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    Mala Chili

    4.3 (190 reviews)
    ModerateChinese
    Closed 11:00 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)
    Updated 3 months ago

    Order Mala Chili Takeout or Delivery

    Mala Chili Photos

    MALA CHILI ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Mala Chili

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    General tso chicken
    Christina G.

    First time here. We've been on the hunt for all of the live crawfish, Asian Cajun style in Austin. I found out about Mala Chili via a Foodie FB group I'm in. So here we are. We arrived around 7:40p Saturday evening and this spot is bumpin busy and very lively. The outdoor patio was even packed. We were so lucky as a walk-in party of 2, a table was being cleaned so we were able to be seated quickly. Our server brought us each a tablet to order our food. I ordered the cucumber salad and general tso chicken with fried rice. My man ordered 2 lbs of live mala style crawfish $18 per pound (min 2# per order) with 5 shrimp. He also ordered the sesame chicken dish. Our food came out within 10 minutes, super fast. The crawfish took a little bit longer because I believe they make it fresh. Here's where it gets interesting. My man said his mouth was tingling and his tongue felt funny and when he took a drink of his tea it tasted super weird. Come to find out, the crawfish mala sauce has Szechuan peppercorn which has a numbing tingling effect to your tongue and mouth. We did not know this before we ordered. So He thought he was having an allergic reaction to something. We asked our server and she explained a traditional mala seasoning. I highly recommend that this is listed on the menu item as a forewarning to those that have never had the Mala live crawfish here before. Sadly, there were a lot of crawfish wasted tonight because He wasn't able to eat them all That seasoning just did not agree with his mouth or taste buds at all. :( But....The general tso and sesame chicken dishes were tasty! Another call out, We both ordered ice tea at the beginning and it came out pretty quickly, But no one returned to our table during our time here to offer refills or to check in on us after everything was delivered. I understand the restaurant was busy when we arrived but it slowed down while we were there. We may return to this location if we are in the area to try other dishes but unfortunately, he is unable to eat the live crawfish due to that one seasoning. Everyone was super friendly and I recommend trying the restaurant if you haven't before it.

    Mapo Tofu
    Allie H.

    Overall this place is great! I loved the mapo tofu. It was delicious. The skewers are also a must order. They were so good!

    Sarah P.

    Great food; good portion size, nice staffs Got noting to complain about! Great for family style dinner!

    Andrew W.

    Mala Chili is hands down one of my favorite Chinese restaurants in the Cedar Park and Austin area. If you love bold, spicy, and flavorful dishes, this place does not disappoint. Our go-to orders are the mapo tofu, string beans, and their eggplant dishes--each one packed with that addictive mala flavor that keeps you coming back for more. The prices are very reasonable, and the portion sizes are generous, which makes it perfect for sharing (or enjoying leftovers later ). As a vegetarian, I really appreciate how many plant-based options they offer, and every dish we've tried has been consistently delicious and well-seasoned. If you're craving authentic Chinese food with great flavor and solid value, Mala Chili is absolutely worth a visit. A must-try spot!

    Chinese Braised Eggplant
    Joseph H.

    Fast service, great food, happy customer. We came here today with some friends at around 4:30pm and it was easy to get a table and order. Today, we went with the Westlake Soup, Chinese Eggplant, Green Beans, Spicy Fried Fish, and Cumin Lamb. It took less than 10 minutes for everything to come out hot and fresh. As always, the food continues to impress us. Each dish was uniquely prepared and seasoned for a balanced meal. We were given a batch of rice which we were able to get refilled easily when we ran out. For a group of 5, five dishes were just the right amount of food with no leftovers. They do have private rooms if you'd like to host a gathering here. Ordering is the same as dining in the main dining room and a server checks in throughout your time there. Parking is easy with the shared lot and other businesses next door. Home Depot is within walking distance here and its parking lot could be an option if all the parking spaces are taken up in front of Mala Chili. Our bill came out to be just shy of $100, tip included. That's a fair price given the portion sizes and quality of food and service. We'll be back!

    Crab Rangoon (6Pcs)(15Min) 6(15)
    Brooke D.

    Recently ordered the yuxiang chicken for take out and it was a great sized lunch special! I have never had a bad experience here and always love the food.

    Spicy Boiled Fish In Chilli Sauce
    Sarah M.

    This place was pretty decent. It is pretty oily and the portion size is small. Nothing really stood out to me with any of these dishes, but they were able to accommodate our large party of 14 ( I think?). There's two private rooms so that was nice and you can order everything off an iPad.

