Cara checks out the newly opened Mama Li, bringing modern Chinese dining to Canary Wharf.

Mama Li an authentic Cantonese spot recently landed in Wood Wharf and I was there for the opening.  Well, by there I mean I passed it by to check it out. The long queue stretched long and busy along the newly placed pavement.

I know many dislike Canary Wharf area but I’m quite a fan, it’s clean with that sparkling brand new attitude to it. New developments of course bring new openings beginner and chains.

For Mama Li it’s a third location so it has made a name for itself that’s evident in the queue, I don’t attempt to try it on the soft launch night, the wait is over an hour I’m told.

Instead I’m here today. A month and something later and no soft launch discount anymore the tables are just as busy. There is also a regular flow of pop ins collecting their take away.

Mama Li is a very casual spot, tables are close to each other, bright lighting, large portions and the tables are just big enough to fit in those plates and drinks.

They are famous for roasted meats and at a very decent price. £13.99 gets a combo of 3 meats, Chinese leaf veggies and a rice of choice.

As said, portions are generous the combo is plenty as a share even, a table next to us of just two casual friends are doing just that along with tea and a soup dish.

A table further down is a couple, not a date date but rather let’s eat out casually instead of order in. That’s kind of the vibe here, no frills, just filling, hearty portions.

A bit like at your friend’s grandma of Asian or Slavic origin that will feed you till the solid oak stool you are sitting on that her husband carved when they were both eighteen, gives slightly under the newly consumed weight.

I start with a Lychee Martini, it’s now a habit of mine testing cocktails in casual spots. It’s good, very good in fact, balanced and naturally tasting.

I think the time of artificially flavoured sugary cocktails is finally gone even in most casual spots.

For beers it has two, the classic Asahi and a Tsingtao a Chinese lager, my guest is quite a fan of the latter. Straw in colour, a little fizzy it’s perfect for the meal. 

In addition to fidning a new beer we also learnt that this Mama Li has a longer menu than its other locations. So we start with one of the newly added dishes: an assortment of dim sum and fried pork dumplings.

Generously filled the pork dumplings are a winner. The assorted steamed variety not so much, a little chunky on the wrapping and plain on the stuffing, they are not the best I’ve tried.

But we are here for the roasted meat, a trio of soy chicken, crispy pork and BBQ pork is on my guest’s plate along with fried rice. You get to pick a rice variety, ours is egg fried rice.

The meats are good and just as the menu described succulent tender pork cuts, sweet BBQ glaze and well the classic soy chicken. A dish I recently attempted to make at home.

The meat is poached and plunged into cold water to give the skin that signature crisp texture before covering it in rich ginger, soy and garlic sauce.

It’s a fairly foolproof and easy dish to make at home that leaves a very decent stock to use for a French chicken bouillon too.

But if you don’t fancy all the kitchen huffing around Mama Li is your spot.

For variety our second main comes from the wok section. Black pepper beef offers a good balance of sliced veggies with tender juicy beef strips spiced just right.

We are full but leaving without a dessert would be a crime. French roast with custard is their best seller.

Taking inspiration from Hong Kong cafés, it features thick slices of sweet bread, deep-fried and topped with a whopping slab of butter—almost too much, even for a butter fan like me.

The centre hides a yolk bright oozing custard. It’s sweet, oily and beautifully eggy. The second half comes with us home.

If you love humble roasted meats Cantonese style without the frill Mama Li is the spot for a casual dine when in the area. Take away is also an option but bear in mind the menu offers a slightly smaller choice.

Mama Li, 3 West Ln, Canary Wharf Estate, London E22 3AA