Fragrant smells of sesame and garlic fill the air at Mamahuhu, the latest restaurant to open at Town and Country Village, bringing a modern take on Chinese-American cuisine. The eatery aims to redefine traditional takeout dishes with higher-quality ingredients and a focus on feel-good dining.
The cozy yet lively space, with warm lights and pastel yellow chairs, makes the restaurant, which opened Sept. 29, a great spot for evening dinners or a quick lunch.
According to Ariel Mahon, a general manager, the mission of Mamahuhu, a San Francisco-based restaurant, is to change the perception of Chinese-American food.
“We’re a Chinese-American restaurant,” Mahon said. “The idea behind it [Mamahuhu] is that we want to take American Chinese food and elevate it into something that people can enjoy whenever they want and feel good about eating,” Mahon said.
Mahon said the restaurant also offers student-friendly options on the menu.
“We have a really good kids’ plate — you can get chicken nuggets or braised chicken with rice or garlic noodles, and it comes with broccoli for 10 bucks,” Mahon said. “Our sandwiches are really awesome — we’ve got a sweet and sour, spicy or a garlicky savory one.”
Upon entering on a Friday evening, we found screens to order food — either takeout or dine-in style. We ordered dine-in and our food promptly arrived within 15 minutes — starting with tea.
We sat down for dinner and here’s what we found:
Tomato Garlic Chow Mein — $15 — (7/10)
This dish offered a satisfying balance between comfort and flavor with its light garlic noodles mixed with juicy tomatoes. The noodles were soft and slightly chewy, coated in a tomato-based sauce with a hint of garlic. However, the sauce leaned slightly toward the sweet side, which made the flavor taste milder than expected. While the portion size was generous, the noodles lacked the punch of spice or umami that would have elevated the flavor profile. Still, this dish is a solid option for noodle-lovers who want something mild, convenient and easy to enjoy.
Honey Hawthorn — $13 — (8.5/10)
This sandwich was a delicious combination of honey-glazed fried chicken and crunchy cabbage. The chicken was tender and juicy, coated in a crispy batter that remained crunchy despite the honey glaze. The sauce had a mixture of subtle sweetness and thickness that gave the sandwich a more elevated taste. The layer of shredded cabbage added an extra crunch and created a sense of freshness that cut through the richness of the fried chicken. Overall, while it was heavy on the sauce, the flavors of the honey and hawthorn were vibrant. This dish would be enjoyable for anyone who enjoys chicken sandwiches.
Sweet & Sour Chicken — $18 — (9/10)
The Sweet & Sour Chicken was an excellent choice, offering a pleasant take on a classic. Each piece of chicken was lightly battered and had a crisp exterior while the interior remained juicy. The sweet and sour sauce leaned on the sweet side and was more muted when compared to a traditional Chinese sweet and sour chicken dish. While still extremely flavorful, the sauce could have offered more tang to add to the overall taste. When paired with the side of rice and fragrant sesame cucumbers that the chicken comes with, this dish would be enjoyed by many.
Sweet & Sour Cauliflower — $17 — (8.5/10)
This was one of the standout dishes, as it was crispy, tangy and addictive. The cauliflower had a golden, crunchy coating that held up well even under the sticky sweet-and-sour glaze. Each bite delivered a burst of flavor and was zesty, sweet and just sharp enough. While it bordered on being slightly too sweet after several bites, the dish was well-executed. It was served with a side of steamed rice and sesame cucumbers, which balanced the sweetness nicely and added freshness to the plate. Overall, this dish would easily appeal to anyone who loves flavorful vegetarian options.
Eggplant Tofu — $17 — (6/10)
This dish had good potential, but it didn’t fully come together. The tofu cubes were soft and tender, soaking up some of the sauce, while the eggplant was cooked through and flavorful. However, the dish was too oily, and the savory sauce could have used more depth or spice to elevate the combination. The accompanying rice and sesame cucumbers added a light, refreshing contrast that helped balance the dish. With a touch more balance and texture, this could become a much stronger entrée.
Hong Kong Lemon Tea — $5 — (5/10)
The Hong Kong Lemon Tea sounded promising but ended up being underwhelming. The drink lacked the bright citrus kick expected from a lemon-based tea, with the taste leaning more toward a faintly sweet black tea than a refreshing, tangy beverage. The lemon presence was minimal — both in aroma and taste — making it feel flat. While it was lightly chilled and visually appealing, it missed the balance of tartness and bold flavor that could have made it a standout refreshment.
Cherry Red Bean Chop Suey Sundae — $4.50 — (9.5/10)
This dessert surprised us in the best way. It combined creamy, velvety texture with a subtle sweetness that didn’t overpower the ice cream. The cherry added just the right amount of tartness to balance the smooth red bean flavor, creating a layered, refreshing finish. Light yet indulgent, it stood out as the perfect way to end the meal. The only downside was the portion — a bit small for the price — though the flavor and quality made up for it.
Mango Coconut Chop Suey Sundae — $4 — (8.5/10)
The Mango Coconut Chop Suey Sundae was smooth, tropical and perfectly chilled, and it delivered a refreshing mix of creamy coconut and sweet mango. The texture was silky and went well together, and the flavor balance — rich but not heavy — made it easy to finish the whole cup. While it didn’t have the depth or surprise factor of the Cherry Red Bean, it was still a delightful, summery treat that rounded out the meal. Like the Cherry Red Bean, the portion felt slightly small for the price, but its taste and presentation were worth savoring.
