In the ever-evolving culinary landscape of San Francisco, another food drama is unfolding at the Ikea-owned Saluhall. Momo Noodle, a beloved local food truck turned restaurant, is packing up its woks and bidding farewell to the trendy food court, citing restrictive meat policies that just couldn’t handle their spicy Sichuan game.

The Great Pork Belly Controversy

June Guo, Momo’s co-founder, didn’t mince words about the breakup. The food hall’s rigid vegan-leaning restrictions meant saying goodbye to their star menu item - a mouthwatering rice-wine pork belly dish that was apparently too meaty for Saluhall’s curated culinary vision. “We were required to keep a meat to veg ratio on our menu,” Guo explained, rolling her eyes at the bureaucratic food policing.

From Food Hall to Financial District

Instead of compromising their culinary identity, Momo is taking its talents to a new takeout location in the Financial District. The move isn’t just about menu freedom - it’s also strategic. With more companies enforcing return-to-office mandates, their new spot near Salesforce Park is already seeing increased foot traffic.

A Broader Trend?

Momo isn’t alone in this meat-versus-plant showdown. Even the Michelin-starred Eleven Madison Park in New York recently abandoned its vegan-only menu, proving that sometimes, diners just want their protein. Saluhall claims they’re all about “balance,” but it seems their version of balance looks more like a strict dietary regime than a true culinary melting pot.

Guo remains optimistic, declaring, “We’re thrilled to be part of San Francisco’s revitalization, especially downtown”. Looks like this noodle joint isn’t just serving up delicious dishes - they’re serving corporate food culture a spicy reality check.