only a mother's cooking could... and also left us wishing we had ordered two. Wish it came with an egg like the one from Chinatown (which is a few dollars cheaper), but the Chinatown one is a tad too salty for my taste - Mama Lee's was perfect. We were also given a small carton of their house soup, which had hearty chunks of carrot, turnip, and pork (I think) - yummy, as well as a side of cucumbers in sesame oil and maybe sweet chili something? - wonderfully refreshing. Best comfort food. Just like mama makes. Will definitely try to stop by every time I'm in the neighborhood! read more

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I would rate Mama Lee four and a half stars. It's a simple restaurant. There are five tables and the restaurant can fit up to 20 people. The food is very reasonably priced and tip/service is included in the menu price. They start you off with a complimentary miso soup with root vegetable and carrots. Don't underestimate this complimentary soup. I could have filled up on it alone! For our main courses l, we shared beef noodle soup, salt and pepper fried chicken, and the chicken roll. My favorite was the salt and pepper chicken. It was juicy and well seasoned. All in all, the food was savory and filling. read more

I've been meaning to check out this place for quite some time now, and I finally got the chance to do so a few weekends ago when the bf and I wanted to pick up some food for dinner on our way back home from the area. We got in at around 4:30PM or so on a Sunday afternoon, and the place was pretty quiet. We both decided to order rice dishes: I got the pork with dried tofu and celery (though I was able to substitute the pork for mushrooms instead), and the bf got their Taiwanese style pork chop over rice. I'm assuming that the woman who took our order was Mama Lee, and she was very sweet. She also asked us if we wanted either white or purple rice, so I opted for their purple rice. After ordering, she told us to take a seat and to have some freshly brewed tea as we waited. We barely had to wait for our food to come out as our order was ready within 5 minutes of us having placed our order. Our dishes also came with soup, which we didn't know that it came with. Once we got home and actually got to sit down to eat, we were very pleased with our meal - everything tasted homemade and with love. Everything was seasoned enough and none of it felt very heavy, and overall, it filled us both up with a sense of comfort and hygge, if that makes any sense. I would love to come back here and actually dine in here one day soon. read more

Mama Lee really knows what she is doing. We (party of 3) came around 6: 30 PM on Sunday and luckily had a table (I think there is only 5 tables at the restaurant). We got the following: Bamboo with pork & tofu stir fry Three cup chicken Restaurant provided complimentary rice (white, brown or purple) and soup of the day (Shanghainese cabbage with carrots and chicken) and pickled/spicy vegetable. Family style, delicious food. We ate and then left soon after since we can see people waiting for a table. If you're wanting to come, eat and chitchat for hours afterwards, I won't recommend dinning in here. I've heard the chicken roll is great. I've also wanted to try their noodles. Only con: You'll have to try to find parking around the neighborhood. However, the bus does stop in front of the restaurant. read more

Mama Lee - Three Cup chicken, Shredded pork with bamboo shoots (complimentary chicken soup, white or purple rice and spicy cucumber) - Chinese Near Me - Bayside, New York

I was so looking forward to try the 3 cups chicken aka basil chicken here, I knew it's a small homey family restaurant, they close from 4-5pm, which I'm very supportive! We were there 10 mins before 5 and was greeted w house chicken soup w cabbage, I really appreciated the gesture, even though the soup is more diluted than I like it to be. And as far as the chicken, I think it's lacking the flavor and basils, I don't like the fact they fried the chicken, I'm not Taiwanese myself but from my previous experiences, it's usually stir fry or cooked/served in a clay pot, w tons of sesame oils and basil, we also have sauteed cellophane greens which is typical home cook veggies. The portions are decent given the price of each dish, we were also told service fee is included. Service is friendly and family friendly. read more

Mama Lee - Chinese Near Me - Bayside, New York

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Wish I lived closer to here so I can order weekly. Mama Lee is a special place. Not only can you taste all the love put into the cooking, you can feel it when you pick up the order and chat with her. Wish I could give her a hug. Our family was so happy with the food. The lions head, chicken with eggplant, and tomato with egg (wish they could add beef) hit the spot. The seasoning wasn't too salty and was not as oily as other take out places. She even asked me how many people were eating so could give me the proper amount of purple rice and chicken soup to go with the meal. What a sweetheart. read more

