I don't know what else to say because there's so much great reviews for this restaurant already. It's THE best Chinese restaurant to me in New York. read more

You basically come to Mama Lee to get a home style Taiwanese dinner cooked for you. This includes a soup to start (with daikon and a poached chicken drumstick inside!), rice, meat and vegetables, and even a little lychee jelly dessert at the end. All the dishes really reminded me of eating at home with my parents (even though I'm not actually Taiwanese, the homestyle thing is common for all people from the Chinese culture.) Just like being at home, you can pretty much get seconds of anything except the main dishes. In fact, we came on a night where the restaurant was about to be closed for a few days, so the owner was literally just getting rid of everything. She gave us many extra portions of soup to take home for free. Also, they run out of dishes close to the closing, so a few people came in and just got a ground meat sauce rice dish with cabbage and eggs. It's not open for long during dinner time, and the owner closes the restaurant for weeks at a time. (We think she's a missionary of some kind.) You really must call ahead before you go, especially if you're coming from a longer distance, since her opening hours are wacky. Walked out of here feeling like I just got a big hug from Mama Lee. Would travel to Bayside from Jackson Heights again to have it. 5 stars. read more

Authentic - and trust me when I say it. Super nice lady. Will definitely make a return trip and hopefully Mama Lee isn't retiring anytime soon. read more

Ordered 5 different meals and they're all very good. But our favorite is the Salt and Pepper Chicken and Taiwanese Pork Chop

I don't like their service at all! If there is a 0 star, I will definitely do it. My friend and I walked in around 3pm on Sunday, and they closed at 4pm for a hour break. Every staff included the boss(mama Lee) was very rude. There were 2-3 ppl cleaning a table, yes, just 1! No one was helping us or gave us a menu. We found no one to take our order because the cashier said "Don't talk to me, u talk and order with mama Lee. What the..... Ok...After we finally ordered, mama Lee yelled at us and said she didn't want to make any order now, also she didn't want to make just one order for two people! This is it, I'm done! Actually I can order more, and my friend was here just for me. But their attitude was just too rude. If you were too tired to handle customers, then just stop the business. 這家店不會再來！ 1. 態度極差，兩三個人擦一個桌子把客人晾著，想到又猛催點餐 2.那我站櫃臺要點餐，你的人員站在收銀機，卻可以跟客人白眼說，點餐不要找我，去找她說（媽媽李 **如果你只有擦桌、收錢，特定功能，請掛個牌子，大家就不會煩你喔！ 3.你忙是你的事，有店規你可以寫出來，請不要在我點完餐才大吼大叫跟我說你不想煮，或說兩個人點一個餐你不做，或是這樣不準內用！ 4. 客人不是進門給你們白眼看你們臉色，老闆對你不好，你去找她說，或找勞工局；老闆覺得很忙很累，可以收攤不要做，好好環遊世界！ read more

Mama Lee ! Great Tawniness restaurant, food are delicious and price is right. Will definitely recommend to anyone. read more

It was the way she treated her customers. Mama Lee was there to to greet you with a big smile. She wiped your table and poured you tea in the manner that made you feel like you were eating at your friend's and her mom was taking care of you. You could tell that she valued your business. She gave you the wrong order and next time your order was free. She told you she didnt' pay attention to Yelp reviews, but she asked you in person to tell her how to improve. Her food tasted home made. I don't know what else anyone can possibly be looking for in a hole in a wall. Enough said. read more

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3.5 rounded up to 4 due to my personal biases (details to come). It took me a while to stop by Mama Lee. This wasn't because I was trying to avoid the hype, but I am not typically a fan of Taiwanese style cuisine (hence my personal biases). I knew that my opinion would be impacted so I waited until one of my Taiwanese friends came along to be a compass for me. Personally, the food was nice but a little bland to my personal taste. It was cooked and presented well. My friend approved of the food but did mention that some of the dishes could be better. He also mentioned alternatives to me in Chinatown. Overall, I enjoyed the experience. Everything that has been said about this place is true: family atmosphere, home cooking, high standards of personal service delivered by Mama Lee. We definitely over ordered so that we could try a lot of dishes and had leftovers, which Mama Lee repackaged for us. Until the next. read more

