If there’s one food craze that’s taken Singapore by storm it’s got to be Mala! Originating from Sichuan province in China, “mala” literally means “numbing spice” and this fiery sauce made with Sichuan peppercorns has been delighting spice lovers everywhere. There’s just something about that numbing feeling that makes it so alluring. ?Even fast-food joints like KFC (click to watch our review!) and 4Fingers have come up with mala-inspired dishes on their menu! Thankfully, with more halal eateries in Singapore popping up, there’s also been a wave of halal mala eateries for you to get your mala fix. ? So, if you’re a “die-hard” mala fan, then this guide is for you! Read on for the top 7 places in Singapore for halal mala!
1. Mala Hot Pot, Paya Lebar Square Cantine
There are so many halal options in Paya Lebar— from authentic Chinese hand-pulled noodles to Sichuan dumplings. So, it’s no surprise that you can get your mala fix here too! Head over to the Cantine food court at the basement of Paya Lebar Square to have a taste of this spice paradise.
At first glance, you might just mistake this stall for a yong tau fu stall as the set-up is the same. Pick a good mix of your favourite ingredients, let the staff know your preferred spice level — mildly spicy, spicy or extra spicy — and you’re all set! You can also opt for a dry or soup version. For a kick to your taste buds, we recommend choosing spicy or extra spicy but do note that the taste isn’t that numbing. The mala gravy is also really rich in flavour and it gets even spicier as you get to the bottom of the bowl. Don’t forget to get ready a glass of water before you dig in! ?
#HHWT Tip: Though the ingredients might add up to a pretty large amount (more than $10), the portions are quite generous and it’s perfect for 2 to share, so no need to order separate portions unless you’re really hungry!
Halal status: Halal-certified
Average price: $10 Opening hours: Open daily; 7AM - 10PM Address: 60 Paya Lebar Rd, Paya Lebar Square Basement 1, Singapore 409051 Facebook
2. Mala Hot Pot, Changi City Point Kopitiam
Tucked all the way in the east, Changi City Point's Kopitiam food court is filled with amazing halal food options and one of them is the Mala Hot Pot stall! The mala gravy here is super flavourful (but not too overwhelming!) and the numbing sensation is pretty mild. So, it's great if you're looking for a perfect balance between spice and numbness.
We recommend getting the dry mala to soak up all the flavours. What we love is that the spice levels are really accurate too - you will get what you choose ? The only downside is that the items here are pricier than other mala eateries on the list so do take note of the prices while choosing! To get your money's worth, we recommend sharing with your friends.
Halal status: Halal-certified
Average price: $17 Opening hours: Open daily; 8AM - 9.30PM Address: Stall 12, Kopitiam Food Court, #02-01/02 Changi City Point, 5 Changi Business Park Central 1, Singapore 486038
P.S. Think all the good halal food is only in Singapore's east? Think again! We've got 11 awesome halal places that'll prove the west can still be the best! ?
3. Mala Hotpot, Hillion Mall Kopitiam
This one is for all the westies! In need of a spicy hotpot soup to warm you up this rainy season? Mala Hotpot at Hillion Mall is where you should go ? The variety of ingredients here is quite limited as compared to other mala eateries on this list but you can still find your standard items like lotus root, sausages, black fungus, mushrooms and potatoes. Get their Mala Hot Pot (soup version) and you’ll find yourself slurping a bowl of piping red soup. Challenge yourself to the highest level of spice — it’s spicy even for those with a high spice tolerance ?
But if you don’t intend on burning your tongue with hot soup, we recommend getting the dry version instead. Although this stall ranks high on the spice list, it doesn’t really have that numbing factor. In terms of price, it isn’t too bad either. You can spend around $20+ for a big bowl to share among 2–3 people.
Halal status: Halal-certified
Average price: $15 Opening hours: Open daily; 7AM - 10PM Address: Stall R1, #02–15/16/18/19/20 Hillion Mall, 17 Petir Rd, Singapore 678278
4. Yi Zun Beef Noodle
You might have heard of Yi Zun Beef Noodle as the first stall to serve halal Chinese hand-pulled noodles in Singapore. Well now they've got Mala Pot into their menu too! Priced at $16.80, the pot includes various ingredients including seafood, sausages, mushroom, vegetables and tofu. Chicken is also available, but you can't customise your own pot which might be a hit-or-miss for some. However, you can choose from 4 spice levels - no spice, mild, medium and hot!
Credit: Ridzuan Ng
The Mala Pot is perfect to share if you're looking to savour their other dishes too. Pair it with mouthwatering treats like their Xinjiang Lamb Skewers, hand-pulled noodles ($9.80) and baked fish for a satisfying meal ☺️ Halal status: Muslim-owned Average price: $9-$13 (Mains) Opening hours: Open daily; 11AM - 10PM Address: 60 Joo Chiat Road, #01-08/09, Singapore 427726 Contact: +65 69099287 Website | Facebook | Instagram
5. Beef King by Yassin Kampung
The latest halal Lanzhou hand-pulled beef noodle stall in Singapore, Beef King was actually set up by the popular Yassin Kampung restaurant! Located in-between the Marsiling and Woodlands MRT stations, their affordable prices and rich beef noodle broth are what make them a must-try in the North. They have a Mala Beef Noodle soup that sets them apart from other Lanzhou beef noodle places that spice-lovers will adore!
Halal status: Muslim-owned
Average price: $6
Opening hours: Open daily; 10.30AM-1.30PM, 5PM-8.30PM
Address: Blk 4 Woodlands Street 12, Marsiling Mall #01-44, Singapore 738620
Contact: +65 96914782
6. Hai Chi Jia Suan La Fen
Want to dine on some tongue-tingling mala noodles without leaving the house? Hai Chi Jia's viral Suan La Fen noodles are just what you need! Coming with a sour and spicy soup laced with peppercorns, the noodles are springy and chewy and your tongue will definitely feel a little numb before you even finish the bowl. ? Add in some sausages, seafood, or egg to really bring it to the next level! Personally, I didn't find it too spicy and it's okay for those with a lower spiciness tolerance too! Click here to find out where you can purchase these for a late-night Mala snack. Are you already itching for that numbing sensation? Then, it's time to gather your fellow mala lovers for a feast and fire up your taste buds ?
