On the hunt for tongue-numbing mala? Here’s where to find the best mala xiangguo in Singapore

Dajie Makan Place is one of the few stores in Singapore selling halal mala xiangguo with three levels of spiciness to choose from. The Bedok branch serves barbecue hotpot (think of it like mookata) while the Clementi location supplements its menu with Chinese food such as yong tau foo, Hainanese chicken rice and Hakka minced meat noodles, to name a few.

Various locations islandwide. Visit here for more information.

Here at Fu Yuan, the mala xiangguo ingredients are sold by portion rather than weight. As such, the vendors will pick out the ingredients for you and cook it in a dominantly Sichuan peppercorn base that promises to provide a dose of numbness and tingliness.

1 Punggol Dr, One, #02-27, 828629

Need a place to recharge and refuel after a long day of work? Head to Ju Bao Xuan and get your fill of mala hotpot as well as indulge in the grilled sea bass or the fragrant spicy prawns stir-fried in Sichuan spices.

Various locations islandwide. Visit here for more information.

La Bu La has been a favourite, with its highly raved mala xiangguo, as well as the variety of Northern Chinese and Sichuan-style food, so you can get an array of dishes at once.

Various locations islandwide. Visit here for more information.

Yang Guo Fu is a popular Chinese chain restaurant with over 6,000 locations worldwide. While they don’t serve the traditional stir-fried mala xiangguo, they are known for their mala tang (soup). After choosing your ingredients as per usual, pick between Spicy Mala Beef Broth and Tomato Broth or get the Mala Mix, which is the dry version.

Various locations islandwide. Visit here for more information.

Gong Yuan is another establishment that specialises in mala soup. For their Ma La Soup base, you have four levels of spiciness to pick from. But if you can’t handle the heat, they have non-spicy soups too – Tomato, Pickled Vegetable, Pork Bone and Mushroom.

Various locations islandwide. Visit here for more information.

Located within Maxwell Food Centre, Dingdinghong faces stiff competition from many famed hawkers around. Yet, they have managed to pull a crowd with their own take on mala xiangguo and affordable pricing (against other CBD selections). For those who can’t take spicy food, Ding Ding Hong has a non-spicy option too.

1 Kadayanallur St, #01-41 , Singapore 069184

Along with its main star, the mala xiangguo, which is said to be cooked by chefs hailing from Sichuan, 57 Degrees also offers a wide spread of other Chinese dishes, such as grilled fish, fried rice, noodles, and more.

Various locations islandwide. Visit here for more information.

Don’t be deterred by the weird-sounding name of the restaurant. Located in the corner of Djitsun Mall in Ang Mo Kio, fans flock to Ah Gu Kaka Wa for its range of Chinese food, chiefly among them are their frog-based dishes. And of course, the mala xiangguo is another fan favourite that you shouldn’t miss.

5 Ang Mo Kio Central 2, Singapore 569663

Like Yang Guo Fu, Zhang Liang is another popular Chinese chain hailing from Harbin and boasts over 5,000 stores globally. Choose your ingredients then pick from three soup bases to complete your dish – Mala, Tomato and Mushroom, all of which are made with beef bones.

Various locations islandwide. Visit here for more information.

A name that you would have definitely heard of if you love mala xiangguo is Ri Ri Hong. People who can’t handle spicy food would also find Ri Ri Hong acceptable, as they don’t use a lot of Sichuan peppercorn while loading up on garlic instead.

Various locations islandwide. Visit here for more information.

A stone’s throw from Ri Ri Hong, Ma-La is an alternative for those who don’t like to stand in a queue. Unlike the former, Ma-La is more conservative on garlic but employs more peppercorns in its dish. As such, go with a less spicy variant if it is your first time here or if you’re a lightweight in the spice department.

32 New Market Road, People’s Park Complex Food Centre, #01-1060A, Singapore 050032

Mala xiangguo can get pretty oily and cloying, which is why rice or noodles are great at balancing the flavours while fulfilling your carbohydrate needs. Here at Ma La, however, you have the option of having mantou buns with the dish. Pro tip: Don’t forget to get boiled quail eggs to soak up the addictively spicy sauce too.

208B New Upper Changi Rd, #01-48 Singapore 462208

With multiple branches dotted across Singapore, there will definitely be a You Ma You La near you to satisfy your cravings. A plus point is that the brand has fairly consistent standards across all its branches. You Ma You La also charges their ingredients by weight rather than by the number of ingredients, so you can control the portion size and not overeat.

Various locations islandwide. Visit here for more information.

When we think of mala xiangguo, meats and seafood tend to come to mind. But if you’re looking for a healthier option to match the sinful sauce, try Green On Earth. The vegetarian establishment serves up a plethora of vegetables, soy products, mushrooms, as well as mock meats that will satiate meat-lovers out there. So if you’ve converted to vegetarianism or veganism, or want to eat more greens, check this place out.

386 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, The Rail Mall, Singapore 678043

Wan Xing welcomes all night owls and supper fiends. Wan Xing has strong flavours that will definitely deliver the kick you want. Do note that Wan Xing is on the pricier side, perhaps due to it being housed in an air-conditioned setting and convenient locations.

Various locations islandwide. Visit here for more information.

Located within walking distance from Clementi MRT, Joyful Palace Mala is conveniently located for Westies. Fans of mala xiang guo will fall in love with their fragrant, flavourful and spicy chilli and with their pricing by weight, it is also a budget-friendly option.

443 Clementi Avenue 3, Singapore 120443

This article was first published in Singapore Women’s Weekly.

Additional reporting by: Latisha Sonia Shaymentyran