The Best Spots for Mala in Singapore Where I Almost Burnt My Tongue!
Mala is a spicy seasoning made from Sichuan peppercorn and chili, and it’s used in so many dishes—from noodle dishes to hot pots. This seasoning used to scare me because it was so spicy that my mouth became numb!
But after consuming many mala dishes (and feeling like I was going to die every time) throughout the years, I improved my spice tolerance. Now I actually crave mala dishes every now and then!
Here are my go-tos when I need to satisfy that craving.
Yang Guo Fu Mala Tang
— From: yangguofu.sg
Address: 68 Orchard Rd, #B2-52/54 Plaza Singapura
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11 am to 10 pm
Located on Orchard Road, Yang Guo Fu specializes in mala tang, another name for mala soup. Mala tang is a Chinese staple, and it’s one of my favorite things to eat when it’s raining outside. That’s why I love coming here during monsoon season.
What I like about the mala tang here is they use chili flakes instead of whole pieces of dried red chili. I appreciate this because I don’t like biting into dried red chili that instantly sets my mount on fire.
Additionally, I like that the broth has a strong tangy taste because it complements well with the spice. The beef pieces are also tender, and the rice noodles have a lovely spring to them.
Pro Tip:
- If you don’t think you can handle spicy things, you can tell the staff to lower the heat level of your order.
Green on Earth Vegetarian Cafe
— From: greenonearthsg
Address: 386 Upper Bukit Timah Rd
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +6567692230
If you’re a vegetarian who loves spicy things, then Green on Earth Vegetarian Cafe is a must-visit. This vegetarian restaurant is located near the Rail Corridor, which is why I usually come here when I’m on a hike.
The mala xiang guo (a stir-fried dish) is probably the bestseller here. It’s very spicy—so spicy that you can feel your tongue tingling and your sweat glands overworking! But other than that, this dish has an interesting texture because of all the nuts and radishes.
You’re free to adjust the spice level if you’re intimated. You can even make it non-spicy if you want.
Pro Tip:
- This restaurant gets super busy during lunchtime and dinner time (around 7 to 9 pm). I recommend avoiding these hours.
Xiao Yan Zi Tomato Hotpot
— From: junnbinn
Address: 6 Eu Tong Sen St, #03-87 Clarke Quay Central
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11 am to 12 am
Contact Number: +6562215550
“Anytime is hot pot o’clock” is what I always love to say to my friends, and whenever this craving strikes, Xiao Yan Zi Tomato Hotpot is one of my go-to choices.
Located in Clarke Quay, this hot pot restaurant is best known for its tangy and slightly sweet tomato broth. But for me, the best broth is the mala broth because it packs quite the punch. As for my toppings, I go for the marbled beef short ribs, fish filets, and meatballs.
Pro Tips:
- To ensure your spot, book your reservation in advance.
- If you’re interested in hosting a party or an intimate dinner with loved ones, you can send an inquiry via email ([email protected]).
Labula Mala Xiang Guo
— From: worthyourcalories_
Address: 822 Tampines Street 81
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—10:30 am to 4:30 am
Contact Number: +6591230088
Labula Mala Xiang Guo is one of the most popular mala restaurants in Singapore. It has several outlets in the country, and my favorite is the one in Tampines.
I love that there are many mala options here. One of my go-to orders is the hot and sour rice noodles. The sour and spicy flavors make me pucker my face in the best way!
To kill the heat, I end my meal with a dessert, like the brown sugar ciba (sticky rice cake).
Pro Tip:
- If you’re thinking about holding a special dinner with loved ones, book in advance via phone.
Dajie Makan Place
— From: dajiemakanplace
Address: 354 Clementi Ave 2, #01-253
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—10 am to 9:30 pm
Contact Number: +6567742030
Are you looking for a halal restaurant that serves quality mala dishes? Then you should check out Dajie Makan Place.
The mala hotpot here is delightful. The broth is rich and aromatic, and I love it isn’t just spicy; it’s also herby and earthy. To make the most of the broth, I dump all my favorite toppings into it, such as fresh vegetables and a wide array of meats, seafood, and tofu.
Pro Tip:
- This restaurant is busy around 6 to 7 pm, so I recommend coming here earlier than that.
Jia Xiang Mala Hotpot Mala Tang
— From: jx_malatang
Address: 238 Thomson Rd, #02-26/27 Velocity @ Novena
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11 am to 9:30 pm
Contact Number: +6584974694
If you’re in the Balestier area, you might want to check out Jia Xiang Mala Hotpot, which is located inside Velocity at Novena Square.
Order the mala hotpot, and enjoy the aromatic broth packed with mala seasoning. It’s also loaded with tender meat and your favorite vegetables. To make the hotpot more interesting, I recommend adding skewers like the lobster balls and pork belly.
Pro Tip:
- The best time to visit this restaurant is during the afternoon because that’s when it’s the least crowded.
Zhang Liang Mala Tang
— From: zhangliang_sg
Address: 3 Pickering St, Cross Street Exchange
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday—11 am to 10 pm
- Sunday—11:30 am to 9 pm
Contact Number: +6569707516
What I like about Zhang Liang Mala Tang is that there are so many topping selections. So when it comes to building my own bowl, I’m always like a child being set free in a candy store. I just scoop up everything I see!
