Noodle Journey Episode 23: Mama Pa-Lo Duck Noodles

In this review, I finally dive into the Mama brand, which has a massive online following thanks to its affordability and wide flavor variety. I’ve never tried any of their products until now, so I’m starting with the Pa-Lo Duck flavor, which was the most interesting flavor I noticed at my local Asian market. From what I was able to deduce in my research, this is inspired by a Thai stew called Kai Pa-Lo, traditionally made with braised pork and egg and seasoned with Chinese five spice. I couldn’t find much information about a duck variant, so I assume this is a vegan interpretation that blends artificial duck flavor with traditional five spice elements.

I picked up this pack for just 59 cents at my local Asian grocery store at the time of this review. It’s definitely snack-sized, but for the price, that’s expected. Mama confirmed on Reddit that all of their flavors are vegan except the shrimp Tom Yum, which makes this a good choice for vegan consumers despite the duck-themed labeling. Sodium comes in at 1350 mg per pack, which seems low until you factor in the small portion size. The ingredients list is pretty barebones and doesn’t say much about what specific spices are used, but it does include a double-sided powder packet (one labeled chili), a thin block of delicate noodles, and a small packet of oily seasoning that feels like artificial fat.

Noodles:
These are extremely thin and arrived pretty broken in the packaging, which lowered my expectations. But once cooked, they turned out firm and pleasantly chewy. For a budget product this small and inexpensive, the noodle texture holds up remarkably well. I usually like thicker noodles, but this one performs admirably in boiling water without turning to mush.

• 7.5/10

Spiciness:
The chili powder packet adds a light, tingly heat that stays on the mild side. You can easily adjust the level by omitting or partially using the packet. Even with the full packet, it’s a small burn. It’s noticeable, but not overwhelming.

• 2.5/10

Overall:
This tastes like a spicy five spice garlic-onion broth, and I really enjoyed how well those flavors worked together. The garlic is one of the most prominent elements, coming from that artificial seasoning liquid that smells like a vegan take on garlic butter or rendered duck fat. The broth also includes bits of green onion and some onion flavor in the background, with the five spice adding warmth and depth without becoming overpowering. If you’re unfamiliar with five spice, it includes things like star anise, cloves, and cinnamon, so it can be intense in higher quantities. Here, though, it’s balanced nicely with the garlic and chili. I can’t say how close this comes to real duck soup since I’ve never had it, but this tastes incredibly rich and layered for a pack that costs less than a dollar.

• 8.5/10

This is a great little snack-sized noodle that delivers far more flavor than its price would suggest. If you like garlic, onion, and warm spices, you’ll probably enjoy it. And if you’ve never had five spice before, this is a great way to find out if you’re a fan or not. I’ll definitely be picking up more Mama varieties the next time I hit the Asian market.