Pixiu Mala Hongtang Buena Park (피슈마라 홍탕 부에나팍) — Restaurant in Buena Park

Cali is finally getting cold, and this Mala Tang was perfect for the weather! It was date night, and we were excited bc this was our first time trying Korean style hot pot.

Parking: The Source has a free parking garage. Plenty of parking and easy to find.

Ambiance/Environment: This spot is located on the second floor. We visited right before their dinner rush. It started getting busy between 6-8pm. They have a large space inside with plenty of seating. Perfect for all group sizes. Very clean and modern inside.

Service: Everyone was helpful and welcoming, but special shout out to Andrew! He was very knowledgeable about the menu and even gave us good recommendations. There was also a worker constantly walking around ensuring everyone was doing well. Overall, service was above & beyond excellent.

What to do: After a server seats you, take a look at the menu. Then get a bowl & tongs from the toppings bar and fill it up. Remember they charge per lb, and they do have a scale so it gives you an idea of how much you’re spending. Take your bowl to the register and choose whether you want Mala tang, Mala stir fry, or Mala pan. Choose your spice level. They’ll take your bowl and prepare your dish. Then they serve it to you.

Food & Drinks:

1. Mala Tang, med hot - I ordered this. I absolutely looove the broth! It had the perfect amount of spiciness. All the toppings I chose were delicious, and the beef brisket & lamb were cooked well.

2. Mala Stir Fry, hot - My bf ordered this, and I only took one bite bc this was veryyy spicy for me lol. The stir fry had so much flavor, and everything was cooked perfectly!

3. Sweet & Sour Pork - This was recommended to us. The pork wasn’t too chewy, and the outside texture was gooey. We never had anything like it, so it was a good different taste for us.

4. Rose Tteokbokki - Another dish that was recommended to us. This was definitely rich in flavor. The rice cake was cooked well and drenched in the Mala sauce. The dumplings & sausages were also delicious!

5. Milkis & Walovi - Some of my fav Korean drinks! Can’t go wrong with these classics. So refreshing!

Pricing: Definitely worth it $$$. These portions were HUGE, so...

Looking for a place to eat with the family and other spots had a wait. Stumbled upon this new spot at The Source Mall (located on the 2nd floor). If you’ve had malatang before then you’re familiar with the process- get a bowl and tongs and start to fill with your favorite items. They have a nice selection of noodles, vegetables and they have lamb and beef short rib. The advertisements in the front indicate this is a famous spot in Korea that has made its way here! There’s also a scale there so you can weigh the food yourself. I was happy to find the scale was tared to the weight of the bowl. Once you get up to the counter you select whether you want it fried or in a soup. We all picked soup and the spiciness level 0 is no spice and I went with mild (number 1) although I found that to be spicy too. Husband ordered number 2 level spicy and it was pretty spicy (for me). At the counter we also ordered a green onion pancake with mayo spread. SO GOOD we ordered a second one! Kids ate everything too! It was nice that they had hot menu items too to offer those that don’t want malatang. They have a sauce bar too so you can use to dip your meat/vegetables or add seasoning to your soup. The interior was simple, neat and most important clean! The staff was welcoming, friendly, and helpful! You pay at the end of the meal- they will bring a card reader to you (Apple Pay is probably an accepted method). The best part was I noticed my bowl fell below the minimum weight/price and they did not charge me the full $16.99- they prorated the cost! Can’t wait...

The meat trays sat empty, the sauce station wasn’t replenished, and the bathroom was overflowing with trash—clear signs of neglect. For a restaurant that wasn’t busy at all, these issues stood out immediately.

We stopped by for a late lunch, and the restaurant was completely empty when we arrived. At first, I assumed that meant we’d get attentive service, but unfortunately, the experience was quite the opposite. The food itself was disappointing. The tofu was undercooked, making it hard and unpleasant to eat, and the dishes lacked the signature MALA flavor I expected, especially given the restaurant’s name.

Service was another major drawback. We had to ask for aprons because none were offered, and throughout the meal I found myself repeatedly requesting basic things that should have been taken care of without asking—almost as if I was reminding the staff to do their job. The staff mostly stayed behind the counter, making it difficult to get their attention when needed.

With better organization, service, and quality control, this place could improve. But as it stands now, the overall experience was disappointing, and I would not...