Great food and service, even if you aren't super into spicy food. Will definitely return for dinner.

I drove through the LA area today and decided to try this "hidden" Sichuan restaurant. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The vibe inside is chill and plant-filled, creating a calm, inviting atmosphere that pairs nicely with the bold flavors on the menu.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I ordered Mike's Spicy Beef Noodle Soup (I asked for it non-spicy for myself), and my friend had the regular Beef Noodle Soup. The soups were very, very good, and the beef was tender and well marbled, lending a subtle richness to every bite. The noodles had a satisfying chew--slightly springy with a bit of bite that held up well in the flavorful broth without turning mushy. The broth itself was savory with a balanced chili kick that lingered pleasantly. I also tried the Szechuan Salad. The numb, tingling bite from the Sichuan flavors was pleasantly surprising. Will definitely be back! read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]Yummy chill spot, but it's tiny so you may be up for a wait.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Has some pretty good food, kind of a Sichuan microcosm in Highland Park. Staff is very chill. Street parking in front or nearby. Pleasantly surprising. Beef noodle soup - this was my favorite thing we tried. Comforting numbing spice & the beef is braised well. I wish there was a deeper beef broth flavor though, as it's written over by the spice. Dan dan noodle - plain dan dan noodles. They're good, but I wish they were spicier and used more qq fresh noodles. Sesame noodles - too sweet for me. Not the biggest fan Mapo tofu - wish this was spicier (both spice & numbing). read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]A good intimate spot for lunch.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Arrived shortly after they opened after noon. Our sever was pleasant and informative. They were very clear that the Szechuan style is spicy . we were all in. We asked what were our servers favorite items are. Dan Dan Noodles, Salad, and mushroom fried. We ordered all of them and the fried chicken and dumplings with chili oil. The Dan Dan noodles were most flavorful, it had a sweet flavor on the front end and each bite finished with a low heat of spice. Really enjoyed them. My next favorite was the fried chicken wings. Nice chili flake in the topping gave it a nice flavor. The salad was a refreshing palate cleanser. The mushroom fries were a pleasant surprise. I'm my mind, I was expecting potato fries with a mushroom topping. Nope! These are long mushrooms. Fantastic! Great texture and flavor! My least favorite dish were the dumplings. Now I just had dim sum in Monterey Park a couple days ago, so the bar is pretty high. These don't do much for me and didn't need to try more than one. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Nice place where you can have a leisurely summer lunch with friends.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I recommend doing as we did and ordering a lot of items to share. read more

Mala Class - Dining area - Szechuan Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Tiny little hole in the wall spot that serves a very delicious variety of Szechuan style mala dishes! Food and service were excellent at Mala Class! We ordered the Dan Dan noodles (with an option of pork on the side), spicy beef noodle soup, mapo tofu, and spicy garlic wings. Each of those items were delicious, even with a milder spice level! I would definitely return for more if I'm looking for some delicious Taiwanese meals in Highland Park. It can get a bit busy during the weekends. With a limited amount of seats, so be prepared to wait if you have a slightly larger party. read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Super tiny but aesthetic spot that gets packed as it gets later into the night![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The food was wonderful. Extremely flavorful but with a slightly unique flavor profile that I haven't tasted before for the mapo tofu and cold sesame noodles. The mushroom fries were excellent! Perfectly crispy with a nice seasoning on it. read more

Mala Class - Mapo Tofu, Mushroom Fries, Cold Sesame Noodles - Szechuan Near Me - Los Angeles, California

My friend had tried this spot a few times--he lives a bit closer--and he recommended it as a reasonably priced place to try for our weekly dinner. So off we went, trying to get there on the early side, as it's small (25 seats) and we'd heard it can fill up quickly. We arrived somewhere around 5:45 and were one of only two tables, but maybe a half-hour later it was completely full. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The staff is super friendly, the ambiance is cozy and clean, and I like that the spice levels can be adjusted.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We opted for the cucumber salad, dan dan noodles, dumplings in chili oil and the mapo tofu (which my friend wanted to try, since he hadn't yet). Food came out quickly, and while I realize that's not uncommon, I wouldn't have minded just a little more spacing. Still, it wasn't so quick to be a problem. My favorite items were the dan dan noodles, which were addictively delicious, and the dumplings in chili oil, which are longer and flatter than some and more flavorful than most. The cucumber salad was also excellent and a nice palate cleanser between other items. I was probably a little less enamored of the mapo tofu. It was good but not quite at the level of the other dishes for me. I still remember the mapo tofu served at the late, great Ricebox in DTLA, and theirs had much more flavor punch. But all in all, Mala Class was excellent, and I'd be happy to return to try more of the menu (and maybe repeat a few faves!). read more

