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    Mama's Taste

    4.4 (177 reviews)
    ModerateChinese
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    Sesame chicken
    Jessica D.

    So delicious!! I think we may have found our new go-to Chinese takeout spot. It can be really difficult to find a good solid place, so it's taken a while. Decided to give mamas taste a try and no regrets!! Everything was fresh and hot. The pan fried pork dumplings (which I didn't get a pic of) were amazing. We got way too much food for two people but we wanted to try a lot of different options, now we will just have leftovers for a couple days :) their portions were also generous and packed to the brim. The sweet and sour chicken were perfect and the lo mein had a great flavor - not bland at all. The sesame chicken was also good. Can't wait to try more menu options next time.

    Hot and sour soup
    Hina M.

    New year, light dinner and my new go-to soup spot for 2026! I called in an order for the Pick 2 hot and sour soups along with steamed chicken dumplings, and everything exceeded my expectations. The restaurant is located in a strip plaza alongside other mom-and-pop shops at Courthouse Plaza Center, with plenty of convenient parking available. The service was excellent. When I called to place my order, the person at the front desk listened attentively, clearly explained the menu options, and let me know they were busy and would need a bit of extra time, which I truly appreciated. And the food? Incredible. The hot and sour soup was even better than my previous favorite spot perfectly balanced seasoning, fresh vegetables, and rich flavor. The steamed chicken dumplings were delicious and tasted freshly made. I really appreciated the polite service and the fresh, well-seasoned food. I'll definitely be back for more! Please continue treating your customers with kindness, it truly makes a difference.

    Biang biang noodles with beef (spicy)
    Julie H.

    The best fast food Chinese restaurant and my go to spot for orange flavored beef. Deep fried and sauced to perfection! It's best eaten fresh as soon as it comes out, but it is super hot so gotta be very careful biting into it!! All of their dishes we have tried have been really good and consistently good! And of course since we love spicy food, most of our dishes we get from Mama's taste are spicy dishes. A few that we always get are spicy mapo tofu, eggplant in hot garlic sauce, spicy oil noodles and combination chowfun noodle dish. Amongst other dishes we have tried, those are our favorite. Friendly customer service, food comes out fairly quickly (you do wait if you go at their busy hours), and orange flavored beef does take a little more time to come out. Restaurant isn't big inside and only has about 7-8 big/small tables. Casual dining and water is self serve, just ask for a cup.

    Mapo Tofu
    Andy Y.

    Tasty, delicious, and spicy! A very clean place with an easy kiosk order system. If you are not sure, there are pictures to help you choose. The service was fast and the food was prepared fresh. The dishes were prepared fresh with a lot of spice. Parking was plentiful as it is shared with the businesses within the center. We will be back. Enjoy!

    General tso (front) and pepper steak (back)
    MR H.

    Food: 10/10 recommend. I've been trying to take my friends and family there because it's hard for me to explain. It's not your typical chinese-american style food; everything tasted so fresh and unprocessed. There is so much variety on menu that I'll need to keep coming back with my friends and family so I can try everything on the menu. Pepper steak (white rice included)- I don't even like peppers that much but they were so perfectly cooked-- just firm enough to bite into or pick up without them falling apart but still so soft. The pepper flavor doesn't overpower the sauce flavor or the steak. The steak looked like actual pieces of meat and were so tender that we didn't need to cut it up at all. General tso (white rice included)- omg sooo crispy like it was tossed in the sauce just before serving. We got 3/4 spicy level and it was perfect sweet tang in combination with the biang biang noodles' Szechuan-type spicy. The chicken so juicy and lean. Biang biang noodles (shrimp)- noodles met in your mouth, theyre so good and the sauce wasn't just mouth-tingly, it had a very nice flavor. ordered with shrimp despite not really liking shrimp, but I like trying a variety of proteins to get a good feel for cooking style. These little shrimps were not chewy at all, not fishy, and there were so many of them! Nobody asked, but I liked that they used short grain rice. It wasn't overcooked or over-starchy. The portions were surprisingly generous making it even more worth the price. After dividing the leftovers, I had lunch for work the next 2 days. The leftovers tasted so good, too. Service: fast and polite. The food came out at the same time and there were text message updates on the status of our food. When it got to us, the food was still freshly hot, not reheated. We came in not realizing that they closed in like 45min but they still welcomed us very warmly and made effort to thank us despite more customers straggling in as we left. Ambiance: very calm and extremely casual. Simple disposable plates and utensils. It was perfect for a Tuesday night spontaneous outing with my sister.