Of course, my soup base is mala tang, which is the extremely spicy option. The broth is rich and spicy, though it can be a little greasy at times. To balance out the heat and greasiness, I fill my bowl with lots of greens, tofu, noodles, and radishes.
Pro Tip:
- If you want to make the hotpot even spicier, create a Sichuan sauce mix that you can use to dip your toppings!
Peppercorn Mala Hotpot
— From: johahayo
Address: 587 Bukit Timah Rd, #03-07 Coronation Shopping Plaza
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—10 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +6587268729
Another great halal spot that serves amazing mala dishes is Peppercorn Mala Hotpot. I love that the interior design is very cheery in terms of mood. Somehow, the sight of the golden wall and its cultural decorations make me forget about the spice.
What I like about the hotpot here is that it’s not overly oily or greasy. As such, I don’t feel bloated as soon as I finish eating. There are also many topping choices, and my go-to are the tender sliced beef, the springy noodles, and crispy bok choy.
Pro Tip:
- Avoid the rush hours (around 11 am and 6 pm) when visiting this place because it has limited seats.
Come Again Mala
— From: come_again_mala
Address: 2 Bukit Batok Street 23, Bukit Batok Connection
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11:30 am to 8:30 pm
If you’re craving something other than a mala hotpot, you’ll love Come Again Mala. This restaurant offers a wide variety of mala dishes!
My favorite dishes here are the stir-fried diced chicken, which is topped with dried chili, and the poached fish, which is cooked in a broth so bright red (thanks to all the mala seasoning).
I love that the chicken and fish in these two dishes are still tender and juicy, and they really absorb all the heat from the mala seasoning.
Pro Tip:
- I recommend coming here via public transportation because there’s no parking lot nearby.
57º Mala Xiang Guo
— From: 57malaxiangguo
Address: 598 Yishun Ring Rd, #01-40/41/42 Wisteria Mall
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—9 am to 12 am
Contact Number: +6597622413
I like to think that the 57º in this restaurant’s name refers to the temperature of the spice served here because it does taste like 57ºC to me. Every time I eat here, I have to fan myself rigorously or down ice-cold water like I’m in the middle of summer.
I recommend getting the Chongqing grilled fish. The flesh is always soft, and I love how the whole fish is drenched in a bright red marinade. Aside from the fish, I also get the beef noodles, which have enoki mushrooms and black fungus. It’s such a hearty meal!
Pro Tip:
- It’s usually full house around dinnertime (6 to 9 pm), so I recommend stopping by lunch or in the afternoon instead.
Happy House Sichuan Kitchen Mala Hotpot
— From: juliuslim
Address: 211 New Upper Changi Rd, #01-763 Bedok Town Center
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11 am to 10 pm
Happy House Sichuan Kitchen Mala Hotpot is tucked away in Bedok Town Center, making it a hidden gem. But don’t overlook it because the mala dishes are a must-try!
You can get the mala hotpot, which is topped with several amazing toppings (from meat to vegetables). You can also adjust the spice level, so you don’t have to subject yourself to extreme heat.
This Bedok restaurant has other spicy dishes. I recommend the spicy prawns and the mapo beancurd. Both of these have a hint of sweetness, which helps the spice to become tolerable.
Pro Tip:
- Expect to find a long line here, especially in the evening. Don’t worry, though, because the line moves fast.
Mala Kungfu
— From: nomsforangela
Address: 302 Bedok Rd, Bedok Shopping Complex
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11 am to 3 pm, 5 to 10 pm
Contact Number: +6582288025
Another great spot in Bedok is Mala Kungfu. This restaurant is located in Bedok Shopping Complex, one of the most popular shopping malls in the neighborhood, so you can easily find it.
Mala hotpot is the specialty here. I usually choose a medium spicy broth base, then for the toppings, I go for the tofu, pork, beef, and beancurd skin. I also love ordering rice or noodles because they help mitigate the spice—at least, a little bit.
Pro Tips:
- If you’re planning to dine with a group, you can book your spot ahead of time via phone.
- You can also pre-order over a phone call, which is helpful if you’re stuck in traffic and you want to be able to eat as soon as you arrive at the restaurant.
Ding Ding Hong Mala Hotpot
— From: keys.singapore
Address: 1 Kadayanallur St, #01-41 Maxwell Food Center
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11:30 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +6591682851
If you’re visiting Chinatown, you should check out Ding Ding Hong Mala Hotpot, which is a stall inside Maxwell Food Center.
I recommend trying the mala stir-fried pot. The mala seasoning perfectly coasts the chicken meat, lotus roots, cucumber, sausages, and more, so my mouth is always on fire here.
Plus, I like that the portion size here is pretty big, so I feel full and satisfied afterward.
Pro Tips:
- Avoid coming here during lunchtime because it gets crowded and you’ll be stuck in a long queue.
- I would also recommend not driving here because the food center has no dedicated parking lot.