Always hit the spot for a homey meal. It's conveniently located at M-K-T near the trail. Occasionally, it gets crowded at night but we never have to wait for too long for a table. Some of my favorites to order and easy to share as a group: - Squirrel tail fish: interesting name but we were surprised how good it was. It became one of our favorites to order. - Spicy crispy chicken: a classic to try. - Eggplants in spicy garlic sauce - Dry pot beef - Mapo tofu: my favorite at Mala - Sizzling rice cracker pork The quality is always consistent regardless of the location. Food comes out fairly quick. Service is friendly. Mala is my favorite place to get good Sichuan food in Houston. read more

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Nut allergy friendly: Mala is surprisingly conscious about allergies, which has always been a plus for me. There are many dishes with nuts or pine nuts (like the kung pao chicken) but they're usually pretty clear. The Mala on Westheimer has been a staple in my friends' lives for a long time. We did a 15-person table at this Mala location when it was still relatively new, and I still get to-go from it decently often since it's easy to get in and out of MKT's parking (and I live closer to it, nothing against the parking in Montrose!). Our staples are always the spicy and crispy chicken, twice cooked pork, and the dry fried double vegetables. Always safe picks. We usually adventure out and try something different every time. I really like how they do their beef dry pot, their garlic cordyceps (definitely recreating that one at home), and their cumin lamb. Their mapo tofu is also awesome. While it's not the "main" Mala location, it still serves up an authentic experience and MKT is lucky to have them. read more

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We recently came here with friends after a Yelp Event at ARTECHOUSE nearby. We were craving Asian food and Mala came up as in the vicinity during our Yelp search! I hadn't had Mala in years, and only at the Bellaire location, so I was excited to try the location at MKT. We came in on a Thursday night around 8pm and there were a few other tables seated. We were seated right away and were given waters right off the bat. Even though it was a slow weeknight, service was attentive to our table made sure we were taken care of throughout our time. Of course our table of 4 was family styling everything, so we picked things that the group liked. We got Spicy and Crispy Chicken, Mala Tofu Pudding with Fish Fillet, Cumin Beef, Sizzling Rice Cracker Pork, and Basil Eggplant with String Beans. Portions were a decent size, enough for the four of us to finish and be full without taking home anything. The Spicy and Crispy Chicken is a staple for me at Szechuan restaurants. The one here was good; the chicken chunks were sizable and the texture was very crispy. The Mala Tofu Pudding with Fish Fillet was really flavorful; while not super spicy, it had a good heat to it from the peppercorns. The Cumin Beef was a good, non-spicy option with strong flavors of cumin. The Sizzling Rice Cracker Pork was decent; not sure if I'd order this again as I was surprised that the sauce was sweet...was not expecting a sweet pork dish, but I did like the contrasting texture of the crispy rice cracker. I will say that this one wins for presentation though because they poured the meats/sauce/veggies onto the rice crackers at the table to ensure top crispiness. The Basil Eggplant with String Beans was a good veggie dish to balance out our 4 other meat dishes; we normally go for eggplants OR string beans, this was a great way to get both in one. We had a good experience at Mala in the MKT shopping center. While I wouldn't say it was the best Szechuan Houston has to offer, it definitely is a solid option inside the loop. A good place to take out-of-town visitors or just for a date night because you can get dessert a few steps over at Hui Lau Shan or Honeychild's Sweet Creams. read more

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I'm no stranger to Mala Sichuan Bistro, but this was my first time trying the Heights location. I think they were having a good day because the food tasted even better than usual. I was scarfing down every single dish! Mala Dry Pot: one of my favorite dishes of all time. The Mala seasoning was delicious. I would've loved more lotus root! Pork with rice cracker: very tender pork... it contrasted well with the crispy rice crackers. I enjoyed it. Crispy spicy chicken: Not much to say. I always get this dish and it hits the spot every time. Eggplant in garlic sauce: tender and full of garlicky goodness. Don't skip this! Mapo tofu: Classic. They've really solidified this recipe. Spicy, savory, soft... Yum. Sweet and sour crispy fish: saved the best for last. So this was a new dish they were serving! I've never seen it before and ever since I've tried it, I think about it often. I was upset to find out they don't serve it at the Katy location! The sauce is soooo good and the fish maintains its crispiness. They need to make it a mainstay item at every location. It was THAT good. read more

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Slowly trying all the Mala locations!! Mala is one of my favorite restaurants these days. Cumin lamb, mapo tofu, and spicy popcorn chicken are my favorites. Very good portions. I went on a weekday evening and there were only two servers for the full house, so service was sometimes slow. read more