    Charmaine S.

    My son visited from San Antonio and was craving for crispy duck and there's no other place I would come for it to brag on than Mala chili. It comes with the yummy soup! The hot sauce and duck sauce combined was a topper and the crispy duck was a great amount of yummy serving. Service was great as usual and the iPad ordering system was very efficient. Clean and hope we get to try the outdoor skewer food truck they showcase! Also the best fried rice it brought me home

    Purple rice yogurt drink
    Montana M.

    As a native Houstonian who loves Szechuan food, this place is amazing.. every dish was so authentic and flavorful. Portions were great. The service was even better, and the restaurant was very clean and comfortable. Great ambience, we will be coming back at every opportunity. Best wontons I've ever had in my entire life.

    Lamb skewers and lamb kidney skewers
    Sheila L.

    Ok now they have a truck outside from 4pm till midnight that serves up skewers and other flame (bbq) dishes!! I had their lamb skewers and lamb kidney skewers! They were so tasty! You can get no spicy, mild spicy, and spicy heat. Nice seating outside for after restaurant hours. The service is awesome as well they are so friendly and attentive. The prices are great also!! I'm going back there for sure!!! (Note: ya gotta go there as they are not on any delivery service for the skewers!!!)

    Promo May 2026
    Stephen O.

    Crawfish is surprisingly great! There's a non spicy version. Others are good, not typical American Chinese food.

    General Tsos Chicken 左宗鸡
    Kamilia L.

    Is it authentic; Yes! Is it good; No!. The coolest thing about this spot is the tablet ordering system that sends orders directly to the kitchen. We ordered 2 egg drop soups, scallion pancake, and chicken dumplings, General Taos chicken. The soup had a crap load of gluten in it as it was gummy. It was not just broth. The scallion pancake was greasy and the steamed dumplings came out dry. The chicken was definitely large chunks, moist, covered in sauce but it was thick and unflavored. I came for a day date. I was impressed but it was palpable however my date hated it. He simply refused after the egg drop soup. I tried chilling oil too but it didn't work.

    Sichuan Style Bacon. Mala Dry Pot Fish. Spicy Chicken
    Samantha J.

    If you're craving authentic Sichuan with a fun unique robot experience, Mala Chili is the spot! We had heard a lot about this hidden little gem inside the H-Mart parking lot, but didn't expect the flavors to we ate to be so satisfying and soul warming! They even have an adorable and hilarious robot server that had us giggling and grinning from the start. FYI- The menu is HUGE--like, "you'll need a second to process this" kind of huge--but thankfully, the manager was incredibly informative and helped us narrow it down based on our flavor and meat preferences plus gave us some insights on the spice tolerance. While everything we ate was SUPER tasty, let's talk about the stars of the show: The Mala Dry Pot Fish -- hands down a must-order! We're always hesitant to order fish at a Chinese restaurant, because we get nervous that it will smell or taste fish, but we can hands down say that this was one of our FAV's!!! It was perfectly crispy, not fishy at all, and PACKED with flavor! The Spicy Chicken and the Fried Shrimp with Crispy Rice felt similar in flavoring as the dry pot fish and super easy to pop in your mouth and eat! So crispy such a MUST! The Male Lamb Shank is a MUST for lamb lovers! Massive in size and the accompanied veggies were also to die for! The Scallion pancakes were a classic and so crispy! The 1/2 order of Peking Duck to make duck tacos and enjoy some glass noodle soup was also super fun and we LOVED the sauce and broth it came with! Don't skip the bubbly drinks! We got the Golden Bubbly with no added sugar--and it was perfectly refreshing and just sweet enough to cool the spice. Passion Fruit Panna Yotta was the perfect dessert finish!! Creamy, sweet and tangy!! Bonus: you can BYOB, and we did just that with some cerveza! Portions are generous (come hungry or bring a friend with big chopstick energy), service is speedy, and the whole experience was way more fun than your average dinner out! Whether you're a Sichuan pro or curious newbie like us, Mala Chili is absolutely worth checking out!

    Half Duck Soup

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    5 months ago

    Outstanding place! Love the Kung Pao chicken and Dan Dan noodles. I could go every week :-)

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    4 months ago

    Authentic enough. Too far from Austin central though. Open one near downtown and will visit it again.

