Winter Warmers Part I: Malatang

Feeling the chills this winter? Why not warm up with a steaming hot bowl of malatang? If you’re not yet familiar with malatang, it’s a dish that hails from Sichuan in China and its name translates literally to “spicy numbing hot soup”. Diners pick their own ingredients which are then cooked and served up in a hearty bowl of broth, along with some dipping sauce on the side. Traditionally made with Sichuan pepper and dried chillies, plus a whole host of other aromatics, the soup has a deliciously complex flavour that is sure to heat up your tongue and insides, making it perfect for winter. If you’re not a fan of spicy food though, don’t worry – you can opt to have your malatang with a non-spicy broth instead!

The ordering process for malatang might seem a bit daunting if you haven’t tried it before, but it’s as easy as 1, 2, 3.

1 – Choose your ingredients. 1 – Choose your ingredients.

1 – Choose your ingredients.

Grab a bowl and a pair of tongs and help yourself to whatever ingredients take your fancy in the
open fridges. Take your pick from various types of meat, seafood, vegetables, and noodles, plus much more. There are ingredients for the more adventurous too, such as tripe, blood pudding, and
meatballs filled with fish roe, to name just a few.

2 – Have your ingredients weighed. 2 – Have your ingredients weighed.

2 – Have your ingredients weighed.

Take your bowl to the counter where staff will weigh the contents and calculate the price of your dish. Bear in mind that malatang restaurants usually have a minimum weight requirement, for example 400 grams.

3 – Pick your soup and how spicy you want it. 3 – Pick your soup and how spicy you want it.

3 – Pick your soup and how spicy you want it.

All of our malatang restaurants have options ranging from non-spicy right up to extra hot, so there’s something to suit every taste, no matter how hot (or not) you like it!

Bonus – Condiments station Bonus – Condiments station

Bonus – Condiments station

While you wait for your food, don’t forget to help yourself to some dipping sauces at the condiment station. These include flavoursome things like soy sauce and sesame oil, plus garnishes like spring onions and coriander to add some extra aroma.

Wondering which malatang restaurant to hit up? There are several malatang places to explore, all of which serve up a classic bowl of malatang but also have their own special offerings.

For some unique, non-spicy soup options, check out Zhangliang Malatang. Their tomato soup is a tangy, wholesome affair while their mushroom soup is an earthy, umami hit. For a more luxurious treat, try their creamy fish with chicken soup.

If you love turning up the heat, David’s Noodle and Hotpot will be right up your alley. Besides their classic soupy malatang, they also serve up a version called “spicy dry pot”. This variation of malatang comes without soup, so your chosen ingredients are stir-fried directly with the Sichuan pepper and dried chilli, resulting in a flavour that’s more intense and packs a real punch!

Last but not least, if you’re after a vegetarian option, head to Love Malatang for their vegetarian soup base. Their open fridge also boasts a wide range of tofu ingredients plus more than 15 vegetable options.