I bet you can’t answer that question. Aside from our tastes being subjective, there are also way too many mala spots for us to pinpoint just one.

However, a mala restaurant has consistently been named as the best (or at least, one of the best) and that’s none other than A Hot Hideout.

Who would have guessed that in less than three years, their humble beginnings at NTU would take them from campus favourite into the mainstream?

It’s obvious expansion is their next goal as they’ve opened their fourth and largest outlet at Bukit Panjang, which means that even Westies no longer have to go all the way to the college campus.

Their Mala Collagen Soup (S$2.50) is a signature of theirs, so of course, I had to get it. But first, I had to choose my ingredients.

Compared to other restaurants, A Hot Hideout boasts a wider selection of ingredients (S$2.88 per 100g). You’ll find the usual suspects like broccoli, enoki mushrooms and pork slices, along with unique options like sweet potato rice cakes and potatoes.

For the last point, I’m not talking about potato slices. Instead, their potatoes come whole. And, that’s because you can get an entire bowl of deep-fried potato ‘chips’ to accompany your mala.

In fact, their lotus root, dory fish slices and luncheon meat all come with the option of being deep-fried as toppings or cooked together in your mala dish.

Back then, a common complaint about their deep-fried potatoes was that the taste was too one-dimensional.

They’ve corrected this by releasing a Special Powder, which ingredients are kept unknown to us (it’s a secret, after all!) but I picked up a BBQ flavour in the mix. Pour it on the side as a ‘dipping sauce’ or sprinkle it on the top of your deep-fried foods.

Don’t say I didn’t warn you about how dangerously addictive this dish is! My chopsticks couldn’t resist reaching for more throughout the meal.

I also garnished my Mala Collagen Soup with another signature of theirs — scrambled egg.

As the broth has been simmered for more than 12 hours, it imparts a luxuriously creamy mouthfeel like what you’ll get with ramen. I recommend opting for less oil to ensure a richer mala flavour.

Their Mala Collagen Soup, alongside the Mala Stir Fry (S$1.50), comes in three spice levels: Small, Medium, and Large.

For those who can’t handle the heat, don’t worry; their Tomato Collagen Soup (S$2.50), Collagen Soup ($1.50), and Oriental Stir Fry (S$0.50) have a low to mild spice level.

If you were to ask me to choose between the Mala Collagen Soup and Mala Stir Fry, I’d actually go for the latter. The reason is that it gave a strong kick of mala flavour without being overly numbing.

Not many mala restaurants can get the mala sauce just right — spicy and slightly sweet with a touch of garlic. While I wouldn’t say A Hot Hideout perfected it, they’re close, making their dry mala a solid contender for your next spicy craving.

Cool down with their Original Thai Milk Tea (S$3.50) and Green Thai Milk Tea (S$3.50). They’re both not too sweet, so you won’t get that jelak feeling.

All in all, A Hot Hideout serves up a delicious bowl of mala that’s reliable and comforting. It’s a little more elevated compared to the rest out there but it’s not at all pretentious or complicated.

Will you bring your mala kakis here?

Do note that A Hot Hideout @ Bukit Panjang officially opens on 1st September 2024.

A Hot Hideout @ Bukit Panjang
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1 Woodlands Road, #01-34/35 Junction 10, Singapore 677899
11am–9.30pm (Daily)

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Photos by Sheree Chua

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Ok, unless you’re not into mala (in which case, you’ll name me a bunch of other combinations), it’s hard to not get enticed by a late-night mala feast.

Especially when the mala is both budget-friendly and tastes good.

For my fellow Westies, you’re in for a treat as I found a place that serves up such tasty mala.

CJ Malatang is a new mala tang restaurant in Bukit Timah that has set up shop along the row of shophouses opposite Bukit Timah Shopping Centre, just a five minutes walk from Beauty World MRT station.

Don’t expect an old-fashioned interior here as the restaurant is done up in a glamping theme for that vibey feel. So, you’ll be seated in camping chairs under fairy lights hanging above you.

