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Best place for flavor and value if you're in the mood for mala! Anytime a friend visits from out of town, they request that we go here. Our favorite items to order are the bbq, the dry pot and the crabs. But honestly, you really can't go wrong with anything on the menu. The service isn't the best as they will try to rush you out of your table during busy hours but they're nice about it.
Came on a very busy Sunday night but managed to get seated with no wait. However, it took an entire hour for our food to come out which was a bit frustrating given the lack of communication about any delays. However, the dry spicy pot was great (though a bit too greasy to have often) and the food was tasty overall. I would probably come back, but order takeout to avoid the long wait from dining in.
We often come here for authentic tingling spice Chinese cuisine! Food always comes out very fast and fresh, with large portions! Service is friendly, although ordering is done through a specific QR code at your table. They offer a 5% cash discount on your tab, so definitely bring cash if you can! There are plenty of tables and dining space, usually isn't too much of a wait unless you go during peak times. Overall, great value for what you get and it's delicious! Amongst all the options within Allston, this is a must try!
Mala Restaurant might be the best Chinese spot in the Allston area, especially in terms of value. I came here with some friends and we were seated right away. The dry pot is an absolute must try. You can customize your bowl with whatever proteins and vegetables you want, and choose your spice level. Don't take the spice lightly. The fish fillet is probably my favorite protein. It's fried perfectly and so addicting that I usually order a large portion. The spicy wontons and dumplings are solid as well. I haven't explored much of the menu yet, but I'm sure everything else is also delicious.
This place seriously gets better and better. Most please kind of fizzle out, but not this place. This place is so consistently yummy and affordable. I still enjoy going there, as well as getting take out from there. The flavors are unmatched, and I definitely crave this place pretty frequently. Some friends and I recently got takeout from here, and I just wanted to give another shoutout to Mala for their delicious food. Thank you for providing consistency, especially in a time where that's not considered important. The service is always good here and despite being a small place, it's very comfortable and cozy. Will continue to support this restaurant and crave its yumminess!!!
Walked in to this casual restaurant in Allston. Tried the Roast Beef Tendon w/ Chili Sauce, Chili & Cumin Lamb (my favorite), Double Cooked Bacon, Stir Fried Pea Shoots (a bit overly salty today), Stir Fried Chicken, and Shrimp & Pork Soup Dumplings (tasted better than they looked). There was loud dinging throughout the meal from notifications at the check in counter. We also walked in to see them cleaning green beans on one of the empty tables. Definitely a more casual and homey place, and the total was not bad!
The food was not bad but the service was horrible. We went during dinner time expecting it to be really busy but surprisingly, it was only half full. They sat us (2) at the table nearest to the kitchen/front desk/bathroom, and I saw that there were open tables further towards the window. So I asked if we can sit by the window instead. Those tables are bigger and seats 4 people. The waitress turns to another worker and tells her in Chinese that we wanted to sit by the window in which this worker responds with "两个人还想坐窗边" (Two people and they want to sit by the window seat?!) in a sassy tone and then she scoffs. Mind you, this whole time we've only spoken in English but I am fluent in Chinese so I understood everything. The waitress turns back to us and just shakes her head no without any explanation. At that point, I was just like okay, they probably expects the restaurant to get busy and wants to keep the tables open. But guess what, there's literally two people sitting by the window who happens to be Chinese aunties and they were chatting it up with the waitresses and being all friendly. It was giving special treatment. The whole time we were there, they would put food down on our table and not even acknowledge us even when we would say thank you. It's almost like "here damn" when they put our food down. No eye contact, no smile, no your welcome, no "enjoy your food". And the whole time, I couldn't figure out who's actually our server because random people would give us the food and fill our water. And the whole time, that window seat was open. So I'm genuinely so confused. And it ruined my mood for the rest of the meal. Now for the food, it was what you'd expect, packed with flavor and spices. Though the dry pot was very salty and it was very confusing ordering it because it doesn't really say if it comes with vegetables and we also couldn't order any vegetables using the 3 meat option. The egg plants were really good. The soup dumplings were alright, a little dry and greasy for my liking. The skewers were my favorite. The chili wontons were flavorful, I love the sauce, but the wontons themselves taste kind of old/not fresh. We wouldn't come back again just because the food is not unique, you can find it at any Chinese restaurant like mountain house down the street. The service however seemed like it's consistently bad seeing the other reviews. And if you're going to expect a 15% minimum tip then at least act like you like your job and serve your customers with a good attitude.
