Mamasan Bali: 10 Years Viral. Worth the Hype or a Flop?

Every time I come to Bali, someone on my social media feed is always posting about Mamasan. It's been popular for almost ten years, but the reviews are getting more and more polarized; some people praise it to the heavens, while others roast it like crazy.

This time, a friend was celebrating their birthday, so we decided to book a table here. I'm here to be the guinea pig for you all and see if it's still worth the hype!

The Vibe is Mantap, Transported to Old Shanghai in a Second

Seriously, Mamasan has absolutely nailed the atmosphere. The moment you walk in, you're struck by that old Shanghai retro vibe. The dim yellow lighting, mottled walls adorned with huge black-and-white portraits—it feels like you've been transported into a Wong Kar-wai film in an instant. Every corner is super photogenic[1]. For Nongkrong and chatting, or for a date or celebration, this ambiance definitely sets the right mood. ✨

The cuisine is Southeast Asian Fusion, and we ordered a whole table of food. There were some pleasant surprises and some shocks.

👍 Recommended (Go for it):

👎 Not Recommended (Order with caution):

But! To be honest, not every dish is a winner. Some dishes are just... "mid." They look good in photos but taste pretty unremarkable, not worth the price[4]. For example, some of the curries and the beef rendang were a bit overpowering; the saltiness completely overshadowed all the other spices, and you have to chug water just to get through it[5].

• Caramelized Char Siu Pork Hock[2]: The best dish of the night! A pork hock disguised as Peking duck, the meat is stewed until it's tender and flavorful, full of that rich, fatty aroma. Served with thin pancakes and sauce, one bite will seriously make you go "wow"!
• Scallop and Prawn Har Gows[3]: This one was a pleasant surprise too. The wrappers are so thin they're translucent, and the prawn and scallop filling inside is fresh, tender, and juicy. The texture is amazing.

Gotta get some things off my chest

OK, let's be real for a second.

First, the price. It's about $30 per person, not including drinks, which is definitely on the expensive side for Bali. It'll hurt your wallet a bit. Second, the portions are quite generous. Even the small dishes are big enough for a few people to share, so definitely don't over-order[6].

As for the service... how should I put it? The staff is friendly, but during peak hours, it's really slow. Trying to get a water refill is a matter of luck[7]. Also, the ambiance is really romantic, but it's also really dark! You need to use your phone's flashlight to read the menu. You can't even see the pimples on your date's face, which I guess could be a plus? 😂[8]

Pro Tips to Avoid Disappointment

Finally, for all the girls who want to check this place out, here are the key takeaways. Save this! 👇

Overall, Mamasan is more suited for those who are all about the 【vibe】 and 【photos】. It's still worth visiting once for the ambiance and those few signature dishes. Have you been? Do you think it's Mantap or Anjay? Let's chat in the comments

• 1. 【You absolutely! must! book in advance!】[9] Especially for dinner on weekends, if you just walk in, you'll probably be waiting forever.
• 2. 【It's more Chill at lunchtime】 If you want to eat and take photos in peace, go for lunch. It's much less crowded, and the experience is way better.
• 3. 【Ordering Strategy】 Go for the signature pork hock and har gows. For the other dishes, just go with your gut, but don't have overly high expectations. If you're in a small group, don't get greedy and order too much!
• 4. 【Getting There】 Parking is very limited if you drive. I'd recommend using the valet service or just riding a scooter here. It's the least hassle[10].