Hello dear
Welcome to Mala Tang
At Mala Tang, we celebrate the vibrant flavors of Sichuan cuisine, blending tradition with a modern twist. Located in Arlington, VA, our restaurant invites diners to experience the unique thrill of crafting their own hot pot dishes. With a diverse menu that features delectable options like wine-marinated beef and flavorful dry pot stir-fries, we offer something for every palate, including pescatarian, vegan, and vegetarian choices. Our casual atmosphere is perfect for gatherings, complemented by amenities such as outdoor seating and fast delivery. At Mala Tang, every meal is a culinary adventure worth sharing.
About
Mala Tang
Welcome to Mala Tang, a vibrant gem nestled in Arlington, VA, where the flavors of Sichuan cuisine come alive! Specializing in fascinating hot pot and dry pot experiences, Mala Tang stands out as a perfect culinary destination for both adventurous eaters and those seeking comfort in delicious, familiar tastes.
At Mala Tang, guests embark on a delightful journey of creating their own meals. The concept of cooking your own hot pot allows for a personal touch; you choose your proteins, vegetables, and spices, ensuring every bite is tailored to your preferences. Customer favorites include the wine-marinated beef and the delectable Dong Po Braised Pork, both of which are praised for their robust flavors and quality. As one reviewer shared, “I loved the wine marinated beef with my build your own hot pot option!”
The menu here is extensive, showcasing the richness of Szechuan cuisine. From the eclectic offerings of dry pot—a unique stir-fry method with your chosen ingredients—to their selection of vegetarian, vegan, and pescatarian options. Whether you're dining in or opting for takeout through platforms like DoorDash, the food remains a crowd favorite, as highlighted by many patrons who rave about the fast service and quality meals.
- Reservations & Accessibility: Mala Tang welcomes reservations, making it an excellent spot for group gatherings or family dinners. The venue is wheelchair accessible and offers outdoor seating for a relaxed dining experience.
- Happy Hour & Menu Variety: Indulge in happy hour specials while exploring a menu that champions inclusivity with numerous vegetarian options alongside traditional Szechuan dishes.
- Payment Options: Not only does Mala Tang accept Apple Pay and credit cards, but it even embraces cryptocurrency, catering to modern diners.
Despite its culinary prowess, some visitors have noted the pricing can be on the higher side compared to other establishments. Nonetheless, the stunning preparation and flavors showcased in both the hot pots and dry pots often justify the cost, and loyal diners appreciate the restaurant's commitment to quality.
As we navigate the modern dining era, Mala Tang also includes conveniences such as catering services, waiter service, and a kid-friendly environment to accommodate families looking for an enjoyable meal. Plus, for those furry companions, dogs are welcomed too!
In summary, Mala Tang provides not just a meal, but an engaging experience that celebrates the vibrant flavors of Sichuan cuisine. With a casual ambiance and a diverse menu, it's a place where each visit can unveil a new favorite dish. What’s stopping you from trying your own hot pot adventure at this lively eatery? Make sure to add it to your dining list! You won’t be disappointed.
For more information, call (703) 243-2381 or visit them at 3434 Washington Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201. Dive into the culinary delights of Mala Tang, where every meal is a personalized adventure!