The spicy dry pot is our usual dish and it never disappoints us. It's convenient to order food from your phone although service can be a bit edgy sometimes.
Food here is solid. There is a 10% discount if you pay with cash. We tipped based on the cash price and they chased us down for not tipping based on the card price... so beware of that... they'll go after you!! Knocked down a star because of that awkward interaction. My favorite was the spicy chicken appetizer 口水雞. Both appetizers of the chicken and pork wraps had really nice sauces that were sweet, garlicky, vinegary, soy-y, super yummy. My party of 5 got 2 appetizers, 3 entrees, and 4 bowls of rice and we had leftovers!
Mala Restaurant in Allston is one of my favorite places to go to when I'm craving Sichuan food! I absolutely LOVE getting their mala spicy pot 麻辣香锅 & like to change it up + pick different items on the list every time I visit; can pick a couple of different meats & veggies to add to the pot! Also, I always have to order the boiled fresh whole fish with special chili oil 沸腾活鱼片 OR the grilled whole fish with chef's special sauce 烤全鱼. Both are AMAZING, just one is grilled/fried & one is boiled ;) All dishes here pair super well with rice! (The fish with sour pickled veggies 酸菜活鱼片 is also CHEF'S KISS, cannot go wrong) Definitely try Mala Restaurant for authentic Sichuan food in Boston. Highly recommend!
Brighton ave, dinner time, just have to circle around and catch a parking spot. The spot was busy and definitely lively. We ordered the make your own mala pot (I prefer dry pot style might have to try that next time) but the lady liked it! We also got the fresh fish in the green pepper (sour / spicy) broth. That was really good and also drinkable like a soup (the broth I mean) Service was good, water cup was constantly being refilled. The ladies working were nice. The space is not that big but they make use of it and it gets packed especially during dinner rush / weekends.
We took a chance on this place as it looked the busiest out of the several restaurants nearing it. Folks kept going in and we took a chance. We are so glad we did! Food is superb and pricing is very reasonable. Food: Soup dumplings - these are smaller than traditional XLB's at other places, but they still taste pretty good and have an ok amount of soup inside. Some had more, some had less. These took a long time to come out, it was last. I'd give them a 3/5 rating. Chili cumen beef - Very good, give it a 4/5 rating. There is a good amount of beef with some green peppers. There are a TON of red peppers but I find that its mostly unedible as they are pretty dry and hard to chew. This dish is pretty dry. We got it spicy and it was perfect, and the mala flavor was not overpowering. You can also get this with lamb instead of beef. Shredded pork with dried bean curd - This was also a 4/5 rating. There are generous portions of meat and bean curd (sorta like firmer tofu?), along with some slices of green peppers. Flavor is spot on and this dish is not spicy. BBQ skewers - I thought this would be more popular here, but we were the only table to order these. They came out quick and had great flavor. There was a little crispness to the tentacles. The lamb was very tender and flavorful. The pork belly was just ok. Overall, I'd give skewers a 3/5 rating. This place has a sizeable dining area. I really liked that you order from your phone after scanning the QR code at your table. You can easily add on more items throughout your stay. I only wish they had more pictures for their menu items, as it would really help. Service was very good. Staff was friendly and there was someone going around constantly refilling water. They do tend to speak to you in chinese, but some can speak some english. Prices are very reasonable for the portions and quality of food. I think this definitely adds to the popularity of this place, as I'm also looking forward to a return visit soon. Keep up the great work! Lots of street parking spots around the area, but depending on day and time, could get challenging, be patient!