I like the food here coz it's very home made and made with love. The owner is very friendly and kind. She treats u like u r her kids. Awww But sometimes the food is a bit greasy, especially when u take them to go... but I love their food anyways :) read more

The great reviews are warranted, and what everyone is saying, is really true. The owner and primary cook, whether her name actually be Mrs.Lee or not, is actually truly an angel. She takes pride in her cooking, her store, her service and it really makes all the difference. A small business in the literal sense - the food will take longer than your average take-out chinese. She is cooking back there in her kitchen, real, homemade food, as if it were mom making you dinner. Her prices are very fair for the excellent quality and portions. Believe the good reviews - you won't regret it. Eggplant *** Sauteed Dried String Beans **** Taiwanese Pork Chops **** Braise Beef Noodle Soup *** Tea Eggs **** read more

Decided to visit Mama Lee today, to my surprize she was not behind the counter. Instead i saw 2 ladies taking orders and answering Phones. We ordered spicy fish, great dish because the fish is not fried. It had a spicy broth with red peppers and a slight hint of heat. Coyld have used some vegetales but instead it came with a side of purple rice. My wife order the salt and pepper fried pork chop, tender, thin and well seasoned over white rice. Both were good of course menu has changed slightly. I was here 9 months ago only because when i swing by on tuesday's sometimes they are closed. I hope to see mama lee soon so i can tell her that her food is always the best! read more

Mama Lee - Spicy fish with red pepper and a hint of heat, just good for a after taste. Delish - Chinese Near Me - Bayside, New York

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If I can give out a 6 star review just once in my lifetime, I would give it to Mama Lee - she is literally the unsung hero of traditional Taiwanese home cooking and even my own mother is jealous of how much I love this woman and her food. The lions head (i.e. Asian meatballs) is nothing like what you've ever had before and they are to die for!! (I think she mixes some silk tofu in there that's making them so tender and juicy, but she'll never reveal her secret!) Mama Lee always does a complimentary soup of the day with your meal, and portions are enough to get you full + take some home for snacking later because I guarantee you will not get enough of this stuff. She really prides herself on fresh ingredients to create dishes that are good for your body and soul, and it clearly shows based on how damn delicious her food always is! Please do your tastebuds a flavor and take the drive out here to try her food. Never disappoint!!!! read more

Mama Lee I love you! is the nice lady in the blue apron (love the blue apron) makes me feel like I am in Mama's kitchen its tiny but very nice and bright I had a big yummy bowl of steaming hot noodles,fish and veggies called fish chow mien delish really miso was served on the house I think?(can't fully read menu) brought to us with a smile this wasn't just any ol miso chock full of tiny mushrooms and tofu Mama Lee also has fresh smoothies ...yes truly fresh the fruits are sitting right there ready to be blended into your refreshing beverage prices make this even better. super friendly service but I believe cash only we sat and ate but saw a bunch of take out being taken out read more

Mama Lee - Oh my goodness is this fish chow mein good - Chinese Near Me - Bayside, New York

Food: good taste, but have better than this, some portion is small. Salt and Pepper Pork Chop and Taiwanese Pork Chop is same. Compliments: Soup and iced tea Atmosphere: Small, very casual, but clean Service: Very good and so friendly Tip: Try Chicken Roll and Lion Head read more

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The lions head meatball was nice. Great flavor perfectly cooked and great with rice. Thought it was pricey though $25 for 2 giant meatballs. The pork chop rice was alright. The lady was kind but super serve yourself kind of restaurant. read more

Excellent taiwanese food with a very homey feel. The restaurant is "mama-owned" and she runs it just like her home. She's super friendly and inviting, and treats you like a visiting guest within her home. I remember I had gone once with a friend and we ordered a ton of food and we couldn't finish it. She was so amused because she had told us beforehand that it would be too much. And when I asked for her to pack it up, she ended up throwing in more food into our box! An extra egg and some more rice/pork. Super nice woman! The food is excellent. I always get the minced pork over rice just because it's a staple and she makes it very well. The other stuff like the jajamyun is also awesome. The taste and atmosphere is second to none. Love this place. read more

