Momo Mee

I've been looking for the absolute best place for ramen in Wisconsin... Alright, alright, alright. I finally went to Momo Mee.

This is one of those restaurants that I had heard about so many damn times that eventually I had no choice but to see what all the hype was about, and I'm glad I did.

This little spot in Walker's Point absolutely throws down when it comes to noodles and dumplings but there was one dish in particular that stole the entire meal for me. And honestly, I'm still thinking about it.

The Lowdown

• Address: 110 East Greenfield Ave., Milwaukee, WI - Walker's Point Neighborhood
• Bang-for-your-buck: Prices are mid-range but portions are legit
• Vibe check: Casual, lively and food-focused
• Perfect for: Casual date night or sharing a bunch of plates between friends

Ambiance

First thing you need to know about Momo Mee: the space can get tight.

You walk in and there's a bar and some seating to the left and then more tables straight ahead. It honestly wouldn't be too cramped if it weren't for the fact they have so many customers. Definitely not the worst problem a restaurant can have.

Luckily, our group of four got there around 4:30 PM and were seated without really waiting. But by 5 PM? The place was absolutely packed.

Keep in mind: You're not there for personal space, you're there for damn good food.

What I ordered (and my honest thoughts)

Appetizers

• Szechuan spicy wontons - $15
• Pan-seared potstickers - $15

Szechuan spicy wontons

These wontons were so damn good, but the sauce was what really did it for me. They come tossed in this amazing Szechuan chili oil and peppercorn sauce. It was spicy. Savory. A little numbing from the Szechuan peppercorns. I could've eaten just the sauce with a spoon.

Pan-seared potstickers

This is where I'm going to disagree with some of the Momo Mee hype. They weren't bad. Not even close. But I expected more.

They were massive and looked incredible, but the flavor just didn't hit the way I wanted it to. Part of that might be because I love potstickers, so I'm probably harder on them than the average person. They were also much more meat-heavy than I expected, with less of that doughy, crispy wrapper situation that I personally love. Again, not bad. Just not my favorite thing we ate.

Entrees

• Dan Dan noodles with chicken - $18
• Miso ramen (extra spicy) - $19

Dan Dan noodles

These noodles were amazing. The spice was right where I wanted it and the noodles had a great texture. The chicken, spicy bean paste, sesame paste, scallions, cilantro and Szechuan peppercorns all worked great together. It was one of those dishes where every bite gives you something different. I told myself I wasn't going to finish the whole thing, then ate roughly 95% of it.

Miso ramen

My wife's ramen was also really good. The ramen already has some heat to it and she asked for it extra spicy (brave). When I tell you that shit was spicy, I'm not joking. But underneath all that heat, the broth, noodles and pork were still fantastic.

I still haven't found my favorite ramen in Wisconsin, so I'm probably not ready to crown Momo Mee for that category. But the Dan Dan noodles? Those can get a trophy.

What we ordered didn't even scratch the surface of offerings on the Momo Mee menu. There are multiple kinds of dumplings, ramen, rice dishes, clay pots and noodle dishes. This is very much a place where I'd recommend going with a group and sharing a bunch of dishes for the table.

Overall impression

Momo Mee is a perfect example of why I hear about some restaurants over and over again. The place isn't huge. It's not fancy. And the reputation online is honestly a little mixed when it comes to the speed and consistency of service.

But the food? That's where the consensus gets a lot stronger. People love the dumplings and noodles, especially the soup dumplings. For me, the Dan Dan noodles were the winner. The Szechuan wontons were right behind them.

And while I wasn't blown away by the potstickers, the overall meal absolutely lived up to the recommendation. So if you've somehow made it this far without trying Momo Mee, go. Just don't show up at 5 PM expecting to casually walk in and grab a table.

What you need to know (the a la carte version)

• Get there early if you don't want to wait. Momo Mee currently accepts reservations for parties up to eight, and walk-ins are also welcome.
• The soup dumplings are the restaurant's signature item. Momo Mee calls their Xiao Long Bao famous, and they're made fresh daily (never frozen) with hot broth inside. They're limited and dine-in only.
• Seriously, try the Dan Dan noodles. This was my favorite entree of the night.
• Come hungry. The portions are substantial, especially for the noodle dishes. My Dan Dan noodles were enough to leave me completely stuffed.
• Expect a casual, tight dining room. Momo Mee is intentionally more intimate than spacious with small tables in a busy atmosphere.
• Prices are mid-range. When I visited, noodle dishes were roughly $18 to $25 and appetizers were around $10 to $20. The restaurant also currently advertises a $13 weekday lunch special from 11 AM to 2 PM.
• Parking is easier than you might expect. Momo Mee shares a lot with Cermak Market and nearby businesses, with free parking for up to two hours.
• The restaurant is currently open Monday through Saturday from 11 AM to 10 PM and Sunday from noon to 8 PM. The kitchen closes 30 minutes before the restaurant.