How a noodle cook found love, riches, and the perfect bowl of soup

A new book based on the true story of Ma Mon Luk, known for popularizing mami noodle soup and his eponymous restaurants in the Philippines, will be out on April 2, 2024.

Author and anthologist of immigrant food stories Jacqueline Chio-Lauri and award-winning New Yorker illustrator Kristin Sorra bring the historical tale to life for young and young-at-heart readers across the globe.  

Mami, a chicken noodle soup named after Ma and “mi” for noodles, and Ma Mon Luk restaurants have captured the hearts and appetite of Filipinos for many generations and from all walks of life. Besides a space for a meal, all sorts of occasions—from political negotiations to marriage proposals (including that of Sorra’s parents)—have taken place at a Ma Mon Luk eatery.

Set mostly in the Philippines, the tale highlights Filipino history and food culture and touches on many universal themes such as breaking class barriers, perseverance, and love.

Rejected by the parents of Ng Shih, the girl he loved, for being poor, Ma Mon Luk left China for the Philippines in 1918. He vowed to make a fortune and return for his beloved. In Manila, Ma created a chicken noodle soup he called mami—”ma” for his name and “mi” for noodles—and peddled it as a street vendor. He cut the noodles according to how much his customers were willing to pay or could afford. Eventually, Ma gained loyal customers. One of them offered him a space just big enough to hold two tables and a few diners. The appetite for mami spread among the rich and poor alike. Thanks to persistence, ingenuity, and a kind heart, Ma achieved more than he ever dreamed was possible. Before long, Ma earned enough to open his own restaurant and win the hand of his true love in China.   

Ma and Ng Shih had three sons and a daughter. After Ma’s death in 1961, their sons took over the restaurants. They expanded the business to six branches (all in the Philippines), and two of those branches are still open today ( both in Metro Manila).

Mami has become a big part of Filipino food culture. Although Ma is famous for mami, he is also remembered by many for his generosity and kindheartedness.

“With this story, I hope young readers from any part of the world will discern where true fortune really lies,” adds Chio-Lauri.

British children’s book author Emma Pearl describes the book as “an absolutely wonderful and inspiring story, beautifully illustrated… So much depth, so many layers! But at its core, this is fundamentally a story about the enduring power of love and how that helped Ma Mon Luk to achieve the impossible.”

The book includes a kid-friendly recipe, the history of Chinese immigration to the Philippines, and information about the simple machines that Ma Mon Luk had used as a street vendor.

“I’m very grateful to Executive Editor and Associate Publisher Carol Hinz and the team at Lerner Books for recognizing the universal appeal of MAMI KING,” says Chio-Lauri. 

Jacqueline Chio Lauri is an author, anthologist, and editor. Her work includes “The New Filipino Kitchen: Stories and Recipes from around the Globe,” and “We Cook Filipino: Heart-healthy Recipes and Inspiring Stories from 36 Filipino Food Personalities and Award-Winning Chefs.” She currently resides in Manchester, England.

Kristin Sorra is an award-winning children’s book illustrator. After earning her degree in Illustration from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NYC, Kristin co-owned a digital coloring house that catered to comic book publishers. She lives in New York’s Hudson Valley with her family.