MáLà Project Greenpoint — Restaurant in New York

For starters, I love this restaurant l, I have been here to dine in at least 10 times in the last 2 years.

The food: I am a vegetarian, but I also have a broad palette and appreciation for spice. Mala delivers on both fronts!!! This place has sooo many vegetarian options and most dishes are customizable to accommodate dietary needs. I’ve pretty much tried every veg option on the menu. I LOVE THE DRY POTS!!!! Honestly, the amount of vegetarian ingredients I can choose from is overwhelming sometimes, in a good way!! I never get the same pot twice, but they have soo many delicious ingredients to choose from such as many types of mushrooms, greens, tofu, noodles etc!! And regardless of the mix it’s alwaysssss delicious. Personally I love the “little spice” (actually kind of spicy) option (like a medium) but every level has its own delicious merit depending on your vibe. (Don’t let this deter you if you don’t like spicy food- just order the “ginger” sauce and def tell the server if you don’t do spicy) Dry pots are definitely shareable too, as you can include as many ingredients as you want and share amongst a group! (They have a ton of carnivorous proteins that I can’t speak upon but friends always love!) Also, get the pickled veggies for apps and herbal jellies for dessert. Not even kidding I was super skeptical of both but once I tried them they instantly became favorites/staples for me. The staff is also superrrr helpful and knowledgeable/accommodating with any questions you might have!

The staff though truly deserves a gold star. I came in tonight and Amari, Ryan and Ava were working. They took care of my large group without a hesitation. Drinks, including several different cocktails were made promptly and DELICIOUSLY, served while we were waiting for our food to come out so we had time to enjoy them while we waited. Amari was so sweet and on top of her game, taking several drink orders at a time and serving them quickly. Ryan was also on the ball ensuring our food was delivered promptly and piping hot out of the kitchen! If the food wasn’t enough, the staff here will always keep me coming back with their friendliness, hospitality and warmth, making this feel like a true neighborhood gem.

TLDR: Go to MáLà Project, try everything on the menu, and strike up a conversation with the staff. You...

Literally need to call my grandmother to get over the trauma of this place. Terrible doesn’t cut it. This is a purgatory funhouse where someone decided to slap together random fragments of Chinese culture and completely bastardize it — with BAD FOOD and portions that are an insult to everyone and their ancestors.

The priced spice levels and the fact that IT WASNT BLOODY SPICY OR NUMBING tells you everything. I really can’t this place felt like a curse. Is a curse. $63 for the saddest mala bowl I’ve had in my life. You cannot see the ingredients or choose the weight. Freshness red flag.

I was rationing while eating?! I usually have a whole take out box left over when I order a bowl over $50 at any other respected Mala place.

Please be warned, I beg you, do not step foot into this funhouse of bad portions and void of soul of the Chinese dining experience. You will leave unsatisfied and worse — with a looming sense of doom. Please I wish I could scrub this place from my soul. It literally needs to shut down. No Chinese person is there by choice.

I ordered: (1 meat that I had to hunt for in the bowl like easter egg hunt, 4 veggies, 2 rice and split an appetiser- which too was overpriced and terrible)

If you want elevated Chinese food experience go to Shan, if you want Mala go to literally anywhere else on the planet.

Note: posted this review for the wrong...

Really cute space! Have sat in both the front and back rooms and felt super comfortable in both areas. Really appreciate being able to sit in a restaurant that isn’t BLASTING music while you’re trying to eat or have a conversation. Service was great too, everyone was super nice.

Food is pretty good and I left satisfied but giving it 3 stars because:

They used Lo Mein noodles for the Dan Dan Mein which is the wrong noodle to use imo, and it was lacking spice and strong flavor in the dish unfortunately. Also no pork? Why?

The mapo tofu had too much xiaoxing wine in it and was focused more on vinegar than spice or chili oil. It grew on me a little towards the end but it didn’t taste like what I wanted it to. Also wasn’t spicy.

The Chinese style chicken was just pieces of chicken with the bones and crispy skin. It was good quality meat and was tender but no flavor really. A little misleading as well because I assumed Chinese style chicken would be a stir fry.

I liked the house fried noodle! That was the best dish we had. Correct noodle selection in the dish and had a good flavor to it.

Very reasonably priced though. We were a group of 5 and paid $40 each including drinks and tip.

I have yet to try the dry pot at this location - this is only a review of the other stuff. Need to try that next time since it’s their thing and is a bomb in the...