Mala Sichuan Bistro - 麻婆豆腐 Mapo Tofu 风味辣子鸡丁 Spicy and Crispy Chicken - Szechuan Near Me - Houston, Texas

Truly amazing food! Szechuan can be overpowering to me and I was a bit on the fence about going but wow I am SO glad I did! We asked the lower the spice level by one pepper level and it was perfect. Get the water boiled fish, you have to! The texture of the fish is so tender and the sauce is so delicious. I would also highly recommend the Mala beef and the green beans. I'd go back here all of the time if I lived in Houston! My only complaint is the location, it was really hard to find. I wish there was better signage. The inside decor was super nice. Overall the food was a 10/10! read more

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We went in for a weekday dinner and were seated immediately. The food came out within five minutes of our order and we were pretty impressed. We did find a hair in the soup which we told the waiter and was given a new dish immediately. The food was delicious but lacked a little spice compared to the other locations. The interior was clean cut and definitely newer than the other locations. I did feel like the portions were smaller than the other mala sichuan restaurants. They had limited servers so we needed to flag down the server whenever we needed to get something. Overall, would definitely go again when craving authentic Chinese food. read more

Mala Sichuan Bistro - 风味辣子鸡丁 Spicy and Crispy Chicken 麻婆豆腐 Mapo Tofu Seasonal vegetable Fish soup - Szechuan Near Me - Houston, Texas

I came here during the week for a work lunch and was excited to try it after seeing it was awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand. I went with 5 coworkers, and since the dishes are served family-style, we ordered a few items to share: Mongolian beef, spicy fried rice with everything but pork, spicy crispy chicken, mapo tofu, and dry fried double vegetables. Every single dish was packed with incredible flavor. The portions are huge so make sure you keep that in mind when ordering! The meat dishes come with steamed white rice, which is refillable... something we did not realize until after ordering. My personal favorites were the spicy fried rice and the spicy crispy chicken. Both had a great spice level without being overwhelming. Service was extremely fast, which was ideal since we were limited to only an hour lunch. Overall, amazing quality and flavor for the price. I will be back! read more

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Food is absolutely incredible. Great for sharing and ordering the spicy chicken and the eggplant with garlic is a must. Service is very friendly, restaurant is clean, right in the heart of bellaire. I've come back many times and have always left happy. read more

Mala Sichuan Bistro - 鱼香茄子 Eggplants in Spicy Garlic Sauce - Szechuan Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Oh how I love Mala Sichuan! This restaurant is located in MKT which is a beautiful shopping center with cute boutiques, restaurants, and dessert shops that feels makes you feel like you are not in Houston. This restaurant is very nicely decorated with a spectacular ambiance compared to some of the other Mala locations. The waitress was super friendly and promptly brought us water. I had to order my go to dishes: spicy crispy chicken, Dan Dan noodles and water boiled fish. I decided to give the crispy Mala beef a try based on the waitress's recommendation, but I was slightly disappointed and will likely not order it again. The flavor was good, but the beef was slightly tough and just not on par with Mala's high standards. The spicy crispy chicken was perfectly seasoned with Mala spices, and the chicken was super addictive and scrumptious. The Dan Dan noodles set the bar for Dan Dan noodles in my book, and the noodles were chewy and paired well with the sesame sauce. The water boiled fish is always crave worthy with the expertly cooked fish and sichuan sauce and veggies. My diagnosis: Mala Sichuan sets the standard for Sichuan food and never disappoints. read more

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I loved every single dish i tried at this spot! I randomly selected this place because i was on a walk got hungry and found this. it was happy hour (Lucky charm). The place was not packed and Im surprise because the food and the ambience was just great. I sat by the bar and promptly was handed a menu. I wanted to try few things so i ordered: *the wonton sour and spicy: soooo delicious and BIG portion, it came with a side of white rice that was HUGE as well. I got the shrimps /prawns also with that sichuan kick, so so delicious. Needed to have my veggie intake so I ordered the bok choy, what can I say it was perfectly sautéed with garlicky, sesame flavor. *********HANDS DOWN MY FAVORITE OF ALL WAS THE SOUR AND SPICY WONTONS, I IMMEDIATELY FELT THAT STINGY SPICY SICHUAN FEELING ON MY TONGUE********* read more

