The latest New York Times list of the 100 Best New York City Restaurants is out, and it includes three Taiwanese places, one of which (a hole-in-the-wall spot called Mama Lee) made the top ten.
Also listed, Ho Foods (#89) in Manhattan and Taiwanese Gourmet (#61) in Queens.
Mama Lee is listed as temporarily closed on google maps. Maybe Ms. Lee refuses to forgive the journalist.
The menu looks like fairly standard Taiwanese offerings, but the price is pretty American.
I hear good things about Mama Lee a lot (there’s been a couple of branches). I would try any of these, hope to soon.
How do these restaurants compare to the ones in Taiwan? Are they authentic, or more localized to American tastebuds? I keep hearing that the Taiwanese restaurants in NYC and Vancouver are better and higher-quality than what you’d typically find here. No idea if it’s true because I’ve never eaten at a Taiwanese restaurant abroad though.
I’ll believe it when I see it, ha. Maybe more high end places $$$
Seems Mama Lee has moved to various locations because of increasing rent cost. I read some online comments of people who spoke with her, they suggest she’s got burnout. The website isn’t up anymore either. And yeah, those prices in NYC are insane!