"Mami King, How Ma Mon Luk Found Love, Riches, and the Perfect Bowl of Soup” written by Jacqueline Chio-Lauri and illustrated by Kristin Sorra (Millbrook Press, April 2024) *(Photo by Claire Mercado-Obias)*

There are restaurants we frequent, many of them named after people. If we do some digging, we’ll find out these people are real with an uplifting story to tell. That’s exactly what Jacqueline Chio-Lauri discovered about Ma Mon Luk, the beloved Filipino restaurant known for its mami (noodle soup). A story so empowering, she turned it into a children’s book, Mami King, How Ma Mon Luk Found Love, Riches, and the Perfect Bowl of Soup. 

Jacqueline Chio-Lauri, who is based in the United Kingdom, is the author of “Mami King”. *(Photo courtesy of Jacqueline Chio-Lauri)*

Ma Mon Luk loved a girl, but her parents disapproved. In 1918, he set sail from Canton, China to Manila, Philippines to make a success of himself and prove he was a worthy match for their daughter. He peddled mami (“ma” for his name and “mi” for noodles) on the streets until his business grew into a lucrative restaurant. To this day, branches of Ma Mon Luk remain open with a loyal following. Where does this deep affection come from?

The old school signage of Ma Mon Luk Restaurant is a nod to its longevity and appeal across generations. *(Photo courtesy of Jacqueline Chio-Lauri)*

“I think it stemmed from Ma’s brilliant mix of culinary genius, marketing flair, charisma, and a big heart. He introduced a dish whose taste cuts across class, age, and heritage. The restaurant’s lack of air-conditioning, even on the hottest of days, doesn’t hinder people from coming in. Ma’s mami has also become the default taste by which bowls of mami soup are judged against,” says author Jacqueline.

“I came across Ma Mon Luk’s background in 2018. It’s a classic fairy tale but a true story. I thought it would make a wonderful Disney Pixar animation movie,” she exclaims.

A framed portrait of Ma Mon Luk remains on the wall of his restaurants. *(Photo courtesy of Jacqueline Chio-Lauri)*

“In 2020, I decided to write stories about overlooked characters,” she adds. While researching, she learned of the Ma Mon Luk experience, showing the kind of person he was, and why the restaurant is special among Filipinos. Like how Ma Mon Luk handed out donations to impoverished Espiridiona Bonifacio, a pioneer Katipunera, one of the first female members of the Confederation established by her older brother Andres Bonifacio to overthrow the Spanish government in the Philippines.

It was also said that Philippine President Elpidio Quirino was a customer and friend of Ma Mon Luk. After the 1953 election, when President Quirino lost to his Defense Secretary Ramon Magsaysay, many of the President’s allies deserted him. Ma Mon Luk, however, was seen visiting the defeated President, bearing food as gifts.

Jacqueline’s friends were quick to share that the restaurant has been part of their childhood, evoking fond memories and nice feelings, of celebrating milestones such as graduations or getting good grades. Even marriage proposals take place here, like that of former Education Secretary Alejandro Roces who asked Irene Viola to be his wife over a bowl of mami. Even the parents of Kristin Sorra, the book’s illustrator, got engaged here.

Kristin Sorra, who is based in New York’s Hudson Valley, is the illustrator of “Mami King”. (*Photo courtesy of Kristin Sorra)*

“My mom told me how special Ma Mon Luk was to her and my father. He passed away in 2015 and I imagine his absence made the book profoundly sentimental for her. When I showed her the book, she loved it! Reaching the end, she was surprised to see their honeymoon photo,” exclaims Kristin. The photo is her way of honoring her parents.

Kristin was born in the U.S. and growing up, she never read a children’s book set in the Philippines. She says, “When I was asked to illustrate this book, I was so excited! I felt a responsibility to deliver authenticity for Filipinos and for those just beginning to understand our culture. But even for me, I learned so much about the Philippines’ rich history. More published books by and about Filipinos can only bring interesting ideas, authentic points of view, and understanding.