Mama Lee is run by a real mother. I would assume she's a real mother because she just gives off that kind, soft spoken vibe that only mothers do. Good chinese food is here. Good portions too! Ordered the beef with sha-cha sauce and it was more than enough to take home for a snack. Soup comes with every meal and you get radish soup (not sure if that's all the time or just today) when I went. I downed the whole thing! She even asked me in Chinese "is this lunch for you or did you just wake up?" I sheepishly replied that it was my lunch and she smiled and said "I figured. You young folks always wake up so late!" Love Mama Lee. She's nice as hell and the food is authentic and relatively cheap $11 for a rice dish and soup. read more

I waited a long time to try this place. It was worth the wait. Amazing home style Taiwanese food. We ordered fried chicken with rice and eggplant. So much we took home the rest snd had a second dinner. Too bad it's in Bayside ( where we used to live) instead of Northport. And Mama Lee and hubby do all the cooking etc. don't miss this great place. read more

Very impressed with this small restaurant. I always saw bunch of good reviews and I finally decided to stop by with my friend. Place only has 2 tables set up. As soon as we walked in, I felt little weird cuz there was nobody behind the counter. I repeatedly say "hello" to grab somebody's attention from kitchen and it didn't work. I realized that there was a bell on the counter so I rang the bell and patiently waited. Lady came out of the kitchen and asked us to sit. My friend and I wanted to order three things off the menu but lady insisted to just order two since their portions are big. So we decided to listen to the lady and we are glad that we listened. Also lady said we can help ourselves to any drinks in the cooler. I am not going to lie, food was not all that good.. don't get me wrong, who wasn't bad either. It was just average.. and also, we ordered braised pork over rice and I only saw two small pieces of pork. The reason for 5 star is their service.. when I went to pay for the meal, lady charged us for 2 dishes and says tips included. "I am working by myself with no employees so there is no reason for you to leave a tip." And I realized she didn't charge us for drinks either. Our bill was $27 and I decided to leave $10 cash tip for her and she was keep insisting that we don't have to... we ended giving her the tip and she even offered more free bottle water and apple soda drink as we walk out. Really impressed with the lady and I will be sure to come back here to try different variety of foods from their menu! read more

Always crowded and never open late enough, Mama Lee (her maiden surname) never fails to please. I know that her dishes are quite generous and tasty but honestly it's the home style free soup that I come back for. If you have leftovers she will gladly pack them up and give you extra rice for tomorrows lunch. read more

Way to much money! I can go to flushing Main Street and eat like a queen for 20 bucks. You people are all paying for their rent! Haven't ordered and never will with crazy amount. Hope they give a lot.... read more

Love lovee this little spot. Mama lee treats her customers like her family. The food is always delicious and on point all the time. If you want true taiwanese home cook food you gotta give this place a try. Always call ahead of time cause her business hours are very irregular sometimes. It is also a little restaurant so seats are limited so always call ahead. You dont need to tip but people are generally really respectful and tries to clean up after themselves. read more

Wow, just wow. My bf wanted to try this place after reading about Ms. Lee and the restaurant on The New York Times. We ordered the Chicken w/ Soy Sauce & Basil, Dried Sauteed String Bean and Fry Sliced Flounder Fish. She also gave us soup and cucumber side dish with our meal. Everything was delicious. Words can't describe. I don't know how else to describe how delicious the food was. She was literally "Mama Lee". I felt like I was eating a home cooked meal at my best friend's house. At the end of our meal, we had some leftovers so we asked for a togo box and she packs it up for us with extra rice, veggies, egg and minced pork. How lovely is this woman?! Food was awesome. She was awesome. Couldn't have asked for a better meal! read more

We finally tried this place and wished we had been coming here for years. Hands down the best Taiwanese food if not Chinese food. You don't come here for ambience, deco, nice plating and silverware, and high service level. You come here for great home-style Taiwanese dishes. And that to me is what the ratings reflect. Nothing too salty or oily or overdone and nothing what we viewed as Americanized Asian cuisine. Having been to Taiwan and to Taiwanese restaurants in LA and NYC, I can honestly say this is tops. We had the usual classic dishes including lions head (giant meatball, nothing like Italian style), pork chop, 3-cup chicken, and a few others. The pork bone tomato soup was very good. Must get with purple rice - healthier and tasty. Mama Lee will tell you that. They were out of all seafood items so didn't try. They dont take reservations and they sellout out of things so you must come early. From the time we got there at 5:30pm until we left at 7ish it was constantly busy - dine in and takeout. We feel bad that Mama and Papa Lee were basically doing everything. We saw 1 chef in the kitchen. Thats it! We did our best to cleanup after ourselves and organized used dishes and bowls so easier for them to cleanup. We got our own tea and water upfront. It felt like you were at your grandparents' home and should have taken the dirty dishes to the sink. All that didn't matter. This was a very satisfying meal. Yes, they do take credit card now. Hopefully, they don't retire and close/sell the place because it will probably not be the same. We hope to come back here for years. read more

