Konted's Make My Day: Eating Mami Noodles All My Life

Eating Mami Noodles All My Life

          If there is one constant in my life, then that is eating mami noodles. At a very young age, when ignorance was still so much a part of me, my father would take me, after watching a movie at Avenida Rizal, to Charlie's at the back of Republic Supermarket in Sta.Cruz, Manila. Served in dented and almost worn-out bowls, Charlie's steaming hot Beef Mami was a bestseller in those days. With the food preparation seen through a clear glass panel, Charlie's had a strong following from people from all walks of life.

           In high school, I would join several classmates as we trooped to Ma Mon Luk at Quezon Avenue for our lunch. Dressed in all-white attire with matching necktie as it was the designated uniform for First Friday of the Month, we would ask for Chicken Mami paired with Jumbo Siopao. Ma Mon Luk was the only option open to us as the school canteen and other nearby eateries would not serve meat on First Fridays. It was against school rules to eat meat on such day. And Ma Mon Luk was some distance away from the prying eyes of the Capuchin Fathers. Before slurping the delectable thick noodles of the Mami King, we would make the sign of the cross.

            In college, we would treat ourselves to a bowl of Ling Nam Beef Mami after a basketball game at the Chiang Kai Sek gymnasium in Binondo. While Ma Mon Luk served the thick noodles, Ling Nam had thin ones. Whether having played a good game or having scored miserably, we made it a point to drop by Ling Nam. The drinking spree would follow later in Sta. Mesa Heights in Q.C. About this time too, Jona's Mami near Mayon St was making waves.

            In recent years, Chow King undoubtedly has taken hold of the market. There is a Chow King outlet at almost every mall, every town or city throughout the country serving Mami and Siopao. Whether Wanton, Beef, Chicken or combination of any two, I savor Chow King's Mami paired with Bola Bola Siopao almost every week. This time, I enjoy the privilege of using a Senior Citizen card, which was non-existent in the early years.

           Now, there is another player in the noodles league. Classier and more expensive, Mey Lin serves hand-pulled noodles and offers a wide variety to choose from. While the usual Mami house uses machine-made noodles, Mey Lin takes the extra time to produce their own noodles through a process called hand-pulling where the dough is pressed by hand, pulled lengthwise and folded several times. This can be viewed by customers while waiting for their orders. Some items in demand include Seafood Noodles, Beef Noodles and Hot and Sour Noodles. There is one Mey Lin outlet at SM Megamall. Try the Hand-pulled Noodles for a change. It is about time that you did.

            I still remember an incident that happened many years ago while I was working in Baguio City. One Sunday morning, I was nursing a hangover on account of a drinking binge with friends the night before. I drove to F.B. Harrison Road near Burnham Park, saw a big signage that had on it "Louie's House of Wanton", parked right in front, took a seat near the counter and called the waiter: "Bigyan mo nga ako isang Wanton Mami. Yung mainit na mainit ha. Me hangover ako."

             Without even going to the kitchen, the young waiter answered quickly: "Wala ho Wanton Mami. Kahit anong Wanton wala ho kami." Showing signs of irritation, I said: "House of Wanton, wala kayo kahit anong wanton? Tawagin mo yung Louie, yung may ari." Again, the waiter quickly replied: "Wala ho dito yung may ari. At hindi ho Louie ang pangalan nya." That was the last straw. I shouted: "Hindi Louie pangalan? Siguro Joey, ano?" And I walked out, slammed the door and headed in the direction of Session Road.

- Konted