Love this place. I went there for the first time and ordered salt and pepper chicken over rice, tofu with vegetable over rice, and beef tendon dish over rice. We stayed for the meal and they have complimentary pork soup and tea. It's a very nice soup and tea, this is not like other places, Mama Lee made these soup and tea with her heart (kindness). You know how other restarurant complimentary things taste kinda just bland and shitty sometimes, this is not at all! I felt like home eating all the meals. The rice came separately with another bowl even tho you ordered "______over rice" It is worth it. read more

Mama Lee - Menu as of September 2017 - Chinese Near Me - Bayside, New York

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This little Taiwanese joint really hits the spot when you're in the mood for a bowl of yummy Ru Rou Fang (minced meat over rice). Staff is friendly, portions are decent, menu is simple and sufficient. Pre Covid there are a few tables inside to sit down and eat but pretty full most of the time so it could be hard to find a table sometimes. Taking away one star only because of the prices that are on the higher side of what these dishes normally cost in other places. read more

What else can be said about Mama Lee that hasn't been said already? Great food. Even better service.

This review is for take out. Don't come here if you're looking for Panda Express or No1 Great Wall Chinese and want your food out in 5 min, with a side of fries. Not that kind of place. This is really good tasting and good quality Taiwanese food, that you can take away or eat in. Food is cooked fresh so it will take 15-20 min to make. Take a walk, drink some of the tea, or chat w Mama Lee. Everything we ordered was delicious. From the spicy fish to the pork with bean curd.. and the veggies and the purple rice! Every meal also comes with soup - when we were there, it was a clear broth with meat and tasted as nourishing as my grandmother's version... down to the bitter melon. Mama Lee is also the sweetest woman. I was so excited about everything, she threw in an extra app Bc she wanted me to try it. read more

Mama Lee - Chinese Near Me - Bayside, New York

I visited Mama Lee four years ago when I lived in Flushing, and I remembered it being an incredible mom-and-pop restaurant. After working in Seattle and moving back to New York City, I spent a while trying to find this restaurant again. It's just as good as I remembered! The food is amazing, and very reasonably priced. Mama Lee is in there, actively involved with the customers and ensuring people are satisfied with their meal. While we were waiting, Papa Lee brought out hot tea for us, and during our meal, Mama Lee additionally brought out a delicious cooler of iced tea, for free. We ordered salt and pepper fried chicken over rice ($10.50), and a Jia Jang Noodle with pork and tofu ($8.50). The portions were big - for $19, two people were fully fed, and we took some of the Jia Jang Noodle back home. Mama Lee told us all charges (including tax) were already incorporate with the menu price, but I insisted she keep the change. I encourage others to do the same - Mama and Papa Lee work incredibly hard to make sure their customers are fed and happy. read more

I wouldn't give this restaurant rave reviews like most of the ones listed here but I do think it's a decent choice for home cooked comfort food. (My mom, who has much higher standards for Chinese food than I do, said the food here was "passable" and would give it 3 stars). Lions Head Meatball (狮子头) (3/5) - this is an unpopular opinion but I don't think the meatballs here are that great. Though they are tender, they are a bit too bland for me. I still think Joe's Shanghai is the gold standard when it comes to Lion's Head. Braised Pork over Rice (卤肉饭) (5/5) - I really enjoyed the rich flavors of this dish. I had it after a long day of working on my feet and it was the perfect comfort food. Salt and pepper chicken (盐酥鸡) (3/5) - the batter is very sweet - when I was reheating it on the stove it made the entire kitchen smell like funnel cakes! I'm ok with the sweetness but I wish the salt and pepper taste was more pronounced. Sliced beef with green chili (4.5/5) - not sure if this is on the menu or if she just made it because I requested it but I really liked this dish! The chili and onions were especially flavorful, though the beef was sliced a bit thick. Moderately spicy. All orders I've gotten came with rice and vegetable soup. Sometimes she discontinues things on the menu so I recommend calling ahead to order. I don't agree with reviewers who say that the food here is "not too oily" or "clean" - I think it's on par with many other Chinese restaurants, or, in other words, pretty darn oily. What really sets this place apart is Mama Lee's friendliness - she seems to genuinely want to meet all her customers and each time I visit she throws in something small for free like an extra serving of rice or a couple tea eggs. read more