AsiaLIFE

One of the many ‘no name’ restaurants and cafés that dot the lakeside drag, Mama’s rises above most for its tasty cuisine and smiley service.

Located next to the ever-popular Magic Sponge Bar and just in front of the alley that leads to Number 9 Guesthouse, this small café is a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it plastic chair affair. The unofficial but widely used name refers to the pleasant Vietnamese woman who used to run the café, though her equally agreeable offspring have now taken over the reins. As the Vietnamese connection would suggest, drip percolated caffeine heart starters are on offer – iced or hot, with or without sweet milk – for less than US$0.50. They certainly do the trick.

Simple sandwiches of paté, cheese (‘Laughing Cow’) and other favourites are mostly under US$2. They are much cleaner than other nearby establishments. The tomato soup is another good pick at US$1.50, especially as it is made from scratch using fresh tomatoes combined with egg, herbs, chives and onion. The wholesome soup is served piping hot with a toasted, buttered baguette. Stir-fries and (instant) noodle soups are also popular and cheap. Croissants and pan au chocolat are slightly more shaky, though still good value. Just be sure to ask how fresh they are – the staff will be truthful, even if they lose a sale. The homemade banana cake is a better bet for pudding. It’s sweet and stodgy enough to sate even the most ravenous of backpackers.

The day’s newspapers are provided for those too tight to buy their own. Past issues are available for the more out of touch, providing they haven’t been pilfered by customers. Mama’s is a good choice for breakfast, elevenses or lunch if you can bear the descent into Lakeside’s filth-stricken strip.

Mama’s Café, Lakeside (Street 93)