    The Handmade noodle was quite tasty. Could use more chili oil but I appreciated the flavor and the bok choy
    Neil W.

    I stumbled upon this place after the Asian Festival on Main in Fairfax. The inside resembles any fast casual strip mall restaurant, although the lady at the counter was quick to welcome us as we walked in. We could either order with her, or with the touchscreen machine. The food came out fairly quickly, although I was warned that the jumbo soup dumplings would take 25 minutes. I loved the handmade noodles, and I recommend anything handmade. I can't attest to the standard Chinese takeout food, such as the orange chicken, general tso, etc. but I love that there's handmade items here, and it's a big differentiating factor between them and other Chinese takeout places. The noodles were very chewy, though they could have used more chili oil, and the dumplings were quite large. I'll have to try the normal dumplings next time

    Chicken w/Black Bean Sauce; extra beef and pork.
    Cornelius G.

    I don't believe I have ever craved Chinese food while visiting Fairfax, but I found myself here, having observed this small restaurant over the years. I ordered chicken with black bean sauce with added beef and pork. (Yes, it was a lot of protein). I requested they only use a small amount of black bean sauce and they went a little overboard or the chef didn't get the memo. Nonetheless, it was wonderful. I wouldn't think twice about returning. It's a small place with tables, but nothing remarkable. Big parking lot. There's a small beer spot next door that is always full of guest, although limited business hours. And, Layered just opened, which is within a two minute walk.

    Combination lo mein
    Rebecca A.

    This is a perfect spot for those desiring a quick takeout spot. While there are tables in the restaurant, it seems few dine in. Dine in is served on flimsy styrofoam plates which adds little to the ambiance. All of the dishes we ordered tasted fine but as a Chinese person, the dishes seemed to be catered to an Americanized palate. The stream of customers coming to pick up orders was steady so the restaurant is clearly popular. However, please note that this is not quite authentic.

    Exterior of Mama's Taste (Feb 2024).

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    3 months ago

    Always great. we get sweet and sour chicken and pan fried dummplings. Always fresh and large portions.

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    11 months ago

    Very tasty food and dumplings! I think it was made from scratch. Will definitely be visiting again.

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    9 months ago

    This was a welcome surprise. A Chinese food restaurant with excellent food in an old strip mall. Crispy beef is the best in the area.

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    Ask the Community - Mama's Taste

    Is this cafeteria style or you have to tip a server?

    Cafeteria style, but you should still tip at least a small amount if you're dining in.

    Is this a sit down restaurant or carry out only?

    Both sit down and carry out.

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    Songbird

    Songbird

    4.3
    (324 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$

    This place is lowk such a hidden gem! its perfect for a dinner hangout with the girls…read more They are consistently delicious, and you can tell a lot of care goes into every dish. The Sesame Chicken was super crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. I think by far, this one was my favorite dish. I also ordered the Crispy Chicken Bao and this was phenomenal. The way the spicy mayo complements the sweet and sour cucumber was scrumptious. The service was so friendly and attentive from walking in to sitting down. The owner (Angela's mother) was super sweet! The decorations are super cute and authentic. If you're looking for great Chinese-American cuisine with an elevated twist and an amazing ambiance, I highly recommend giving Songbird a try!

