Mala Town 自选麻辣烫 — Restaurant in Spring Valley

MalaTown is a hidden culinary gem that offers a unique dining experience by seamlessly blending authentic and innovative culinary techniques. It is a restaurant specializing in Mala-Tang, a traditional Chinese dish made with a broth and ingredients such as meat, vegetables, and noodles. The foundation of MalaTown lies in its commitment to delivering genuine Mala-Tang, directly inspired by the rich tapestry of Asian culinary landscapes.

MalaTown has gained popularity with its locations in San Francisco and New York City, where it has successfully redefined the gastronomic landscape by blending traditional flavors with contemporary creativity. The result is a dining experience that is both nostalgic and cutting-edge, offering a fusion of culinary philosophies that transcend traditional boundaries.

MalaTown is a vibrant and bustling culinary hub where you can indulge in a unique dining experience. One of the standout features of this place is the DIY concept, which allows you to customize your meal by handpicking your preferred ingredients and weighing them to determine how much you can carry. This interactive approach is a fun and engaging way to explore different flavors and textures. One of the must-try ingredients at MalaTown is the Crab Stick Cakes. This seafood delicacy perfectly fuses succulent crab meat and other premium ingredients carefully crafted to delight your taste buds. The dish is a masterpiece, blending savory and slightly sweet notes in perfect harmony. The chefs' meticulous attention to detail is evident in every dish aspect, from the presentation to the flavor profile.

MalaTown's menu boasts an impressive array of ingredients, each carefully curated to elevate the Mala-Tang experience. For example, the baby bok choy, a gem among Asian greens, provides a crisp and tender texture with a mild sweetness that refreshes the palate. The fish tofu, a delightful blend of fish paste and tofu, introduces a unique springy and soft texture that absorbs the rich broth, delighting seafood enthusiasts.

Shiitake mushrooms, renowned for their deep, earthy flavor, add a touch of umami to the bowl, creating a meaty texture and woody aroma that enhances the overall dining experience. Chinese cabbage, a staple in Asian cuisine, brings a delightful crunch and mild peppery flavor, adding texture and taste to the meticulously crafted bowls.

The beef, with tender cuts infused with MalaTown's signature spicy blend, offers a bold and flavorful choice that packs heat and heartiness in every mouthful. Meanwhile, the crunchy and subtly sweet bamboo shoots provide a fresh texture reminiscent of springtime forests, while ethically sourced organic ham from pigs brings a smoky richness that deepens the complexity of flavor in every bowl.

MalaTown is not just a restaurant; it is an ode to the art of culinary craftsmanship. With a commitment to quality, authenticity, and innovation, MalaTown invites patrons to savor the future of Mala-Tang today. The blend of traditional and modern flavors and the freedom to customize each bowl ensures an unforgettable dining experience that transcends expectations. As a connoisseur of fine dining, MalaTown is a destination that warrants repeated visits to explore the nuances of its diverse and...

Your own fusion Asian mala dry boiled ingredients mix, or hot pot soup dish. We grabbed takeout. In love with all the different veggies there! Including seafood, and meats. Lots of variety! I'm not much of a hot pot person, but I do like boiled food. Similar to Yunnan Tasty Restaurant. Be careful how much you're getting!! Recommend strolling to see your ingredients before you accidentally overload like us.

Ingredients definitely include those with Tawianese taste in hot pot to custom boiled dish, like rice blood cakes and fried chicken. The thick noodles are a must for me now. Not all ingredients are in top shape so be wary. They offer in array of seafood like clams, squid, octopus, fish filet, fish balls, and more. Veggies can include the usuals and more...lotus roots, fungus, Chinese cauliflower, yam, bamboo, pea sprouts, mushrooms. Different noodles and tofu is available too. And for meats...braised beef shank, por belly, spam, inners (tripe, etc), lamb, beefs.

We tried the tomatoe soup, and the dry mix mild this time. We got carried away and each got at least $25 worth of goodies in each of our picks. We got take out. Dry mix is bomb! And any leftover soup can be reused to cook another soup dish. You can ask to sample to soups. They were all good!! (SO tried the dairy beef broth, and enjoyed it too).

Staff Paul is a great instructor! Ask him your questions! Also, Yelp review after your meal. And bring it in next time for a free drink! Locals can ask for a stamp card! Sauces, Water and Jasmine Tea is included!

At first I thought it was going to be like a Taiwanese grab fried/boiled bag of goodies to go. Very similar but a fusion and soupy version. All they need is the Tawianese version which is boiled in herbal mala soup but not a hot pot soup. But dry mix mild to medium spicy is pretty similar. We've been eyeing this place near us and...

Counting down the days until I can come here again. I came with my best friend, this was our first time trying hot pot style food. I believe she ordered the Szechuan broth & I got the dry mix, medium spice. The flavor was so delicious, everything came out fresh and hot! I love a peanut based sauce so the dry mix was perfect for me. However, if you’re like my friend and I and enjoy very spicy food, definitely recommend getting hot. Medium didn’t provide much heat for my preferences. Either way, if you ordered mild or medium and found it to be too mild for you, you can head to the complimentary sauce bar and create your own sauce.

I also appreciated the complimentary water and jasmine tea since I am always extremely thirsty. They do provide other beverage options, like unique asian bottled sodas, juices, and teas in case you prefer something other than water and jasmine tea, though I recommend at least trying the jasmine tea - it wasn’t super sweet and was very refreshing.

As I mentioned this being our first time trying hot pot style, we both went crazy with the toppings! Next time for sure I will go with more vegetables and mushrooms and lighter on the meat because my bill surpassed what I had expected. Nonetheless, for the amount I paid, I got a total of three meals worth of food. They provide To-Go containers, so I packed up what I didn’t finish and I had breakfast and lunch the following day.

The restaurant itself had a lovely atmosphere. It was busy when we arrived, but not overwhelmingly loud or obnoxious. The staff was quick to clean up tables as guests left, so everything was relatively clean. The staff was also very courteous and friendly, helping us with recommendations and providing a warm experience. I’m planning on going back soon with my sister, and I’m excited to return....