Large Format Chicken and Lamb over Rice at Ma Peche (food)

There are some things that restaurants in the Momofuku empire tend to do better than others. One of them is the large format feast, the largest of which is the chicken and lamb over rice offered at Ma Peche. You can order the chicken or lamb group meals separately, but if you get them together it's cheaper while having the same amount of food. Unlike the other often-cramped Momofuku restaurants, there is a large table at Ma Peche that seats up to 14 that is perfect for this huge feast. However, I don't know if the recent passed plates/dim sum rollout has affected the seating for the large format meal.

TWO WHOLE FRIED CHICKENS AND A SMOKED LAMB SHOULDER
The main proteins presented whole. By the way, for better pictures check out my friend Katie's post over at www.donuts4dinner.com.


They confit, smoke and then roast the lamb shoulder, while the chicken is poached and then deep fried with spices and herbs. While the lamb was the more deeply flavorful of the two, I thought the chicken stood out to me as being more unique. There was a slickness of grease on the surface from the frying, but underneath that was very tender and flavorful chicken, highlighted by the slightly sweet sauce and spices.

PICKLES, CHUTNEY AND SAUCES
Pickles are a very Momofuku thing, and they were the perfect accompaniment to help cut the fat.


ICEBERG LETTUCE SALAD WITH CHICKEN SKIN CROUTONS
CUCUMBERS WITH WHEAT BERRY
Salads, especially those made with iceberg lettuce, are often just filler. That was not the case here as both salads managed to be refreshing, flavorful, and add a nice crunchy texture to the rest of the meal.


CHICKPEAS
EGGPLANT
Both of these were bursting with flavor, and were our favorite side dishes. In fact, we asked for seconds of each. However, we did not know that only the pita bread came with free refills, and these extra sides were in fact $12-14 each.


CURRY RICE
PITA BREAD
The curry rice was rather disappointing as I found it very dry. The pita bread, on the other hand, was some of the best and fluffiest I've ever had.

Everything together on one plate, which is as it should be. While there were so many different tastes and textures going on, it all somehow came together, much like the food from the halal carts that inspired this meal. Even the dry curry rice was fine when mixed with all the available sauces.

Overall, this was a great large format meal and among the cheapest out there when you break down the cost per person. It was very representative of the type of food served at Momofuku restaurants in how it elevated and enlivened comfort food. The seating was comfortable and there was plenty of room for our large group. Service was excellent and friendly. In fact, when the check came and I told them that they never notified us of the cost of the extra sides when we ordered them, they took the extra step to take them off the final bill.

Ma Peche
Chambers Hotel (separate entrance, you go into the milk bar first)
15 W 56th St
Manhattan, NY