Illustrator Kristin Sorra with her parents, Manuel and Corazon Sorra. Ma Mon Luk was her parents’ favorite restaurant and it was here where they got engaged. *(Photo courtesy of Kristin Sorra)*

“This will have a positive impact on young readers, particularly those who’ve felt overlooked for so long. It feels good to be seen and heard! I grew up learning to blend in but always felt like an ‘other’ amongst my classmates, because what I read or saw on TV looked different from me. I am witnessing this change with many of my peers celebrating Filipino stories they’ve written or illustrated. This young generation can only benefit from a sense of inclusivity and empowerment, especially with their many challenges in the modern world. It’s wonderful to see more facets of Filipino heritage, especially in children’s books in the U.S. and around the world.”

Kristin, who has won numerous awards for her work, also created the illustrated biographies of President Barack Obama and U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell for Little Golden Books. “A stylized depiction of the person,” is how she describes her portraiture style. “In drawing Obama and Powell, I had photos and lived experience from seeing them in the media. I didn’t have a ton of reference for Ma Mon Luk. In drawing him, I looked for his most prominent features, his forehead and warm smile,” she details.

The initial sketches of “Mami King” by Illustrator Kristin Sorra. *(Photo courtesy of Kristin Sorra)*

The earthy colors throughout the book deliver coziness, just like a bowl of mami. “The color choices I made were purely instinctual. When I first visited the Philippines at eight years old, the heat and humidity were intense, like nothing I experienced before. The warmth in the book intensifies as the story progresses, as Ma’s journey brings him closer to reuniting with his love,” Kristin explains.

Jacqueline, on the other hand, was born in the Philippines and found a new home abroad. She says, “My journey as an immigrant started in pursuit of a career followed by a pursuit of love. It has taken me from Kuala Lumpur, Dubai (where I met my husband), then to Norway, Croatia, Portugal, back to Norway, then to the United Kingdom, where we now live with our son,” says Jacqueline.

Author Jacqueline Chio-Lauri as a baby with her father, Jose Chio. She admits, “I think part of my fascination with Ma Mon Luk’s story is because I am a daughter of a Chinese immigrant in the Philippines like him. My father, who I didn’t get a chance to know, passed away when I was very little.” *(Photo courtesy of Jacqueline Chio-Lauri)*

Being away from the Philippines only encouraged her to document the culinary stories of fellow Filipinos. While Mami King is her first children’s book, Jacqueline is also the author of The New Filipino Kitchen, Stories and Recipes from Around the Globe (Agate Publishing, September 2018) and We Cook Filipino, Heart-Healthy Recipes and Inspiring Stories from 36 Filipino Food Personalities and Award-Winning Chefs (Tuttle Publishing, October 2023).

“I always found either a dire lack of representation or gross misrepresentation of Filipinos and Filipino food in almost every country I lived. I wanted to change that by bringing forward the stories and recipes of our kababayans (compatrios). The most common themes include longing to connect with one’s roots through food, and food as an expression of love,” adds Jacqueline.

“Ma Mon Luk loved a girl, but her parents disapproved. In 1918, he set sail from Canton, China to Manila, Philippines to make a success of himself and prove he was a worthy match for their daughter.”

Carol Hinz, associate publisher of Millbrook Press, and editor of Mami King, says, “I love books that transport U.S. readers to another part of the world. Ma Mon Luk’s story really drew me into his life and Manila’s bustling Chinatown more than 100 years ago. Ma’s persistence and determination tie in wonderfully with social and emotional learning or SEL, which has been getting a lot of attention from educators. It’s tremendously meaningful for young people to encounter authentically told true stories about people from all walks of life and who they can form a real connection with. I want readers to see that finding success can take many paths and that it’s not only people we’ve already heard of whose stories deserve to be told.”

Mami King is an expedition back in time to a faraway land. There is a hero who overcomes adversity. It’s a story of love, and there is a recipe. It’s as if Ma Mon Luk himself offers advice about life and business as he ladles soup into your bowl. It fills you up, leaving you warm and satisfied. Just how chicken noodle soup is supposed to make you feel.

“When what you do is fueled by love, you’ll most likely see it through no matter the obstacles that stand in your way. Hence, love is the greatest fortune of all,” concludes Jacqueline.