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    Page 2 of 5

    Mala Chili Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Mala Chili

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    Qi Austin

    Qi Austin

    4.4
    (894 reviews)
    14.6 mi
    $$
    Family-owned & operated
    Outdoor seating

    Went to Qi for dim sum brunch and overall had a really enjoyable experience. Qi is know for…read morecombining western and traditional Chinese cuisine by using local organic farming. Did not have a reservation on this occasion, but they always make me feel welcome and manage to fit us in. Sat on the outdoor covered patio that was cool and shaded. The atmosphere is modern and lively, making it a great spot for a weekend brunch. Started the meal with cocktails including Lycheetini with Deep Eddy Vodka, Giffard Lichi-li. lemon, cranberry, I cut the cranberry. Also had a Fresa Paloma with Socorro Reposado Tequila, Contratto, strawberry, lime, grapefruit, five-spice that was very sweet and garnished with a flower. You are given a card where you can mark your dim sum selections. I ordered the Shrimp Pancake, Snow Crab Ball and Chinese Sausage Sticky Rice. The standout was the shrimp pancake that had a really great texture and flavor. The snow crab ball had a strange texture with shrimp surrounding the snow crab claw. The Chinese Sticky Rice is always a favorite. Also ordered the Truffle Egg Fried rice and Birds Nest with Seasonal Vegetable. The Truffle rice is so flavorful like a flavor explosion in your mouth. The Birds Nest is made with fried potato shreds which contain the a variety of vegetables including cauliflower, peppers, mushrooms and asparagus. The nest is also edible and has a crunchy texture. The presentation of the food is amazing and everything came out hot and fresh. The flavors were on point, and you can tell there's attention to detail in the preparation. Service was attentive outdoors and the pacing of dishes felt just right for a relaxed brunch. This restaurant is truly a gem whether you come for brunch or dinner service. Will definitely be back.

    I wasn't as blown away by the service and menu as I hoped- but continue to hear great things so…read moreI'll be back. Can't recommend the truffle fried rice or soup dumplings enough. The chicken basil pot stickers and pork belly were good.. but a bit dry for my taste. However, the sauces they offer were all good. Martini was a jump scare in color but taste was on pointtt! Service was fine but we were out front on the patio and though our waiter was attentive while we ordered, we ended up finishing and waiting 40 minutes for someone to come by so we could grab the check. I ended up just heading inside and the maître d' was able to close us out. Tables around us were open so I'm not sure what had them held up, and it could've been a one off, but definitely not ideal at this price point.

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    View from the Patio
    View from the Patio
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    1618 Asian Fusion

    1618 Asian Fusion

    4.7
    (4.1k reviews)
    16.6 mi
    $$

    If you're looking for one of the best Asian dining experiences in Austin, put 1618 Asian Fusion at…read morethe top of your list. I came here on a word-of-mouth recommendation, and I was intrigued before I even sat down. The restaurant itself is gorgeous. As soon as you walk in, you're greeted by a beautifully designed waiting area showcasing the restaurant's many awards and accolades. It immediately sets the tone that you're in for something special. We came with one goal: try as many things as possible. Saturdays are perfect for that because they offer dim sum. We started with the Pho Xiao Long Bao (Wagyu beef soup dumplings) and the Korean pancakes. The soup dumplings completely stole the show. Perfectly cooked, delicate wrappers, rich and flavorful broth, and with just a touch of chili oil...absolute perfection. I've had soup dumplings in many places, and these are hands down the best I've ever had. I say that with my whole chest. The Korean pancakes were also outstanding. Crispy on the outside, tender inside, with that perfect balance of savory and just a hint of sweetness. Every bite had great texture and flavor. For our entrées, my husband ordered the Banana Salmon. It was spectacular. It's one of those dishes that makes you question whether you've ever really had good curry before. The spice wasn't about heat, it was about depth, warmth, and layers of beautifully balanced flavor. I ordered the Crab&Shrimp Tom Yum Coconut Fried Rice, and this dish deserves its own paragraph. The presentation alone is stunning. The fried rice is served inside a fresh coconut, surrounded by banana leaves and topped with a beautiful orchid. But thankfully, it tastes every bit as incredible as it looks. The coconut adds a delicate sweetness without overpowering the dish. The crab was plentiful, sweet, and incredibly fresh, while the shrimp were perfectly cooked, not a second overdone. Dishes like this require impeccable timing because every ingredient cooks differently, and somehow every single component was flawless. It was one of the best fried rice dishes I've ever eaten. The service was equally impressive. Everyone was warm, attentive, and happy to offer recommendations based on their most popular dishes. They even told us about their live music nights, which immediately gave us another reason to come back. The table next to us was having Pho and needed with the mango sticky rice and I am coming back for that. Overall, 1618 Asian Fusion delivered on every level, beautiful atmosphere, exceptional food, and genuinely welcoming service. It's one of those restaurants that leaves you planning your next visit before you've even paid the bill. Highly recommend!

