As of: February 17, 2024, 7:03 a.m
By: Regina Mittermeier
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Yina Xu has opened Uncle Chen - her third restaurant in Maxvorstadt.
© Markus Götzfried
When Yina Xu Mamma Bao opened in Munich in 2022, there was soon a hype surrounding the noodle restaurant.
Your new project - also in Maxvorstadt - is called Uncle Chen.
Baozi are the stars here.
Munich – Anyone who comes into Uncle Chen through the glass door and a gray curtain can't help it.
All the walls are white - except one.
Wallpapered with red, blue and white posters, it literally draws you in.
There are sayings on it like “Will we be your new favorite Bao dealer?”
Bao are steamed buns from Chinese cuisine.
Mamma Bao: Noodle hype is taking over Munich
It remains to be seen whether the restaurant on the corner of Heßstrasse and Augustenstrasse (Maxvorstadt) will become the new hotspot for this, as formulated in English in the question.
Boss Yina Xu (26) only opened it in January.
But maybe it will trigger further hype - like with Mamma Bao.
Queuing on Augustenstrasse: Guests often need patience for the noodles at Mamma Bao.
© Regina Mittermeier
In December 2022 she started with Mamma Bao (Augustenstrasse).
Some Munich residents are familiar with the long queues in front of the restaurant with its simple, bright interior.
Many younger people in particular are waiting for a table despite the freezing cold.
“I didn’t expect that,” says Yina.
Yina Xu's recipe for success: authentic Chinese dishes
The classic in Mamma Bao: Biang Biang, i.e. wide noodles that are traditionally pulled by hand.
You can see how this happens thanks to the open kitchen.
A bowl costs 10.50 to 15.50 euros.
The three levels of spiciness range from mild to Asian spicy - i.e. really hot.
On the left a bao bun, on the right a bowl of biang biang noodles.
Yina Xu loves the classic version with garlic.
© Markus Götzfried
The Bao Buns for 7.90 euros are also popular.
Baos are formed into burger pockets and filled with vegetables, tofu or meat.
Yina believes her concept is partly responsible for the hype.
“It’s a mix of authentic Chinese cuisine and stylish furnishings.”
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Uncle Chen in Munich: Yeast dumplings are the stars
And because the branch on Augustenstrasse is doing well, she not only opened another one on Adalbertstrasse in November, but also tried something new with Uncle Chen.
You can also look into the open kitchen through the colorful billboard.
And there are also pasta dishes on the clearly laid out menu.
The Uncle Chen on the corner of Heßstrasse and Augustenstrasse - in the middle of Munich's Maxvorstadt.
© Markus Götzfried
My cousin, who runs restaurants in Vienna, showed me: You can also organize yourself better and more efficiently.
Yina Xu
But the stars are handmade baozi: yeast dough dumplings, meaty, vegetarian or sweet filled, for 4.20 euros each.
“In China they are a substitute for bread rolls,” explains Yina Xu.
You get one or two in your hand in the morning.
This is what the baozi served at Uncle Chen look like.
© Markus Götzfried
Bao-what?
Reporter Regina Mittermeier tests the Chinese yeast dough dumplings
The sight is reminiscent of a steamed noodle - if it weren't for the bright red Chinese character stamped on it.
“This is the symbol for pork,” explains Yina Xu.
She serves the warm baozi in a bamboo basket and you eat them by hand.
The first bite of my first baozi feels very soft.
It consists almost exclusively of the fluffy yeast casing and some meat juice.
From the second bite I taste dough and spicy pieces of meat.
The steamed bread is a delicious snack.
But my favorite remains the steamed dumpling.
She cares about the quality of her food.
She is a gastronomic child.
Growing up in Vienna, she later often helped out in her parents' restaurant in Landsberg am Lech.
She studied TUM business administration in Munich and for a long time it was clear to her that she didn't want to work long shifts every day in her own restaurant.
Maxvorstadt: Gastronomy is in transition
“My cousin, who runs restaurants in Vienna, showed me that you can organize yourself better and more efficiently.” Now Yina leads a 60-person team.
“I can rely on that,” she says.
Also there: mom Jing Chen (50).
And Yina's dad also helps out, just in the background.
This is what a Bao Bun from Mamma Bao looks like, here with meat filling.
© Markus Götzfried
The Maxvorstadt gastronomy scene has been changing for several years.
The traditional restaurants Alter Simpl and Atzinger, for example, are about to make a comeback, but had to close at the end of December.
Modern, even exotic cuisine is in vogue, also because of the many students.
Mamma Bao and Uncle Chen fit the bill.
But Yina wants to reach everyone.
Younger and older, Chinese and Munich residents.
Everyone should come together.
Just like the family at home with mom or uncle.