Tirion Boan
Audio By Carbonatix
Most people pulling into the parking lot off Glendale and 43rd avenues are heading to the gym. The large strip mall shopping center is anchored by a modern, new EoS Fitness. But those in the know may be heading for a more delicious destination.
Hidden among the selection of small businesses next to the fitness center, Niu Mama Kitchens opened in August. The colorful and compact food hall is home to five different food vendors.
Walk through the door and you’re greeted by a large welcome sign hanging overhead and Saito’s Express, a counter that focuses on hibachi. Walk down the brick-lined hall, past plenty of seating, to the heart of Niu Mama, where four more food and drink counters vie for attention.
Bright neon signs shout the names of the businesses. Floor-to-ceiling printed photos show Asian night markets bustling with people. Tables and booths await hungry customers.
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Niu Mama Kitchens is home to five different food and drink vendors. 
Niu Mama Kitchens has a bright, fun dining area. 
The Korean Fried Chicken bowl from K-Bap Kitchen is crunchy, sticky, sweet and savory all at the same time. 
The new Glendale food hall was inspired by Asian night markets. 
Pan-fried dumplings from Lao Ma are joined together with a crispy skirt.
On the right side of the room, Sumo Snow is a great place to start or end your adventure. The counter serves drinks and desserts and we picked up a creamy Vietnamese iced coffee and a sweet Aloha Refresher filled with fresh strawberries and passionfruit to sip while we strolled around.
Next, we stopped by Lao Ma, a stand that specializes in dumplings. We ordered the Special Pan Fried Xiao Long Bao, and a dozen, steamed dumplings filled with teriyaki chicken.
Everything is served in takeout containers, and eight, plump, pan-fried dumplings are wedged into a square container. A thin, circular crust joins each dumpling together in a crackly skirt. Snap the crispy crust and dig in to the neat parcels with a thick dough wrapping and savory filling.
The steamed dumplings have a thinner skin, but are still satisfyingly chewy. The teriyaki filling brings a hint of sweetness, perfect to pair with a drizzle of spicy garlic oil. These dumplings can also be filled with beef, pork or shrimp.
Tirion Boan
Next, we swung by K-Bap Kitchen, a stall selling Korean fried chicken and fusion dishes including tacos and Korean elote with kimchi mayo. We settled on the Korean fried chicken bowl, which starts with white rice and is topped with a hearty portion of fried and sauced chicken and finished with a runny egg. The chicken has a serious crust that maintains its crunch despite the sticky, sweet sauce.
We ended our feast with a stop at Pho Mama. This stand serves the Vietnamese noodle soup with meatballs, brisket, short rib or a combo. A large bowl fills a tray, accompanied by a plastic-wrapped bundle of fresh mint, cilantro, sliced jalapeno and limes. Add the toppings and a swirl of Sriracha for a steamy, warming bowl of comfort perfect for a chilly day.
Tirion Boan
The new Asian night market-inspired food hall brings something new to the West Valley. The owners plan to formally introduce Niu Mama to the community with a grand opening celebration with live music and giveaways starting at 10:30a.m. on Oct. 25.
Maybe because of its slightly hidden location, or potentially just due to its new-ness, Niu Mama was quiet on our Friday evening visit. We tucked into our dumplings and slurped our soup as workers chatted to each other and played on their phones.
With its glowing neon, wide selection of food options and plenty of seating, Niu Mama is set up to feed a crowd. Now, it just needs those customers to skip the gym and make their way in.
Niu Mama Kitchens
4339 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale
