Hungover?
Chilly?
Under the weather?
Need a facial?
Or a free detox?
Because you how that hot pot chili oil rolls...
Bubble guts and the hershey squirts are the truth!
On my perpetual search for outdoor dining, I found Wu Ji's Mala House on yelp. I'm not from the South Bay so I've never heard of this place but apparently they've been open for 16 years so obviously they're doing something right!
Wu Ji's Mala House serves individual hot pots and they're open for takeout, delivery (Chinese apps), indoor dining, and outdoor dining in the Pacific Rim Plaza II.
Arrived at 11 am, when they supposedly open but there were already two tables eating so maybe they open earlier.
Mask mandate is lifted but the lone server still wears a mask and gloves.
M E N U
* Individual House Pots, pork bone broth, non-spicy ($19.45- $21.45)
* Individual Mala Pots, spicy ($20.95-$22.95).
--Mala pots come with offal, the house pots do not.
--Includes choice of rice or noodles (clear or instant ramen), cabbage, and shacha (?) dipping sauce.
--Spice levels for mala pots: .5, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 which corresponds to the amount of chili oil. So, the higher the level, the more chili oil.
--Extra sides ($1.95-$11): Beef, lamb, tendon, fish balls, pork, tofu, corn, noodles, egg, etc.
Beer and sake available.
CASH or Zelle only.
F O OD
* 羊肉麻辣鍋 Lamb Mala Pot w/ veggies, tofu, fish ball, beef tendon, beef tripe, pork intestine, veggies, tofu, glass noodles ($22.95): https://bit.ly/3rG1dA6
***Requested spicy level 1
***Added egg ($1.95)
The lamb mala pot arrived with an instant flame starter that created a roaring boil that stayed that way until the flame went out about 20 minutes later. You can't control the flame and it shoots out at times so don't try to get a facial here....
You may end up with missing eyebrows.
The mala pot was hot and comforting...perfect for a drizzly day. Love that the thin, raw slices of lamb were placed on top so you can control the cooking temp. You get one piece of fish ball, several slices of beef tendon (needed to be cooked longer), several slices of soft honey comb tripe, and several pieces of meltingly soft pork intestine. The veggies (mainly cabbage) and glass noodles were fine...I think I would try the instant ramen next time since I like thicccer noodles.
I love spicy...like AZN burn your bunghole spicy but I'm glad I got spicy level 1.
As other reviewers stated, the spicy levels do run spicier than the norm and though, it wasn't hella spicy, it still packed some mala numbing heat without the broth being drowned in oil. I had errands to run afterwards so not trying to get the squirts.
The shacha (?) dipping sauce was savory, smoky, sweet and packed with umami goodness.
TIP: Ask for a takeout container to bring the broth home, go to H Mart down the block for more meat, and BAM you can make another meal outta of this...maybe two meals.
S E R V I C E
Very friendly, attentive, and fast. Not even 30 seconds of bringing the menus to us, we were asked if we were ready to order. Lol. Typical.
Our individual hot pots were ready in about 10 minutes.
The owner and lone sever checked in with us several times, offering water refills and to provide a new flame when ours went out. Appreciated, though unexpected given there were reviews about the bad service.
A M B I A N C E
Hole-in-the wall with a handful of two-tops, three booths, and counter seating. There's 6 dog-friendly tables outside in the plaza. Even though it was drizzly out, the outdoor seating was pretty much covered.
P A R K I N G
Easy parking in the plaza.
Overall, pretty solid individual hot pots. I do like Tasty Pot a bit more but being able to control the temp of your meats is big plus. Also, Wu Ji's is a locally-owned small business, not a chain so more reason to support these guys! read more