When you think of Mexican food, the first things that come to mind are probably tacos, burritos, and quesadillas. But at this new Mexican restaurant in Singapore, you won’t find a single taco, burrito or any other of the “usual” Mexican fare you’re accustomed to seeing at other Mexican joints. Instead, you’ll find another kind of authentic Mexican street food, namely, tamales, and this is the only place in Singapore where you can get them.
Mami’s Tamales is the first-ever tamales specialty restaurant in Singapore, and possibly in the whole of Asia. If the name sounds familiar to you, that’s probably because Mami’s is opened in collaboration with the owner of Papi’s Tacos (Mami and Papi, duh). The idea for the restaurant came from the chef-owner’s desire to share other dishes from Mexican culture, especially the well-loved tamales, which is a popular street snack and also a comfort food that’s often made in Mexican households.
If you have no idea what a tamale is: they’re made from masa, a corn dough that consists of finely ground corn and mixed with various ingredients like meats, vegetables and even fruits to make it more filling and nutritious. The tamale mixture is then flattened and wrapped in corn husks and banana leaves before being steamed until tender. The entire process is quite painstaking, and takes a couple hours to make from scratch.
The tamales at Mami’s are all freshly-made in-house daily, and to make it a little more approachable for those who have never tried them, they’ve also made Asian-influenced tamales along with the classic Mexican-style tamales. Individual tamales start from $13 and are served in “dim sum” baskets, or you can go for a platter with your choice of 4 tamales for $58. Having never tried a single tamale before, we went into Mami’s with no idea what to expect in terms of taste.
Ayam Sambal Hijau, $14
Curry Tempeh, $16
Visually, the tamale comes wrapped just like our local otah, but taste and texture-wise, it’s like nothing we’ve ever had before. We’re told that tamales are best eaten hot, and they’ve got a slightly crumbly texture as you cut into it, reminiscent of mashed potatoes. Surprisingly, our favourite tamale is the Asian style Ayam Sambal Hijau ($14), which was stuffed with shredded chicken and topped with a green chilli sambal sauce that wasn’t too spicy. We like how the Asian flavours of the tamales aren’t in-your-face at all, but are more of a subtle nod so as to retain the authentic Mexican style.
Pork Salsa Verde, $18
Cheese & Pepper, $13
Sweet Tamal, $13
Coming a close second is the classic Mexican-style Pork Salsa Verde ($18) which was super flavourful and stuffed with chunks of tender pork. Definitely get this one if you’re looking to taste the original and most popular kind of tamale. They’ve even got a dessert tamale, the Sweet Tamal ($13) that’s drizzled with a homemade tequila-infused caramel sauce. The booziness from the tequila is quite subtle, so don’t be shy to ask for more if you like!
Tableside Molcajete of Guacamole & Chips, $26
Aside from tamales, one of our favourite menu items has got to be the Tableside Molcajete of Guacamole & Chips ($26), which was ordered by nearly every table in the restaurant. Unlike other spots that serve guacamole that’s already mixed, Mami’s guacamole is mixed to order right at your table. A trolley with perfectly ripe avocados and all the ingredients needed are brought to your table and you get to watch fresh guacamole being mashed. The difference freshly-made guacamole makes is quite apparent: and we thoroughly enjoyed the chunky bits of avocado that’s perfectly salted and with a zesty tang from the freshly-squeezed lime. Don’t forget to request for their “secret sauce”, a fiery habanero dip to spice up your food—but be careful, it packs a punch!
Mango Verde with Frozen Lime Margarita, $32
Hibiscus, Guava & Mint with Frozen Guava Margarita, $32
What’s a Mexican feast without some margaritas? Mami’s does excellent frozen margaritas, and you can get them topped with homemade fruit popsicles for extra flavour and freshness. The frozen margaritas are sufficiently boozy, and you can definitely taste the kick from the tequila. We recommend you eat the popsicles while they’re still frozen for the best experience. The next time you’re craving an authentic taste of Mexico, consider Mami’s for something new and unique, not to mention amazing hospitality and service. Mami’s Tamales is currently popping up along Keong Saik till October/September 2024, and will hopefully continue as a more permanent restaurant venture in future.
Taste: 7/10
Price: $$
Favourite dish(es): Tableside Molcajete of Guacamole & Chips, Ayam Sambal Hijau Tamale, Pork Salsa Verde Tamale
Would we come back: Definitely, especially for a fun girls/boys night out.
Mami’s Tamales
Address: 55 Keong Saik Rd., #01-02, Singapore 089158
Opening Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 12pm-2.30pm & 5pm-10pm; Friday-Saturday, 12pm-2.30pm & 5pm-11pm; Sunday, 12pm-2.30pm