If you're not used to mala or spicy food, beware! With that said... this is proper mala! A small but mighty eatery in the ever growing Asian restaurant strip around Harvard Ave in Allston. This place is usually packed and needs a wait during the school year when college kids are in, but we were able to get a table for 2 quickly on a Friday afternoon. Service is quick and prompt as there is a lot of foot traffic in the small bustling space. The team there seems really happy and tight knit, at least more so than other places I've been in. The food is nothing short of excellent - their mala is top notch and each dish had very distinct but wonderful taste, the chef knows his craft. We ordered the vegetable dry hot pot, fish fillet in spicy chili, and the double cooked bacon. Hot pot was alright, and served as a good buffer with the other more oily dishes. The bacon was delicious, with a bit of heat for a nice kick. But the star was 100% the fish. Yes it's spicy, but they throw in this whopping thing of garlic right in the middle and the flavor profile will absolutely blow your mind. Get the fish, you will not regret. Get a bowl of rice, you'll need the buffer. tldr; proper mala spot in Allston. Get the fish in chili sauce. That is all
1 year ago
5 years ago
10/10 would recommend! The food is phenomenal! Especially if you're a sucker for spicy food, their Mala pot and dry stir fried capsicum chicken are to die for! You can choose your own proteins and veggies to add to the pot (super flexible for vegetarians or all you meat lovers). If you're not a huge fan of spice, their pot also offers a mild option. They also have amazing sweet and sour fish which I normally order but forgot to take a picture of but definitely worth it. Best for larger parties though I would say since their portions are rather big. With that said, however, prices are affordable and service is decent. Definitely 5 stars from me. read more
6 years ago
Mala always hits the spot for spicy, flavorful food! The fish dishes are definitely worth getting if you're dining in. We got lamb, pork belly, chicken gizzard, and quail egg skewers. I recommend getting the lamb skewers for sure! We also ordered wontons in chili sauce, fried rice, and dry crispy fried chicken. Portions are big and shareable. Took off one star because although the staff are friendly, their service is super slow! :( read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
This is one of the best restaurants in Boston offering some of the best dry hot pot I've had in my life, significantly better than dry hot pot restaurants in the San Francisco Bay Area or in Chinatown. Located in quaint and hectic (pre-COVID) college town of Allston, this ordinary-standing building boasts really some of the freshest, exciting, and bold flavors. The hot peppercorns and Sichuan taste is clean and unforgettable - we always opt for pork intestines, quail eggs, fish fillet, chicken gizzards, lotus, potatoes, luncheon meat. It always comes out piping hot, sizzling, and fantastic. None of the meats are the kind of cheap crappy cuts that dry hot pot places usually toss in, even the pork belly (luncheon meat is a terrible translation) is sliced thinly and high quality. The way the flavors mix all together is just incredible - you can't replicate that with any other Chinesse takeout and with this combo, there are all sorts of magical textures in every single bite. You get the softness in the qual egg, the richness of the pork intestines/chicken gizzards, the crispiness of the fried chicken, the sweetness of pork belly - basically a true restaurant where all the ingredients are allowed to shine together WITHOUT being drowned in oil and pepper. This is a can't miss restaurant, better than many of the Chinese restaurants in the Bay Area and in Boston's Chinatown. The furniture is pretty sleek, the service is efficient, the bathroom is serviceable, but the food here is really next level and worth coming for. read more
6 years ago
Front of house was extremely rude when my wife and I walked in to make an order. He seemed upset that we were ordering food and interrupting his precious time watching his Chinese drama. Are you annoyed that I'm paying money for your food/service?! Halfway through eating our food, my wife showed me an odd looking piece of food. Looking closely it was a CLOTHING TAG!!!! Absolutely disgusted. I almost threw up all the food I ate thinking about how this tag ended up in the food. Did they throw some dirty socks in the food too?! I do not recommend anyone to go here! read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
4 years ago
I always come by here. The spice and flavor keeps me coming back. We ordered the dry pot (lotus, mushrooms, beef, fish fillet). We also got the chicken Szechuan and it was amazing. Would recommend pacing yourself because if you eat too fast you do get full. We were 3 people and this food was more than enough. We also get the fish tofu skewers, each have 4 pieces of 1. read more