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Great food great service. Like other reviews said we were served with the complimentary soup first. Came here with my mom during our layover in New York. They knew my mom is a vegetarian. They gave us the "vegan" soup. The Taiwanese pork chops were good. They did not really taste like the real Taiwanese pork chops but the flavor was good. The tofu and vegetable were good. They also have three different type of rices. We were there almost one hour before their close time. They did not rush us to finish our food when it is the close time. They offered free food and gave us extra to-go dishes when we packed out leftover. I wish they move to San Diego... read more

This was my first time there. Honestly, I was trying to go to NEW Mei Hua but no answer so I decided to try Mama Lee. We got the porkchop over rice, the minced beef over rice, and one more dish that I can't recall. They were all pretty tasty. But what I remember the most is the hospitality, the woman there, who may be the mama, gave me an extra side dish and soup. And when I said, can I leave extra tip, she, in true Asian form, was insulted and ushered me away. I thanked her profusely. It's rare that people add nice touches like that. I will definitely come back because of the service. read more

I have to admit, Mama Lee was definitely outstanding. I can see the charm and the reason that so many like Mama Lee. Remarkable taste and flavor, Fried Pork Chops was so good. They're very pleasant and very helpful. I can not wait to return to Mama Lee. read more

Mama Lee is walking distance from another Bayside favor of my ( Tea Station ). I finally decided to try it out on 2 occasions on take out. There are only 2-3 parking spots in front of Mama Lee, so I have to either park on Bell Blvd or some side street. I have tried the friend pork chop rice plate, the 3 cup chicken rice plate & fried Chicken Roll. There was ample quantity of pork (not too dry) and chicken with delicious sauce . The rice was pretty good and not too hard or dry. The thing that impress me the most on both occasions was the soup they give you along with the rice plate. The soup did not taste like MSG and very similar to the home made soup that my mom like to make for me when I go visit her. The fried chicken roll was as good as the one I had in 66 海之味 in Flushing. The other yelpers are correct, the order time about 12-15 mins depending how busy they are. Both time I went on a Sunday around 1:15 pm EST and their dine in was full with people waiting. I just place my order and go to grab a HK style tea at Tea Station and come back in 15 mins and the order was usually ready. Other then 66 海之味 , I don't recall I had Taiwanese food this good in Queens in a while. P.S. Please click helpful. read more

Great food and value for money, a hidden gem in queens. All dishes are authentic, especially love the Lions head and Zhajian mian

I do not know how mama lee does it. The food is fresh and delicious. It's like mother's home cooking. Their black bean noodle is unique and very yummy. read more

Eating at Mama lees feels like getting a home cooked meal even if it's for take out. I went today and she even had banana smoothie to self serve. I always make sure to pair any of her meat dishes with the two mushroom and a vegetable dish. read more

I order dinner for my family regularly from this restaurant. it is absolutely delicious authentic Chinese home cooking. The lady at the counter is very pleasant and always give extra food to the her regular customers. One of the best Chinese food in New York. read more

My wife and I have been here numerous times either for take-out or dining in and Mama Lee and her husband (chef) never disappoints. It is the best home cooked Taiwanese food I have ever eaten and there isn't anything on the menu I dislike. You can tell a lot of time and effort is put into the cooking and Mama Lee always looks out for her customers to ensure satisfaction. Some may argue that the price range is a tad expensive only because tip and service is built into the menu pricing. Overall, you are paying for flavorful food and the quality of service. For the reviews before me, I think it is a bit unfair to give such low ratings based on her business hours and rude attitude. Although, I understand that these are key elements in running a good business, sometimes you just have to wonder maybe that person might be going through something. She lost her main chef in recent months, so she is under a lot of pressure in running the restaurant alone with her husband. She has also been working for a while and I wouldn't blame her if she needs a well deserved break. read more