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Mala has become my default restaurant not only for Sichuan cuisine but Chinese in general. Their dishes carry an authentic flavor that is hard to replicate, even in a diverse city like Houston. For all the first timers, know what you're getting into if you pick this place: "Mala" translates into "numbing spice" in English. Their spicy dishes are the highlights of the restaurant. Although plenty of non-spicy options exist (e.g. Mapo tofu, Yuxiang shredded pork, twice cooked pork), you can't say that you tried Sichuan cuisine without the scent of peppercorns. After taking my friends to Mala several times, their fan favorites seem to be the mapo tofu (not spicy) and spicy fried chicken. I couldn't agree more with the tofu, and of course it's hard to go wrong with fried chicken. My personal favorite dish of all time, as in even outside Mala, is the spicy water boiled fish. It's not for the faint of heart; I have to separate the peppercorns from my rice each time I take a bite, but the savory flavor makes it so worth it. The salt + pepper ribs (way tastier than it sounds), Yuxiang shredded pork, and dan dan noodles also frequently make it into the rotation due to their lovability by most people. It's no surprise that Mala's Chinatown location received a Michelin Bib Gourmand last year. While this location in the Heights lives up to the standard of flavor and service, I've noticed that they serve smaller portion sizes than in other locations. I still make my way here whenever it's convenient for my friends, but I'd prefer the Chinatown, Montrose, or Katy branches whenever possible. read more

Been going to mala Sichuan for years when we lived here in Houston and it's nice to come back and visit them at their location by M-K-T. It's right along the park with plenty of parking but the closest parking lot does get busy. We were seated immediately on a Saturday afternoon when most people venture out for brunch lucky us. The dining room is spacious and bright with comfortable seating. The menu is extensive with a variety of dishes especially for the adventurous. Everything is so flavorful with amazing prices. We ordered the beef brisket with mushroom medley, which on it's own was delicious but compared to the other dishes it was mild but a hit with our daughter who loves mushrooms. The water boiled fish came on a bed of cabbage with pieces of soft, flaky fish on top in a spicy broth. The spicy and crunchy chicken is mainstay Szechuan dish with fried, juicy chicken pieces and chopped chilies. My husband loved the Sichuan style salt and pepper prawns with juicy, large shrimp fried with jalapenos, onions and bell peppers. Then to round it out we got some baby bok choy stir fried with garlic. We ate until we were stuffed and still had leftovers. Totally was just over $100 with tax and tip. read more

Mala Sichuan Bistro - Szechuan Near Me - Houston, Texas

Mala Sichuan is hands down one of my favorite spots in Houston. The flavors are bold, spicy, and completely addictive. Anytime I have family come visit me in Houston, this is the spot I take them. The mouth-numbing peppercorns hit just right every time. We normally get the dry-fried green beans, water-boiled fish, and spicy wontons and of course the crispy chicken. Each dish packed with flavor and perfectly cooked. The portions are generous, service is quick, and everything comes out piping hot. If you love real Sichuan spice and crave that tingly heat, this place never disappoints. A Houston gem through and through! read more

Mala Sichuan Bistro - Szechuan Near Me - Houston, Texas

Good food but service is slow! I had an alright time. The restaurant is pretty small so waiting is awkward. Overall I would recommend the mapo, the cabbage and the spicy crispy chicken. read more

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This place never disappoints! We have visited Mala various times and various different locations but this is our favorite. You can never go wrong with their dry pots. The staff is super polite and the ambiance is just perfect. Highly recommend trying their basil crispy chicken (extra hot recommend) read more

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Really nice ambience inside - decor was great! Smallish restaurant but good location at MKT. The chicken soup was okay - not super flavorful but nice on a cold day. The kung pao chicken eggplant + string beans were both delicious. Split among two of us and still had a little bit of leftovers. read more

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We were quickly seated at 5pm on a Friday. Water was served asap. The menus were falling apart when we got them but goes to show how well loved this spot is. We ordered fried rice and a beef dish and they were both so delicious. Everything tasted super authentic. We ordered the original wontons as an appetizer, but we didn't even end up needing it as the food was served so fast! The fried rice was very comforting and mixed with the beef satisfied our cravings. I've been looking for more authentic Chinese restaurants and this might be the winner! Located in MKT so parking was easy. Decorations and overall interior was very stylish and clean! read more