Since CJ Malatang closes at 2am daily, they’ve already become one of my go-to late-night spots. However, that’s not their only selling point.

They also have no GST and service charge, which is a win in my books!

You’ll get to choose from six soup bases: Chicken, Tomato, Curry, Tom Yum, Signature Mala and Signature Dry Mala.

The first three are non-spicy, while Tom Yum is normal and Signature Mala is normal-medium in heat level.

If you’ve a strong spice tolerance, go straight for the Signature Dry Mala.

Their range of ingredients is similar to those found elsewhere like broccoli, corn, Chinese sausages, cheese tofu, beef slices and fish fillets, to name a few.

The ingredients go for S$3.60 per 100g, which is rather affordable considering that the restaurant opens till late at night and there are no extra charges.

Do accompany your mala with their variety of chuan chuan. Based on reviews online, the pork belly and lamb skewers are particularly good.

Of course, we gotta wash down all that greasiness with a refreshing beer or two.

For a dedicated mala restaurant, their selection of beers is extensive (I’m not complaining!). You can find labels like Taiwan Beer, Kronenbourg 1664 Blanc, Corona Extra, and Hoegaarden Rosee.

There’s even sake like Dassai 45, alongside spirits and non-alcoholic beverages.

The next time you and your supper kakis are looking for a place, you know where to go!

Ready to feel that tingly, numbing sensation?

CJ Malatang
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21 Cheong Chin Nam Road, Singapore 599745
12pm–2am (Daily)

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If you’ve ever found yourself craving a comforting dish like mala tang, but with the rich and concentrated flavour of mala xiang guo, Alley Malatang 老街称盘麻辣烫 is one of the newest entrants to the bustling food-filled street that is a must-visit.

The nostalgia-themed eatery is decked out with old movie posters, bamboo furniture, and decorative window fixtures that’ll transport you to the winding alleys of Chengdu, Sichuan, where the best (and most hidden) mala tang spots can often be found.

Alley Malatang is the first in Singapore to serve “weighing pan mala tang” (称盘麻辣烫) — dry-style traditional Sichuan mala tang served on an enamel plate, which resembles the weighing pan of a traditional weighing scale.

Take your pick from a selection of over 50 ingredients, which are categorised according to the following four colours: Red 红碟 (S$1), White Flower 白花碟 (S$1.60), White 白碟 (S$2.20), and Yellow 黄碟 (S$2.80)

These include a varied selection of meats and seafood like Premium Beef (精品牛肉), Spicy Pork Ribs (麻辣排骨), Black Tripe (黑毛肚), and Squid (鱿鱼须), alongside staples like Fried Beancurd Skin (炸腐竹), Lotus Root Slices (莲藕片), King Oyster Mushroom (杏鲍菇), and QQ Noodles.

The fun part? You’ll get to “shop” for ingredients with adorable rattan baskets and concoct the mala tang of your wildest dreams.

Unlike the typical mala xiang guo or Northern Chinese (Dongbei-style) mala tang, you do not need to pay an extra charge for the soup base.

Unlike Dongbei-style mala tang, which is mostly made of a rich and fragrant bone broth and milk soup base, the Sichuan-style mala tang served here is packed with peppercorns, chilli, and a butter soup base, yielding a spicy, numbing, and less-soupy broth that is certainly not for the faint-hearted.

Add in extra chilli (to achieve your desired spice level), garlic, spring onion, and the eatery’s special spicy dipping powder, and you’re all set!

Mala tang aside, you can also find other popular Sichuan dishes like Braised Pork Intestines Mixian 红烧肥肠米线 (S$4.80), Sichuan Hot & Sour Noodles 四川酸辣粉 (S$4.80), and Spicy Pork Dumplings in Chilli Vinaigrette 红油抄手 (S$3).

After all that spice, you’ll definitely want to cool off with refreshing desserts like Sichuan Ice Jelly (四川冰粉), Baked Snow Pear (冰火烤梨), and silky Beancurd (豆花).

The next time you want to enjoy mala tang without having to get through an entire bowl of soup, Alley Malatang is the place to be!