Mama Lee... just as you expect it to be, home cooking. This is probably one of the healthiest Taiwanese places I've been to that serves your traditional Taiwanese dishes. The place is really small so large groups will be hard to accommodate. When we sat down you have to get your own water which was about two feet away from a water bubbler. It's like home, you go and get your own drinks. Our order was taken and when we added more to our order the lady will give you a tiny slap on your wrist if she thinks you are over ordering like any typical Asian mom who thinks you are over eating! The food came out and it was just the perfect amount so that slap on your wrist was worth it. Everything tasted really good and not oily at all. They do serve purple rice if you ask for it. They give you some free dishes too. For dessert, they give you a sweet potato. Maybe that's why they don't want you to over order. It also gives you a chance to go back and try the other dishes. read more

No MSG in any of the dishes but it's super delicious! Owners are so nice and friendly! Good customer service!

Got takeout from Mama Lee and the potion size is generous and it tasted pretty authentic!

Would give them 10 stars if I could, the food was delicious and this is without their main cook, I can only imagine when he/she returns from vacation, highly recommended hole in the wall spot read more

Mama Lee - Chinese Near Me - Bayside, New York

Authentic taiwanese food ! Big portion of the food, and mama Lee treats customers like her own kids. She packed my left over with some extra veggies and made it into another new lunch box without charging me fees. Complimentary soup is very tasty and you can tell they cook it with hearts! Not like most of the places serve you some cheap soups. Stir-fry dishes are tasty, its the best Taiwanese restaurant in NYC. read more

So goooooooooooooooood. Get the jajangmian (black bean noodle) or the mapo tofu with rice.

Delicious meal, the friendliest owner who is quite motherly and brought us things as she noticed we wanted things. Even when she was closed she kept trying to feed everyone who walked in. Her tip was that she is often busy with other things so call to make sure she's open before going in. The other end of this was the extra containers of soup she sent us home with because she was going to be closed the next couple days and noticed we enjoyed her soup so much. Closes pretty early. read more

This is a great destination for Taiwanese food! On this very warm day, we couldn't resist taking seconds of the delicious chicken + daikon soup, which Mama Lee then packed up extra for us to take home, free of charge. Most of the things we ordered were hits. The blistered green beans didn't make it home -- those were the first to get finished. The salt and pepper fish were excellent, and so was the pork with bamboo shoots. But I couldn't stop eating the soup... The only thing I wasn't a huge fan of was the Taiwanese pork chop, which had a lot more five spice powder and sweetness than I was expecting. I'll have to try the salt and pepper kind next time! Make sure they're open before you head over, especially if you don't live in Bayside. Mama Lee likes to travel, so you may be disappointed! read more

Wow talk about authentic Taiwanese! My fave is the grilled pork chops with rice. The toppings like crumbled pork, pickled vegetables, cooked egg, all give these menu items the down-home feeling of this mom-and-pop. So happy they're still chugging along through this pandemic. They are a great go-to if you're in the Bayside area, or even if you're not. It's definitely worth the trip! read more

Delicious Taiwanese food. Mama Lee is so kind and makes you feel at home. Always get free extra side dishes when I order. Will go definitely back. Highly recommended!!!! read more

Had dinner with family here. I think solid Taiwanese food. Not as good as in Taiwan but then there's no use comparing that. My family got the chicken roll, salt and pepper chicken, eggplant with garlic sauce, meat ball, rice with minced pork, and sauteed Chinese celery with tofu and pork. The chicken roll and rice with minced pork are apparently off menu and it seems like there's much more typical Taiwanese fare you can get if you ask. The prices seem pricy to me but the portions are good and the staff tend to give you some things for free like my family got done pickled cucumbers and minced pork for free... On top of the chicken soup that they give everyone. The minced pork and rice tastes right though it's not using pork belly which I am more accustomed to and the picked veggies with it are more like steamed salted veggies. The staff/owner? Are very friendly as well. read more

Soooo good! Home cooking! Meal comes with homestlye soup so yummy. Beef noodle and taiwanese pork chop over rice was delicious!

My favorite homestyle Taiwanese in NYC (and I lived in Taiwan for two years) but I really wish they kept consistent hours. Its disappointing to drag oneself all the way to Bayside to be faced with the metal door. Call first. read more

It's absolutely the best Taiwanese restaurant you can find in New York!!! Love their food, everything is fresh and authentic! read more

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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