MaMa Ji’s
MaMa Ji’s is a hidden gem located in the heart of San Francisco's Castro district, offering a unique dining experience in the realm of Dim Sum - Szechuan cuisine. This cozy mom-and-pop shop boasts a diverse menu filled with tantalizing options for both vegans and vegetarians alike.
With offerings such as the mother chen's bean curd, wo wo tou, and the crowd-favorite Ma Po Tofu, MaMa Ji’s truly stands out for its bold flavors and innovative dishes. The dishes are expertly crafted with a perfect balance of spice and umami, leaving your taste buds craving for more.
The ambiance at MaMa Ji’s is casual yet inviting, making it the perfect spot for a semi-casual dinner with friends or loved ones. The attentive service and fast delivery of food only add to the overall dining experience.
Whether you're a fan of traditional Szechuan dishes or looking to explore new flavors, MaMa Ji’s is sure to impress. So, if you find yourself craving for some delicious and authentic Chinese cuisine, MaMa Ji’s is the place to be!
MaMa Ji’s Menu
Location
Address: 4416 18th St San Francisco, CA 94114
Phone: (415) 626-4416
Business info
- Offers DeliveryYes
- Offers TakeoutYes
- ReservationsNo
- Vegan OptionsYes
- Many Vegetarian OptionsYes
- Accepts Credit CardsYes
- Accepts Android PayNo
- Accepts Apple PayNo
- Outdoor SeatingYes
- CasualYes
- Moderate NoiseYes
- Good For KidsYes
- Good for Lunch, DinnerYes
- Street ParkingYes
- Beer & Wine OnlyYes
- Gender-neutral restroomsYes
- Offers CateringNo
- Not Good For GroupsNo
- Wi-FiNo
- Dogs Not AllowedNo
- TVNo
- Bike ParkingYes
Last Reviews
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Author: Ashwini A.
SERVICE - located in the Castro district between houses slightly away from other restaurants and bars - street parking available nearby - plenty of indoor seating and a few outdoor tables - good for large or small groups - servers explain menu specials thoroughly - food served quickly - ambiance good for semi casual dinner MENU - sichuan food - vegan options available - average price ($17 per entree) FOOD - mother chen's bean curd (6/10): silken tofu in sichuan peppercorn heavy sauce with peas and onions. This dish is marked with three chilis on the menu for good reason. Between two of us, we could barely finish it before our tongues turned numb. Make sure to order it with a side of rice to help balance the flavors. - wo wo tou (8/10): six corn cake pockets with a smoked tofu, bell pepper, and green bean stir fry. This was one of the specials that the chef had just added to the menu. It was unlike any dish I had seen in a Chinese restaurant. I really liked the flavor of the tofu mixture as it was quite spicy but also very umami from the firm tofu. On its own the corn cake was bland but served as a good vehicle for the filling. WOULD I GO BACK? Yes! There were a lot of unique vegetarian options and the flavors lived up to my expectations
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Author: Lan L.
I went to Mama Ji's for dinner yesterday after spending the day at Dolores Park. It's a charming mom-and-pop shop. The owner was very nice, greeting us warmly and telling us about the specialty/off-menu items. These dishes were inspired by her recent trip to China, and her passion for them was evident in her descriptions. We decided to try one of the specialty items, a spare ribs dish, along with Szechuan fish in chili oil and dumplings. All the dishes were delicious, but I was most impressed with the spare ribs specialty. I definitely plan to come back, as the food was really good and the prices were very reasonable. Mama Ji's is truly a hidden gem, especially since it's not located in an area typically known for Chinese food.
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Author: Bobby W.
Food: 4/5 Service: 4/5 Value: 4/5 Ambiance: casual Ordered the hot and numbing fish, triple C tofu (spicy carmelized tofu), fish with chiles and Sichuan pepper. My favorite dish was actually the caramelized tofu as that homemade sauce was unique. The numbing fish is a specialty and while I enjoyed it, I thought it was a bit "too crispy". The Sichuan fish was decent but isn't the best I've had in the area. It's a little light on the fish. Portions are good so it justifies the cost. Service is standard, nothing missing but nothing above and beyond. I'd come again but wouldn't say it's one of my favorites.
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Author: Amanda R.
We stopped here for an early Sunday dinner and were graciously welcomed in although we arrived a few minutes before they officially opened at 5:30 pm. We ordered the country style shrimp, chongqing chicken and beef chow fun. The Szechuan peppercorns in the chicken were intense and did numb our mouths a bit, but we expected that. My favorite was the chow fun. We enjoyed all the dishes, however, I wish they were slightly less salty. Our food came out quickly and the restaurant was packed by the time we finished our meal.