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I didn't grow up eating a lot of szechuan, so it's not something I'm accustomed to eating or ever really craved. Until a few weeks ago... Ever since trying Mala's "dry pot fish fillet" a few weeks ago, I can't stop thinking of it. It's battered and deep fried basa fillets, cauliflour, crispy potatoes, king oyster mushrooms, celery, and lotus root all *heavily seasoned* with dried chilis, szechuan peppercorns, hot pot sauce and oil... and who knows what other seasonings. Deeee-fricking-lish. We also rounded out dinner with spicy cucumber salad, spicy and crispy chicken, and mongolian beef (which I didn't try, so I can't vouch fot it. It was the least favorite from my tablemate). We also got the "Social Goat" cocktail. Made with Jasmin-infused gin, basil, cucumber, lime, and tonic, it was essentially a really good G&T. Go, and at least order the dry pot fish fillet and spicy cucumber salad for #noregrets. read more

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This place was awesome. Food was top notch. Ambiance was off the charts with the decor. Food: That beef bowl was insanely good. I don't remember which one it was, but show them this picture below and order it. Dan dan noodles: delicious! It's a cold noodle for any newbies (like me). But so good. Udon: this was amazing all by itself. We demolished the noodles super fast lol. Prawns: amazing flavor, and the sichuan peppers in there were the REAL DEAL. Everything was awesome. I'd absolutely eat here again. read more

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Per usual, Mala is always killing it. This was my first time at the Heights location in the MKT plaza, and it was such a vibe. Our group ordered Dry Fried Double Veggies, Dry Pot Prawns, Eggplants in Spicy Garlic Sauce, and Spicy and Crispy Chicken. It was my first time trying the prawns and they were so delicious. Definitely the standout of the night. The prawns were flavorful with a variety of different veggies. The rest of the dishes are always a go to for us. They never let us down! read more

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The food here is spot on. No matter what we order, everything is always delicious. Service is top notch which is always expected from an asian place and the food is hot. Place was packed on a Friday evening around 6 but outdoor seating is available. Because they bring food out so quickly there was a lot of movement so nobody was actually waiting for a table. We had enough food to bring home leftovers. read more

Tried all the locations of Mala Sichuan bistro, and this location is the best! Each time we are here, we leave satisfied with belly happy. This time we ordered crispy beef, lotus root, pan fried dumplings and shredded pork with Beijing sauce. The beef is spicy and numbing, just what I like. My boyfriend had shredded pork, which was tender and delicious. All I all, fantastic good! Will come back soon. Update: recent visit had us enjoy spinach stir, pork with crispy rice, gyoza, and cold beef tendon. All of them are delicious. However, the cumin lamb we also ordered was not to our liking. It tasted gamey(膻气）and hard to chew, not tender at all. Update: highly recommend Dan Dan noodle. The sauce and the texture of the noodle are perfect and we finished everything. The spicy chicken cones and shredded pork were also alright read more

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kept it simple and ordered all my favorites! we got the sautéed lamb with veggies ($17.99), basil eggplant and string beans ($13.99), garlic bacon ($9.99), and nourishing chicken soup with cordyceps mushroom ($4). everything was so good, but the standout dish had to be the garlic bacon (not the best translation) but trust me, it's amazing. thin slices of cooked and chilled pork - rolled with cucumber, then covered in a rich, garlicky sauce made with soy paste, a touch of sweetness, and red chili oil, finished with green onions. it's not spicy, but the flavor combo is unreal. a little sweet, super savory, and just so addictive. we also tried their cocktails--royal horse and social goat ($13). not gonna lie, since it's part of their 12 zodiac drinks, why wasn't it $12? lols read more

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Went with some friends and we got the spicy and crispy chicken, the dry double fried veggies (green beans), the eggplant with spicy garlic sauce, and the beef dry pot. The spicy and crispy chicken was good flavor wise but a bit dry/over cooked in my opinion. The beef dry pot was very flavorful and had authentic Sichuan flavor, I just wish it was less oily and more dry but that is just personal preference. (7/10) The green beans were standard (7.5/10) and the eggplant was a bit overpowered by garlic sauce. (6/10) Overall the ambiance is a nicer casual spot and the service is quick. It satisfies your craving if you are wanting Sichuan flavors. Plenty of parking at MKT plaza! read more

Mala Sichuan Bistro - Szechuan Near Me - Houston, Texas

Mala is my go-to Chinese restaurant within the loop for consistently good food. We often order delivery from them when we want a lazy night in. We ALWAYS order directly with them on their website to avoid additional service fees from 3rd party delivery providers while also racking up points to earn free dishes! Our go to order usually consists of their beef dry pot, mapo tofu with beef, crispy chicken and mala tofu and fish. read more