    This place is such a fun twist on a Chinese takeout bar. The atmosphere blends tiki hut vibes with…read moreChinese influences, making it feel lively, unique, and perfect for grabbing drinks with friends. One of the highlights of the night was meeting the owner, Jason. We bonded over our shared Cantonese backgrounds and even got to meet his aunt, who was visiting from California and happened to be sitting next to us. It made the whole experience feel incredibly welcoming and personal. We ordered the Dynamite Roll, which was a solid choice with 8 generous pieces, and the Szechuan spicy wontons, which were juicy with just the right amount of heat. If you visit, definitely grab a seat at the bar. The bartenders are friendly, engaging, and really add to the experience. We were treated to a complimentary shot of Jäger with Jason and even got to sample their Lychee Pearl cocktail because the bartender had made an extra. The cocktails really stood out. Instead of masking everything with sugary juices, they use extracts and creative techniques to build balanced drinks that complement the flavors beautifully. Jason also mentioned that their cocktail specials change every month, so we already told him we'll be back regularly to see what new creations he comes up with.

    Photos
    Cute and clean bathrooms
    Cute and clean bathrooms
    General Tso chicken
    General Tso chicken
    Water carafe

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    Water carafe
    Mama Chang

    Mama Chang

    3.9
    (997 reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $$

    Mama Chang is the perfect place for a group dinner. Come hungry, order a bunch of dishes to share,…read moreand you'll still leave with plenty of leftovers. Our group of five sampled a great variety from the menu, including the Hot & Numbing Tofu Skin, Crab Roe Soup Dumplings, Cucumber Salad, Lettuce Wraps, Cumin Fish, Stir-Fried Beef Tenderloin, Crispy Pork Ribs with Scallion Crisps and Mixed Grain & Purple Rice, Stir-Fried Beef with Chilies, and Kung Pao Chicken with white rice. The standout for me was the cumin fish. It was fried perfectly--crispy without being greasy--and the cumin added great flavor without overpowering the dish. The crispy pork ribs lived up to their name and had a nice kick of spice. The cucumber salad packed a serious garlic punch, which I really enjoyed. The Hot & Numbing Tofu Skin was something completely different from what I expected. It's sliced into long ribbons that resemble noodles or pasta. The flavor was excellent, although the texture took some getting used to. The only dish that fell a little short was the stir-fried beef tenderloin, which could have used a bit more seasoning. Everything else was delicious. The portions are enormous. At first the prices seemed a little high, but once the food arrived it made perfect sense. Every entrée was easily enough for two meals. One thing to keep in mind is that rice is ordered separately and isn't included with the entrées. Service was excellent throughout our meal. We arrived for lunch and didn't realize they close between lunch and dinner (lunch is served from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.). We ended up staying until about 2:45, and the staff never made us feel rushed even though they had technically closed. They greeted us promptly, took our drink orders, and gave us plenty of time to look over the menu without hovering. The restaurant is tucked away on the ground floor of an office building, so it's easy to drive right past if you aren't looking for it. Parking was plentiful, and the oversized booths comfortably fit all five of us without feeling cramped. If you're dining with a group and want to sample a variety of authentic dishes, Mama Chang is definitely worth the visit.

    So happy we finally dined in! The whole family had a great dinner, even my usually picky parents…read more My dad said it was the best fried rice he's ever had, the orange chicken tasted so fresh and authentic, and we loved all the smaller plates. We dined in with two kids and they were able to accommodate with a high chair and kids cups. The menu has a really good variety without being overwhelming. Parking is easy and there is a nice private dining space in the back that was being used for a graduation party. New favorite Chinese place in Fairfax.

    Photos
    Indoor seating
    Indoor seating
    Peking Duck
    Peking Duck
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    Mala Hot Pot
    Chef Yan

    Chef Yan

    3.4
    (414 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$

    Hidden gem! A nice sit down restaurant with lunch specials and even happy hour drinks! Pleasantly…read morequiet with good service. Was pleased with the little appetite openers (pickled radish and peanuts) while waiting. Authentic and tasty, though I think they made it less spicy for us So