Alley Malatang 老街称盘麻辣烫
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????1 Liang Seah St, #01-05, Singapore 189022
???? 11am–8.30pm (Daily)

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If you’ve got nothing but comfort food on your mind, you can travel down to Novena for Japanese curry, tomahawk steak, Korean-Japanese rice bowls, and even mala at Hometown Mala Hotpot Mala Tang.

Also known as Jia Xiang Hometown Mala Tang, the eatery in Velocity specialises in the two Sichuan dishes Singaporeans can never get enough of — mala hotpot (xiang guo) and mala tang.

The concept is pretty straightforward — take your pick from an extensive selection of fresh ingredients priced at a flat rate of S$2.68/100g (with a minimum order of S$10), let the staff know your preferred spice level, and simply wait for your food to be ready!

Take the time to concoct your very own customised dipping sauce at the sauce counter, which features the standard range of condiments you’d find at most Chinese hotpot restaurants. Sauces come with no additional charge, so go crazy loading up on sesame sauce, vinegar, coriander, and chilli padi — whatever your heart desires.

There are three spice levels to choose from for mala xiang guo: More Spicy (小辣), Brutally Spicy (中辣), and Viciously Spicy (大辣). Regardless of how spicy you like your mala xiang guo, you can expect it to be fiery, flavourful, and numbing without being too oily.

If you’re in the mood for a comforting (and addictive) bowl of piping hot mala tang, don’t underestimate the creamy and mildly tangy broth, for it certainly packs a punch (even if you order Mild Spicy or 小辣).

Can’t handle the heat? The eatery also offers both non-spicy and less-spicy soup bases like Tom Yum, Pork Bone, Tomato, and Pickled Vegetable. I’m always happy to see tangy and sweet tomato broth — it is a must-have during the rainy season.

We’re always happy to have more affordable, mouth-numbing mala options on our shores — let’s go spice things up!

Hometown Mala Hotpot Mala Tang 家乡麻辣香锅麻辣烫
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???? 238 Thomson Road, #02-26/27 Velocity @ Novena, Singapore 307683
???? 10am–10pm (Daily)

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If you’ve got a hankering for the latter, it’s high time you visited Xiao Man Spicy Soup in one-north.

Occupying a small shop space in Fusionopolis, Xiao Man Spicy Soup, with its cosy Muji-esque interior, is a relatively hidden gem for those who don’t frequent the area. Don’t feel like jostling with the office crowds? Your best bet would be to visit during off-peak hours, especially on weekdays, if you want to snag a seat.

Like most mala tang spots, you’ve got a myriad of fresh ingredients to choose from, so you can load up on all your favourite meats and seafood (like beef short plate, pork belly, and even salmon), crabstick, broccoli, lotus root, instant ramen, cheese tofu, and many, many more.

Ingredients are priced at S$2.80 per 100g, with the exception of selected individually priced items.

There are four different types of broth with three spice levels (mild, spicy, hot) to choose from — Tomato (my favourite!), Bone, Vegetarian, and of course, Spicy Mala. Many enjoy the signature mala broth, with its savoury, mildly sour flavour profile that can certainly pack a punch.

Condiments-wise, you can jazz up your broth with vinegar and garlic, but both the homemade sesame peanut paste and chilli come highly recommended.

A well-made chilli oil should be smoky, savoury, and fragrant, without being too salty, and Xiao Man’s rendition ticks all the right boxes.

Mala tang isn’t the only dish on the menu; the eatery also sells desserts like Snow Fungus Peach Gum (S$3) and Sichuan Ice Jelly (S$3). You can even complete the meal by ordering a Drink and Dessert Combo for just S$4.

Some say Xiao Man has the best mala tang in Singapore, but you can be the judge of that!

Xiao Man Spicy Soup
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???? 1 Fusionopolis Pl, #01-26 Galaxis, Singapore 138522
???? 10.30am–8pm (Mon to Fri), 10.30am–5.30pm (Sat), Closed on Sun

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