Food service atmosphere very nice. I've been to the location in Chinatown of bel-Air but this location also has the flavor too as well. Very enjoyable time. read more

Mala Sichuan Bistro - Spicy and Crispy Chicken Aromatic Spicy Lamb Ribs (Halal) - Szechuan Near Me - Houston, Texas

No. We walked in 20 mins before closing and the guy that greeted us (if you want to call that a greeting) said the kitchen was about to close. The food was alright. Learn better customer service skills will no be going back here. Food was alright at best. read more

Mala Sichuan Bistro - Szechuan Near Me - Houston, Texas

Mala - used to have to go to the original in Bellaire but ever since they opened one in the heights, constantly going to this location. Amazing sichuan food as always, and very large portions for a good price. read more

Mala Sichuan Bistro - Szechuan Near Me - Houston, Texas

This is my favorite Mala location out of all of them. The ambiance is 12/10. My group and I got a corner circular booth so we felt like we had a nice big table that felt private while also being a part of the restaurant's atmosphere. The actual quality of the food was my favorite at this location. We got the chili oil dumplings, spicy and sour wontons, and the Dan Dan noodles. The dumplings and wontons had the perfect balance of spiciness to them, and the sauce was flavorful. The Dan Dan noodles were very earthy and rich in flavor, and the noodle texture was amazing. The service was also good - nothing to complain about. read more

Mala Sichuan Bistro - Szechuan Near Me - Houston, Texas

This Mala Sichuan Bistro is located at M-K-T in the Heights. I came on a Saturday night around 7 PM, and it was packed. Finding parking in this location/area is always a struggle and you can expect to circle around a couple times before finding a spot. Luckily, the staff was super friendly and offered a table outside that they just had to clean up. I ordered the spicy and crispy chicken, dry fried double veggies, and the mapo tofu - Sichuan staples for me and the go to for just about everyone. The food came out at a reasonable time given the crowd. The portion sizes were a bit small from what I expected (shared with 3) and definitely could have eaten more but it was relatively on the cheaper side. Since we were seated outside, staff was a bit slow at checking on us, and I had to go inside to retrieve and pay the check - again not faulting the staff based on the crowd. Overall, Mala Sichuan Bistro is a solid option and will visit again! read more

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Absolutely loved everything about this spot. We came for lunch and were seriously impressed from the moment we walked in. We ordered a spread of dishes: Mapo Tofu, Spicy and Crispy Chicken, West Lake Soup, Dan Dan Noodles, and the Baby Pepper and Shredded Beef. Every single one was a hit. The Mapo Tofu was rich and silky with just the right numbing heat. The Spicy and Crispy Chicken was addictively crunchy and packed with flavor. Dan Dan Noodles were perfectly chewy and saucy, and the West Lake Soup had a comforting, savory depth. The Baby Pepper and Shredded Beef might have been my sleeper favorite--super tender and full of bold pepper flavor. The spice level across the board was bold but not overwhelming, which I really appreciated. You still get all the complexity of Sichuan flavors without burning your tastebuds off. The atmosphere was great...modern, warm, and welcoming. There's a really cute bar area too, perfect if you're dining solo or want a more casual setting. The restaurant's located in a nice, walkable complex with plenty of free parking, which made the whole experience that much smoother. Our server was kind, attentive, and made great timing with everything. You could tell the staff genuinely care about your experience. Amazing food, great service, stylish space, and easy parking. This place hits every note. Can't wait to come back! read more

Mala Sichuan Bistro - Mapo Tofu, Spicy and Crispy Chicken, Baby Pepper and Shredded Beef, Dan Dan Noodles - Szechuan Near Me - Houston, Texas

Came in on a weekday around 7pm. They weren't too busy, so we were sat immediately. Our waiter was very attentive, he checked in on us multiple times throughout our service. The restaurant itself was decorated beautifully, the bathrooms are clean, and there's fresh flowers on each table which was a nice touch. As far as the food goes we ordered the cucumber sticks, they weren't out favorite. They had a very strong flavor that we weren't a fan of. We also ordered their red oil dumplings and they were fantastic. Probably my favorite dish we tried. The sauce is spicy and just perfect! We also had Dan Dan noodles, and they were good, not our favorite they needed more pork. The crispy prawns were delicious! We weren't fans of the crackers but the prawns we'd definitely order again. Overall, we really enjoyed our experience and we'll definitely be back to stuff ourselves with red oil dumplings!! read more