this is probably my favorite mala pot place in the greater metro area. the dishes are always very flavorful, a little on salty side. the pig ear appetizer dish is really tender, one of my favorite dishes here. typically we get the mala pot and/or a fish dish. last time we tried a noodle dish, which we were pleasantly surprised with. read more
2 years ago
This is my go to for mala dry pot and veggies! I always get the Large Mala Dry Pot and Garlic Green Beans (super good). The food comes out super fast so I'm always happy about that. The setting of the store feels comfortable and has a balance of group seats/pairs. The store gets super busy around dinner time so make sure you get there and be on the waitlist! I would come here every day if I could. read more
8 years ago
Portion is huge and fair for the price. 3 of us shared a large pot, along with the man tou bun with condensed milk, and a bowl of dan dan noodles. We definitely had enough leftovers to take home for another meal. The decor of the restaurant is slightly confusing, so is their music playlist. But heck, I'm not here for the sights and sounds, just the food... and the food is awesome! read more
4 years ago
Good restaurant in allston! I suggest asking the servers if you have any questions because their online ordering system is confusing. Definitely order the vegetable and meat mala pot. read more
3 years ago
One of my favorite restaurants in boston. So affordable and a great place for college students to eat out. I would recommend the spicy wontons (i get this everytime) and the spicy mala pot. The beef stir fry is also amazing. read more
3 years ago
6 years ago
Mala is a staple restaurant for my friends and I. The Dry Stir Fried Chicken hits the spot on every level. The last time I was there however, it was much spicier than usual. Typically the spice is strong enough to add an extra kick and balances it out with a sweet/spicy finish. Despite how much spicier it was, I just needed to keep eating the chicken. I also recommend the dry mala pot with the pork belly and beef. The rest of the toppings you can customize on your own. The serving sizes are really big so I would be wary of ordering too much. If you go on a weekend, be conscious of your own time availability because there is always always a line. read more
5 years ago
We did takeaway & we ordered beef pot (mild), lamb pot (medium) and drypot with King oyster mushroom, seaweed, large pork, etc. Wasn't spicy enough but flavor was good! We also ordered wonton in spicy chilli oil -- my personal favourite !!! Overall great first mala experience! Get ready to fight for the toilet the next day; which is normal for the mala experience hahaha read more
2 years ago
4 years ago
This is my favorite cheap eats restaurant in Boston. I always get just dry pot here with a bowl of rice and it never misses!!! I'm a regular here and would highly recommend if you're looking for some spicy food. I have pretty good spice tolerance and "spicy" is perfect for me, rather than mild! read more
3 years ago
best wontons i've ever had, it's a must order!! the crab was a little lacking in flavor but it was very decently priced for the amount but the waitress was very nice about changing flavoring of it even after ordering. mala pot was pretty good and even though we got mild it was still spicy read more
4 years ago
These chili wontons are a must. The best oil that I have ever tasted and it made me want to lick the bowl! This is a small place with inconsistent service but the food makes it worth it completely. The noodles were soft and flavorful and I poured some of the remaining oil on them which was the icing on the cake. Please go here! read more
7 years ago
First timers! READ this: the menu is super confusing, but if you are planning to order mala dry pot: Choose either (1) A dry pot with 3 vegetables or (2) a dry pot with 6 vegetables. Then choose small or large portions of meat and seafood. Simple but very confusing for first timers Review: besides the confusing menu, food and service was great. The service was quick and we got a table in an instant. The waitress was very patient with us. The food was delicious and very filling. Best part is it's all at a great price. My mala dry pot was shared with another person and it cost less than $19 without tip. I recommend this restaurant and will come again. read more
4 years ago
One year after trying Mala for the first time, it is still have favorite Chinese restaurant in Boston. My favorite items are the dry stir fry green beans, the cauliflower dry pot with bacon, the fish sour pickled soup, dry stir fried chicken, and dry pot. So delicious read more
5 years ago
This spot is one of the best in Allston. They have the most authentic spicy Chinese food. Their best dish is their mala pot in which you get to pick a variety of vegetables and proteins to mix with spices. Their fish is extremely crispy and their chicken is delicious. This is a must try if you live in Boston or just are visiting read more
