Mala Sichuan Bistro — Restaurant in Houston

Mala Sichuan Bistro opened up its new location in the Heights. The original restaurant started in Chinatown, and it has expanded to 5 total locations across Houston now! We have been going to Mala Sichuan Bistro for years, so it's amazing to have a location so close to home.

[COCKTAILS]

+Friendly Tiger (Oolong-Infused Bourbon, Orange Marmalade, Orange Bitters) for $13 - If you like a very boozy drink, this is it. - 3.5/5

[STREET FOOD SNACKS]

+Red Oil Dumplings (House made dumplings with pork filling slathered in red chili oil, grinded garlic, and sweet and spicy soy paste, topped with sesame and green onions) for $8.99 (8-pieces) - This tastes better at other locations. I feel like these were frozen, and the dumpling shell feels too thick. - 3/5

[POULTRY]

+Black Pepper Chicken (Dark meat chicken sautéed with onions and jalapeño pepper in black pepper sauces) for $14.99 - 4/5

[VEGETABLE]

+Basil Eggplant and String Beans (Sautéed Chinese eggplants and string beans with basil in a sweet and salty pasty soy sauce and oyster sauce) for $13.99 - I'm a fan of eggplant, so this was really good...

When I first stopped in, after reading some very positive reviews, I was surprised to find the place totally empty. This worried me at first, but I think because they're accessed at the back of the complex, it's a little out of the way for most people. Not to mention that I showed up at 11:30 for an early lunch, but it seems like dinner is much more lively

I ordered the Spicy and Crispy chicken, since I saw that come up in recommendations a lot. And I was expecting something very intense, like Buffalo chicken, but true to the idea behind the name, the spiciness of this chicken is very bright and tingly, and combined with the lemon flavor going on, there's no sense of heaviness to this dish at all. I paired mine with the Stubborn Ox cocktail, which was super floral and refreshing, and only accented the brightness of the chicken all the more.

In short, I don't think dining here will necessarily replace the experience of ordering a big bag of sweet, saucy takeout, but it is an ENTIRELY different experience, and one I will be recommending to anyone in the area...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at your establishment, and I wanted to share my overwhelmingly positive experience. From the moment our food arrived, I was struck by the artistry of the presentation. Each dish was a visual masterpiece, carefully composed and clearly made with passion. The portion sizes were incredibly generous; two people can easily share a single main course. We ended taking home delicious leftovers.

My favorite appetizer was the cucumber salad in red chili sauce. The refreshing coolness of the cucumber was beautifully offset by the vibrant heat of the chili. It was a perfect start to the meal.

The chow mein was equally exceptional. The flavor was rich and complex, a testament to the quality of ingredients. I honestly struggled to leave even a single bite behind! It was that good.

Overall, my dining experience was superb. The food was not only delicious but also beautifully presented, reflecting a high level of culinary expertise. I will certainly be recommending your restaurant to friends and family, and I look forward to...