Mala Sichuan Bistro - Dan Dan Noodles, Mala Prawns with Crispy Rice Crackers, Green beans , Chillin Cucumber Sticks - Szechuan Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Came here for a reunion with some friends and Mala did not disappoint. This is my 3-4th time to visit this location, but probably my 100th+ time to Mala overall. The food is fantastic as usual. The dishes are spicy and numbing thanks to the Sichuan peppercorns. Everything comes out fresh and flavorful. The spicy pork in garlic sauce is a bit heavy on the vinegar in my opinion, and this has been a recurring problem for a while now across multiple locations. The cripsy chicken is a must although the serving size has been trending down too. The interior is beautifully decorated. This is one of their newer locations, and the design shows. Located in MKT plaza, there are also many other shops and activities around, including a walking trail and Hui Lau Shan, my favorite dessert shop. Parking lot can be busy, but I have always been able to find a spot. The servers were efficient and attentive. We spent some time just chatting before and after our meal, and they never rushed us to leave. Overall, I love Mala and think it is a great place for a shared meal. read more

I love that there's now a Mala location close to me and with all the same hits that had me driving to Chinatown before. Go with friends so you can share multiple things on the menu! It's easy to over order with their extensive list. Favorites in my family include the Dan Dan Noodles, red oil dumplings, spicy crispy chicken, cumin beef, mapo tofu, eggplants in garlic sauce, dry fried green beans, and green tea fried rice. read more

Kinda difficult to find if you are not familiar with this particular area in the heights, as it is on the backside of the parking area, but don't be deterred- This place is soooooo good!! Their sister location the original Mala Sichuan on Montrose USED TO BE my favorite go-to spot for authentic spicy Chinese cuisine, but no longer, because this location is gorgeous aesthetically, and the food is beyond STELLAR!! We had the Couples Tendon dish, red chili oil wontons, and the spicy crispy chicken! Just all so very fragrant with chili's and flavor!! I'm so sorry I forget our servers name, but he was amazing as well. Will be back for sure!!! read more

Mala Sichuan Bistro - Spicy and Crispy Chicken, Red Chili oil wontons, Couples tendon!! - Szechuan Near Me - Houston, Texas

Fantastic food prices and service! Extremely accommodating of our party of twelve. Service was efficient and we did not have to wait long for our food. The dining room was open and spacious - personally I think this is the best looking mala in Houston. We enjoyed all the dishes we ordered, you can't go wrong with mapo tofu and kungpao chicken here. Food was not too spicy compared to other Chinese restaurants I've eaten at by myself, however, I was with a diverse group so this may have been a factor. Not pictured, but the lucky dog cocktail was also fantastic. The monkey zodiac drink was great but definitely stronger. Will be back! read more

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Amazing dishes. Dry pots are 100/10. Cocktail prices aren't too bad either. Tons of options to choose from and I love that their menu has pictures. read more

So so so good. The Montrose location of Mala Sichuan used to be one of my favorite restaurants in Houston, but my last experience there wasn't amazing--I felt that the quality had gone down a bit. But, I decided to give this location (Heights, MKT) a try, and I'm so glad I did! The interior was beautiful, the service was very quick and friendly, and the food was delicious. We ordered the Spicy and Crispy Chicken, the Water Boiled Beef, and the Chillin Cucumber Sticks. Everything was great. The cucumbers seem pretty unassuming but they were a nice break amongst all the Szechuan spice haha. Overall, I highly recommend this restaurant! read more

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Mala will always be one of my favorite Houston staples, and I'm happy to see this new location in the Heights! The interior is very clean, sleek, and modern compared to the Chinatown location. We made a reservation for our party of 6 on a Saturday. The staff was accommodating for the toddlers in our group by providing high chairs and kids bowls. They might not have revolving dining tables, but food is still as great as the other locations. We usually aim for a variety of meat dishes and a couple vegetable entrees for family style. I've also heard that portions are smaller here - did not notice a significant difference myself except for maybe the lamb dish. A few of my favorites to order: - Sautéed lamb with veggies - Eggplants in garlic sauce: one of the more flavorful veggie dishes - Dan Dan noodles: I don't always order this at Chinese restaurants but I love that they are slightly sweet and not too spicy at Mala - Dried fried green beans: they don't have a beans only dish so you have to order "dry fried double veggies" without bamboo - Mala tofu pudding with fish fillet - Spicy crunchy chicken I always leave with a very happy tummy, and will certainly be back for more! read more

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