    Their lychee martini is to die for. I'm not a big fan of lychee as fruit but combined with…read moremartini, it turns into something else, so gooood!!! The lunch was delicious and the interior is modern and cool. They have some live concerts on some of the evenings and that's when I want to come next time.

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    Chicken Pineapple Fried Rice
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    Twin Panda

    Twin Panda

    4.5
    (431 reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$

    Soooo good! I asked on next-door what was good for Chinese food near me, several people recommended…read moretwin panda although it was a little further than I wanted to drive I'm glad I did! Shrimp and walnut prawn very delicious good size portion nice big shrimp and not gooey . Combination fried rice has plenty of meat. Great flavor and shockingly also has large shrimp. Mongolian beef because I thought I had to give it a try most Asian places I am very particular and don't like chewy meat. Very good not chewy! Bakmi Ayam noodles with chicken and mushroom very good. I like this more than I thought I would. I also appreciate that it had fresh greens on top. it's also served with some chicken broth. I did not use it yet, smells amazing though. When I walked in, I was greeted by two friendly young ladies. I placed my order and waited. I do not have a large waiting area. They also do not have a large dining room. I would love to come back and bring friends as it's a very cute place and the staff is very friendly. Small and casual decor would be a great place to come with friends. They do have some Asian beer in the back cooler. I can see from where I am standing. I apologize, not taking a photo of each dish however I didn't think about it until after I made my plate.

    Soulful flavors and a welcoming vibe defines this restaurant. The hostess was so polite and…read morefriendly. The restaurant is small yet cozy, decorated with Asian themed art. We ordered the tofu hot pot with chicken and vegetables. It comes with a side of white rice. The dish is prepared in a spicy sauce, served in a clay pot. The Indonesian rice noodles with tofu, vegetables and egg were very tasty. We were also offered complimentary wontons with sweet and sour sauce as a starter.

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    Tso Chinese Takeout & Delivery

    Tso Chinese Takeout & Delivery

    4.4
    (269 reviews)
    16.8 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Catering service

    Great for takeout! They're so quick and everything tastes exactly how an American eats Chinese…read morefood. The pad Thai is wonderful and the crab rangoons have plenty of filling. I like this place for easy lunches and dinners.

    UPDATE: I changed this review from 3 stars to 4 stars... I had contacted the Tso's comments page…read moreand relayed the issues. I promptly received an email acknowledging the issues, with promise to communicate that forward. I also received a credit. The timeliness of the response made it clear to me that there is an eye to quality control and that there's earnestness in making things better. I'll raise my "C-" to a "B-" and will give them another chance. ------------- Delivery: It took 1hr 25min for an order of soup, spring rolls, and lettuce wraps to be delivered... on a Monday... after lunch rush... when the restaurant location is less than 2 miles away. Online order: 1:03p; food in hand: 2:27p. That was a bummer. It's normally 30-40 minutes. Food: The small container of the dipping sauce (packed in the spring roll container) had a warped, melted lid... it was packed at the top of my complete order bag, and I suspect that it sat under a heat lamp for about 40 minutes. The spring rolls were soft and pithy and soaked in in the sauce. Kinda yucky. No crunch left. Food: I ordered chicken lettuce wraps. That came in a bi-partition container; lettuce on one side and chicken on the other. The lettuce was totally limp. The lettuce was dark green and looked like it was the nasty stuff you might peel off of a head of lettuce that sat too long in your refrigerator drawer. I'm sure it started out fresh when the meal was packed, but putting it in a container with hot food, and then next to a container of soup, and then letting it all sit under a heat lamp for 40 minutes did it no good. I did contact Tso's online and suggested that they pack lettuce separately for their lettuce wraps. Food: The chicken, the hot & sour soup, and the spring rolls were all a bit salty... saltier than usual, IMHO. Tso's is usually a solid "B", but this meal barely met a "C-".

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    Tso Chinese Takeout & Delivery
    Fried Rice, General Tso Chicken, Lettuce Cups, Potstickers, World Famous Crab Rangoons, Drunken Beef Noodles from Tso Chinese

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    Fried Rice, General Tso Chicken, Lettuce Cups, Potstickers, World Famous Crab Rangoons, Drunken Beef Noodles from Tso Chinese

    Mala Chili - chinese - Updated July 2026

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