    Chef Yan delivered the kind of meal that makes a celebration feel even more special. We started…read morewith the xiao long bao, which came out steaming hot with delicate wrappers and a rich, savory broth inside. Every bite had that perfect balance of soup, pork filling, and ginger-vinegar flavor that makes xlb so satisfying. The sizzling beef was easily one of the standouts of the night. It arrived still crackling on the plate, tender and packed with smoky, slightly sweet flavor. The tofu shrimp dish was another surprise favorite -- light but comforting, with silky tofu and perfectly cooked shrimp that paired really well together. For something more classic, the chicken and string beans hit the mark. The chicken was juicy, the string beans stayed crisp, and the garlic sauce tied everything together without overpowering the dish. To top it all off, the restaurant brought out dessert for my brother's birthday, which made the night feel extra thoughtful and memorable. Between the food, generous portions, and warm atmosphere, Chef Yan turned a simple dinner into a great celebration meal. Definitely a spot worth coming back to.

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    Chef Yan
    Beef Stir-Fried with Wild Pepper
    Beef Stir-Fried with Wild Pepper
    Shredded Pork wDried Tofu

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    Shredded Pork wDried Tofu
    Cheng's Asian House

    Cheng's Asian House

    4.2
    (859 reviews)
    8.7 mi
    $$

    If you're looking for outstanding Asian food, this place is absolutely worth seeking out. The…read morelocation is a little tucked away, but the food more than makes up for it. The portions are incredibly generous, and every dish we tried was delicious. The drunken noodles were packed with flavor, the fried rice was perfectly cooked, the Tso's chicken was excellent, and the steamed fish was fresh and beautifully prepared. The highlight of the meal was the spectacular tableside Flambé dessert--it was both delicious and a fun experience. The service was exceptional. Our waitress was incredibly sweet, attentive, and made sure we were well taken care of throughout the meal. The owners were also warm and welcoming, adding to the wonderful dining experience. And don't skip the beer--it was fantastic! Great food, generous portions, outstanding hospitality, and excellent value. We'll definitely be back.

    I saw this place named on some guy's list of best restaurants in NOVA. We only ordered 4 dishes so…read moreI can't speak for the rest of the menu. But what we did get was pretty darn good (if a bit pricey)! The style is much more authentic, so if you're looking for something like Hunan Cafe (Greenbriar), or that NOVA institution China King, this is different. Is it better? For the most part, yes. (But I still crave that Americanized sweet, spicy, glazey brown sauce that comes in slight variations in so many dishes). I had the hot and sour soup, Szechuan spicy fried eggplant sticks, Taiwanese rice noodles with fried tofu, and the Chengdu twice cooked pork. Everything was excellent, except....the hot and sour soup. Honestly, Hunan Cafe and China King beat the pants off this place's hot and sour soup. Here, it was a bit too sweet. It had some red chilies in it, but I could not detect much white pepper. And it's a vegetarian version, so no small bits of chicken or pork. I'd skip this the next time I order from here. But the other dishes... amazing! The noodles were light-tasting but still delicious. The eggplant was garnished with cilantro, garlic, salt, and red chili sauce. The twice cooked pork was sauteed with sliced leeks and the same red chili sauce. I think that's the fresh, zingy, spice flavor profile I like that can't be found at Americanized Chinese restaurants. Sure, China King has its place and I'll still go back there when I'm close (RIP China King Fair Lakes and Herndon). And admittedly, I go to that awful Panda chain occasionally because I never learn. The unfortunate thing is, I'll more likely go to these places than Cheng's because of the price. The pork dish was $21 and the noodle dish was $19. My total bill came to $60 before tax and tip. If I need to stuff my face with a Chinese umami bomb fast, I'm probably going to the other places for $15-30. I do want to try the rest of the menu at Cheng's, but it's going to be a drawn-out process for the sake of my wallet. I'd be remiss if I didn't include a comment from my dining partner. She compared the quality and taste of the food at Cheng's to Peter Chang's (either Peter Chang's-Herndon, or Mama Chang Fairfax). A high compliment. But she said the value is better at those places' AYCE options than what we got at Cheng's, and I agree. If you've been to none of these places, you have to try them all at least once.

    Photos
    Cheng's Asian House
    Sesame Chicken
    Sesame Chicken
    Banana Flambe - set up

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    Banana Flambe - set up

    Mama's Taste - chinese - Updated August 2026

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