Mama Li’s Third Opened in Canary Wharf
Authentic Hong Kong Siu Mei has arrived at Wood Wharf – Canary Wharf’s newest district
Mama Li officially opened its third London restaurant in Canary Wharf’s newest district, Wood Wharf – bringing Hong Kong–style Siu Mei to E14.
Located at 3 Rivington Walk, the new site marks a thoughtful evolution of the brand, introducing a more considered dine-in experience alongside the signature Cantonese roast meats Mama Li is known for.
Founded by Catherine Hua and her mother, Mama Li began as a deeply personal project. After struggling to find Cantonese roast meats in London that tasted like the food they grew up eating, the pair set out to recreate those familiar flavours using treasured family recipes. What started as a way to preserve a sense of home has since grown into a restaurant group rooted in comfort, generosity and everyday Cantonese cooking.
Siu Mei – Hong Kong’s iconic roasted meats – remain at the heart of the menu. At Canary Wharf, Mama Li proudly continues this tradition, preparing its signature roasts using authentic Cantonese techniques, including a charcoal-fired roast duck oven that delivers unmistakable depth of flavour. Guests can choose from four signature roasts – crispy pork, BBQ pork, soy chicken and roasted duck – served with rice and seasonal vegetables, selecting one, two or three meats and personalising their plate with additions such as fried egg or house chilli.
Alongside these familiar dishes, the Canary Wharf menu will introduce a wider range of soup noodle dishes, including roast duck lai fun (燒鴨瀨粉) and wonton noodle soup (雲吞麵), which reflects how Cantonese food is eaten day to day. A selection of nostalgic cha chaan teng favourites will also feature. These dishes are rooted in Hong Kong café culture and everyday comfort and include bolo bao with butter (菠蘿油), and golden scrambled egg with char siu and rice (叉燒滑蛋飯).
Expanding on Mama Li’s earlier express-led sites, the Canary Wharf location balances a dedicated dine-in space with a continued grab-and-go offering for busy lunch hours and guests looking for a quick, comforting meal. Over half of the restaurant is dedicated to seating, encouraging those who wish to stay longer to do so, while maintaining the speed and ease that existing customers expect.
The restaurant has been designed in close collaboration with award-winning interior architects Macaulay Sinclair, with the shared aim of creating a space that feels warm, welcoming and lived-in.
Influenced by Hong Kong cha chaan tengs — traditional cafés known for their comforting,
informal atmosphere — the interior blends nostalgic references with modern functionality. Subtle nods to Hong Kong café culture sit alongside practical design solutions for a busy Canary Wharf setting, creating a space that works equally well for quick lunches and relaxed evening meals.
In place of bubble tea, Mama Li Canary Wharf will introduce a new range of tea-based cocktails, developed in-house to pair specifically with Cantonese roast meats. Built around fragrant teas such as jasmine and assam tea, the drinks offer a lighter, more thoughtful way to drink alongside the food, while nodding to the tea culture that underpins Cantonese dining.
Catherine, founder of Mama Li, says:
“With this opening, it was important to us that we stayed true to the food our customers already love, while giving ourselves room to show more of how Cantonese food is really eaten. The new dishes, and the space itself, reflect the everyday meals I grew up with – comforting, familiar and designed to be shared with loved ones around the table, but just as comforting when enjoyed on your own.”
Mama Li Canary Wharf continues the brand’s original intention: to serve food that feels like home. Every dish is prepared with care, rooted in family tradition, and shared in a space designed to make everyone feel welcome.