People talk
Our Guestbook
“ Came here for an afterwork dinner craving some Chinese Sichuan cuisine, even though I can't handle too much mala "numbing spice", I did enjoy my dining experience here at Mala Tang! Here's all the food items we got: Spring Rolls Dandan Noodles Salt & Pepper Fish Drypot w/ Lamb, Bamboo Shoots, Napa Cabbage, Bok Choy, Enoki Mushrooms Spring rolls were thick and came out freshly fried, piping hot. Dandan Noodles for a small plate app came with a good portion, and nice flavors in the meat and sauce. Mixing it with the noodles, which had a really good texture, was a great combination! The Salt & Pepper fish was nicely cooked, still tender and moist with a crispy exterior, I wish there was a bit more seasoning and garnish with the chili, onions, garlic, etc, but still a tasty dish, definitely my fav. Drypot with the Sichuan mala was delicious and had a large portion, the lamb protein we got with it was also super tender, and the veggies were cooked and absorbed a lot of the drypot sauce! The service was friendly and helpful when deciding what to order, which is great! The ambiance is alright, there was no music playing or anything at the time I was dining so it was rather quiet, but I do appreciate how spacious the restaurant is. ”
“ A delicious spot for spicy Sichuan food! The mala spice here is unmatched. The service is super quick and the food was so good. Chili Oil Wonton - great way to start the meal! I wish I could bottle up the chili oil and take it home Beef Noodle Soup - It's a massive bowl! You can share it if you want. I recommend asking for it spicy to add a little kick. Dry Pot - I've never had dry pot, but I loved the spices on it. You get to build your own but I highly recommend adding noodles and dumplings. The lamb and beef were fantastic! I couldn't get enough of it. ”
“ My first visit to this lovely restaurant. Famous for the hot pots. You get an individual pot to cook your meat & vegetable choices. You can spice your broth to your taste and create the dipping sauces of your choice at the sauce bar. We had a large group, so every item we selected was put on the lazy Susan. Our waiter explained the process and helped with selecting our choices and cooking times. Put the noodles in last, so you don't lose other ingredients in the broth. A fun time enjoying Asian cuisine in a new way. They do have a standard menu with spring rolls, kung pao chicken etc. Full bar. They warn you at the door, they are understaffed. So be mindful if you are in a hurry. Thanks Yelp for the 10% discount for check in. ”
“ Cook your own Sichuan hot pot in a lively spot at mala tang I loved the wine marinated beef with my build your own hot pot option! The Dong Po Braised Pork was so delicious, a must have whenever I see it on the menu ”
“ I really love the Szechuan style food here. It's such a great change of pace from the typical Chinese or hotpot restaurant. They offer dry pot which is a really cool way to have a Szechuan style stir fry with all your favorite hot pot ingredients. They have a huge menu to select from and you have to pick at least three items if you order dry pot. Most of the time I come here, it's not too packed despite the really large location. Parking is a bit difficult to find because it's tucked away behind the restaurant but they do validate parking as well. If you come during the holidays, it's always very nicely decorated. A great place for a big gathering with their large tables. One down side is that it is pretty pricy for the dry pot if you're ordering at least one protein it can come out to about $40+. There's definitely other places that are cheaper or all you can eat hot pot but this is the only place so far that I've found dry pot. ”
“ Still good for takeout if you order on DoorDash. On UberEats, Mala Tang now manipulates opening hours (they are clearly open and yet on the app it says won't be open till much later). Also: on UberEats, after I put everything in the cart and was ready to check out, suddenly Mala Tang says nope, you can only pre-schedule it (1 hour later). Just so much nonsense. They were good in the past. I shifted to DoorDash and everything worked smoothly. I selected picking up right now. It worked. Mala Tang is fast as usual. Still giving them five stars thanks to fast service and good food (as well as good range) This time I tried their hot pot kits (to cook at home). Nicely done. It's December so they have a Christmas tree up, but it looked sad. No decor. No nothing! Just a sad tree. It's okay for we don't come here for the tree. ”
“ I never understand why this place is never super crowded when their food is so nice. Dry hot pot is good. But that mala bites combo wasn't super good. Meat was too chewy. ”
