Hey, Faithfuls! So, if you're a fan of mala tang, you've probably heard of Zhang Liang Mala Tang, one of the popular Chinese mala tang chains that has been around since 2020. While newer brands like A Hot Hideout and Yang Guo Fu Mala Tang have gained traction, Zhang Liang remains a solid go-to for those craving a hearty, spicy hot pot meal. I visited their Chinatown outlet for a quick bite before my night shift, mainly because they were one of the few places still open late.

Ordering is simple and self-service. Grab a bowl and a pair of tongs, pick your ingredients from the wide selection available, then bring your bowl to the counter to be weighed and paid for. The pricing is $3.08 per 100g, with a minimum order of 300g. I was pretty hungry and ended up spending close to S$20, but honestly, I ate enough for two people!

Zhang Liang offers five different soup bases. There's the Tomato Soup, which is a tangy, comforting option, and the Spicy Hot Pot, AKA mala tang, which is a classic numbing and spicy broth. They also have Mushroom Soup and Tom Yum Soup for something different.

I went for dry mala, because ... I'm a wuss, LOL. I mean, I really prefer fry mala, AKA mala xiang guo. The spice level was no joke—I had to move to an outdoor table because the heat was making me sweat. Luckily, the staff were super nice and even switched on the fan for me.

For sauce lovers, there’s a free-flow condiment station, similar to Hai Di Lao. You can mix your own dipping sauce with ingredients like coriander, raw garlic, spring onion, soy sauce, and vinegar. If you love coriander like I do, go ham on it!

What I liked about Zhang Liang is that they offer a mix of the usual thinly sliced frozen meats (beef, pork, lamb) alongside fresh cuts of chicken and beef. Their selection also includes a variety of dumplings, from stuffed egg rolls to shrimp har gow and wrinkled prawn dumplings.

Despite the spice level knocking me out, I really enjoyed my meal at Zhang Liang Mala Tang. The food quality is solid, ingredients are fresh, and the late-night opening hours are a lifesaver if you're craving mala after hours. Would definitely return for another mala fix!

Thanks for reading, and see you next post!

Zhang Liang Mala Tang @ Chinatown
Address: 3 Pickering Street, #01-36/37, Nankin Row, Singapore 048660
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 11am to 10pm, Sun 11:30am to 9pm
Telephone: +65 6970 7516
Website