2 years ago
Found this place on Yelp - and we were not disappointed! We came as a group of 4 and shared everything - which we highly recommend, otherwise you won't be able to try that many things... We ordered: - dry hot pot (medium spicy level) - dan dan noodles - chili oil wontons - Skewers: shrimp, pork belly & chicken hearts - cold cucumber Everything is really tasty and quite spicy - so make sure you can handle the spice, or order the cucumber to help cool you off. We were silly and didn't add on the cucumber until the end. The dan dan noodles had great flavour - but i'm used to it having peanut sauce, which this one didn't have (or I couldn't taste it). The chili oil wontons surprisingly wasn't really spicy, it had a sweet taste to it - still very good. The skewers were good. Just note that if you order the shrimp - it is 1 shrimp on the skewer including the head and tail. We noticed lots of people order the fish dish - which is something we want to come back and try! read more
7 years ago
My favorite place to eat with friends in Boston. We always order a large pot (usually with beef, white fish fillet, enoki mushrooms, wood ear mushrooms, noodles, bok choy), string beans, and three pepper chicken. We always get mild for our pot which is already pretty spicy (we all have a medium spice tolerance). You definitely need to get string beans with the meal to balance out all the spicy foods! And plus the string beans are really good on their own, super flavorful and garlicky - my all time favorite string beans. The spicy three pepper chicken is amazing! They add a little bit of sugar which I really like. The chicken is hot and crispy and the perfect amount of spice, also great to balance out the numbing spice in the Mala pot. This restaurant is busy as ever especially during dinner time. Try to go either for a early/late dinner; otherwise, you're going to be waiting a while. But honestly, this food is worth the wait. My friends and I always come starving and leaving super full and satisfied. And the portions are HUGE. My usual party of 3 can't ever finish the pot so we always take it home for yummy leftovers. I 100% recommend coming here if you're in the area. read more
I am going to be honest, I haven't had much Mala food and the sight of a place full of red Sichuan peppers is a bit daunting. But the flavors were excellent and the food was really good. We ordered the Crispy fried pepper chicken, Mala big bowl and crispy green beans. All cooked well all worth the price. I enjoyed my experience here and will definitely come again. Protip: long lines on weekends and no parking make it a difficult spot for out of towners. but the food with worth the wait. read more
4 years ago
5 stars for all the food during our dine-ins. Whole fish in mala sauce with all sorts of vegetables, cumin lamb, spicy sechuan chicken, all appetizers or any food we ordered were delicious. However, I was very disappointed when we ordered the same whole fish to go. Order included just chunks of fish fillets and chilli. read more
5 years ago
This place is fantastic. We got the dry spicy chicken (left in the photo), stir-fried string beans, sauteed fish filet (right in the photo), and wontons in chili oil. Everything was to die for, especially the fish - super crispy, spicy, and tingly. It's a taste overload and would 100% recommend getting this in particular if you like spice. read more
Authentic (spicy) Chinese food in the Allston area. I came with a friend on Saturday night and it was absolutely PACKED. We originally planned to eat in, however the wait was 30 minutes for a table. We opted to order takeout. I ordered the braised beef noodle soup, and she ordered a seafood pot. We still ended up waiting 30 minutes just for food. I would definitely recommend avoiding weekend dinners. The food itself was absolutely delicious. The Beef came in generous portions, and was tender and flavorful. The noodles were a bit overcooked. I would definitely come back on a weekday to try the customizable dry pots. Other things to try are bbq skewers. read more
5 years ago
One of my favorite restaurants in MA! I come here every time I visit Boston. The wontons in the spicy sauce are a must get. The sauce is not too spicy and is on the sweeter side. We love the sauce so much that we order rice and put the sauce on top! The dry pot is also delicious and very customizable. Compared to other places, Mala Restaurant is very affordable. Some other must gets include their fish fillet dish and their cauliflower with bacon. Their cucumbers with special sauce dish is also very refreshing, perfect with all the spicy dishes! read more
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The food is definitely bueno but the service can be mala 😂
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