“ Came here with a friend and was excited to see the opportunity to try a "dry pot". Many know and have had hot pots (broth, protein, veggies, etc) however I'd never had a dry pot and I absolutely loved it !! The spicy fish entree was also very tasty. Too many peppers in some bites but overall tasty. - they only offer wine, no additional spirits or cocktails. I would say try the various sauces they have on their sauce bar to determine the flavor profile of your hot or dry pot. Also they have an outdoor/patio section but you cannot get hotpot outside according to server. Which is a shame because the hotpot is technically not plugged in and just a burner so didn't understand that but life goes on. ”
“ Came here for an afterwork dinner craving some Chinese Sichuan cuisine, even though I can't handle too much mala "numbing spice", I did enjoy my dining experience here at Mala Tang! Here's all the food items we got: Spring Rolls Dandan Noodles Salt & Pepper Fish Drypot w/ Lamb, Bamboo Shoots, Napa Cabbage, Bok Choy, Enoki Mushrooms Spring rolls were thick and came out freshly fried, piping hot. Dandan Noodles for a small plate app came with a good portion, and nice flavors in the meat and sauce. Mixing it with the noodles, which had a really good texture, was a great combination! The Salt & Pepper fish was nicely cooked, still tender and moist with a crispy exterior, I wish there was a bit more seasoning and garnish with the chili, onions, garlic, etc, but still a tasty dish, definitely my fav. Drypot with the Sichuan mala was delicious and had a large portion, the lamb protein we got with it was also super tender, and the veggies were cooked and absorbed a lot of the drypot sauce! The service was friendly and helpful when deciding what to order, which is great! The ambiance is alright, there was no music playing or anything at the time I was dining so it was rather quiet, but I do appreciate how spacious the restaurant is. ”
“ A delicious spot for spicy Sichuan food! The mala spice here is unmatched. The service is super quick and the food was so good. Chili Oil Wonton - great way to start the meal! I wish I could bottle up the chili oil and take it home Beef Noodle Soup - It's a massive bowl! You can share it if you want. I recommend asking for it spicy to add a little kick. Dry Pot - I've never had dry pot, but I loved the spices on it. You get to build your own but I highly recommend adding noodles and dumplings. The lamb and beef were fantastic! I couldn't get enough of it. ”
“ My first visit to this lovely restaurant. Famous for the hot pots. You get an individual pot to cook your meat & vegetable choices. You can spice your broth to your taste and create the dipping sauces of your choice at the sauce bar. We had a large group, so every item we selected was put on the lazy Susan. Our waiter explained the process and helped with selecting our choices and cooking times. Put the noodles in last, so you don't lose other ingredients in the broth. A fun time enjoying Asian cuisine in a new way. They do have a standard menu with spring rolls, kung pao chicken etc. Full bar. They warn you at the door, they are understaffed. So be mindful if you are in a hurry. Thanks Yelp for the 10% discount for check in. ”
“ Cook your own Sichuan hot pot in a lively spot at mala tang I loved the wine marinated beef with my build your own hot pot option! The Dong Po Braised Pork was so delicious, a must have whenever I see it on the menu ”
“ I really love the Szechuan style food here. It's such a great change of pace from the typical Chinese or hotpot restaurant. They offer dry pot which is a really cool way to have a Szechuan style stir fry with all your favorite hot pot ingredients. They have a huge menu to select from and you have to pick at least three items if you order dry pot. Most of the time I come here, it's not too packed despite the really large location. Parking is a bit difficult to find because it's tucked away behind the restaurant but they do validate parking as well. If you come during the holidays, it's always very nicely decorated. A great place for a big gathering with their large tables. One down side is that it is pretty pricy for the dry pot if you're ordering at least one protein it can come out to about $40+. There's definitely other places that are cheaper or all you can eat hot pot but this is the only place so far that I've found dry pot. ”
“ Still good for takeout if you order on DoorDash. On UberEats, Mala Tang now manipulates opening hours (they are clearly open and yet on the app it says won't be open till much later). Also: on UberEats, after I put everything in the cart and was ready to check out, suddenly Mala Tang says nope, you can only pre-schedule it (1 hour later). Just so much nonsense. They were good in the past. I shifted to DoorDash and everything worked smoothly. I selected picking up right now. It worked. Mala Tang is fast as usual. Still giving them five stars thanks to fast service and good food (as well as good range) This time I tried their hot pot kits (to cook at home). Nicely done. It's December so they have a Christmas tree up, but it looked sad. No decor. No nothing! Just a sad tree. It's okay for we don't come here for the tree. ”