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mala class has been on my list for ages but Highland Park is a bit of a stretch, so I came with a friend on a Thursday for lunch. Parking was pretty chill at that time (snagged a street parking spot in front) and there was no wait. The dan dan noodles had a nice chew to them and the flavoring had the perfect hint of spice against the peanut sauce. The wings were a little too overseasoned -- we had to shake off all of the peppercorn on the top and it was still pretty salty and peppery (but not THAT spicy). They were perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, though. The dumplings and chili oil were probably my favorite bite. They're like wontons except they didn't do the last fold, and the sauce they are in is very well-balanced with a strong hit of acid against sweetness. The mapo tofu needed some sugar to bring out the flavor of all of the spices because otherwise it felt like there was no real flavor, where there were a million spices working against each other. I would definitely pass on this one but everything else was pretty good. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The interior is very classically Highland Park-esque and our server was super nice![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I would come back to try other dishes. read more

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I've been wanting to eat here for a while and Wish I had sooner. That numbing sauce is outstanding. I brought a friend for lunch, there were a few tables occupied. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It's a small seating area but it's simple, bright and comfortable.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The server knew the menu well. She recommended the Dan Dan noodles for my first time. We also ordered the fried tofu with garlic sauce and the pork dumplings. Unfortunately, my friend can't handle heat, so those items we were sharing couldn't be spiced up. My friend had Mikey's beef noodle soup and I had the Dan Dan noodles very spicy. Everything was delicious. Will definitely come back for some numbing sauce! read more

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Truly delightful dinner experience here. I hadn't had Szechuan food in a while so I only had vague recollections. But, everything I tried here was quite good. I shared several smaller plates with my friends, including the mushroom fries, Dan Dan noodles, Szechuan salad, and the dry pepper fried tofu. Everything was well-flavored and with the right amount of seasoning. I especially appreciated the tofu texture: the exterior was nice and crispy and the inside soft but not soggy/too moist. I am usually not a fan of Dan Dan noodles but these were surprisingly light and easy to eat. The noodles were well-prepared and flavor was good without it feeling heavy with excess oils. Salad and mushrooms were on point as well. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Staff were nice, service fast, and the inside was nice ambiance / seating.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I'll definitely be by again in the future. read more

Recommend comíng in early as there isn't much seating and an ample wait time during the evenings leading into the weekend. Our party of 4 waited for 45 minutes, despite arriving at 6:30pm. Concerned we were not as it afforded our group enough time for us to walk down to the local barcade for a couple of fun goal arounds at the pinball and multiplayer racing games. The mala is so tastefully done here with the wings and the fried mushrooms (not pictured), stealing the show. The Dan Dan noodles prepared at bedside was a nice touch. Highly recommend for a unique and fun dining experience :) read more

Mala Class - Mala Wings - Szechuan Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I have driven past this place on York and was always curious so I decided to stop by. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It's a small, homey, and intimate interior. Makes you feel like you are at someone's home in a welcoming way.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I got the dan dan noodles (I liked the peanut sauce, but not a lot of pork with the dish), dumplings ( solid, nothing crazy), and apple soda (a little too sweet, but I enjoyed it). The dishes were solid, decent seasoning I was expecting a bit more in that department. Overall, it's a solid spot nothing too impressive. It's a cool spot to do small plates. They did forget about drink so I did have to remind my server, but overall service was alright. If you want expand your taste buds a bit give this spot a try. read more

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New favorite spot in highland park, wow! Garlic soy wings - 5/5 - holy crap, probably the best wings I have had in my entire life. We loved it so much we ordered 3 plates for my party of 3 so we each had one lol. They taste like Korean fried chicken. There are 4 pieces and they are all flats (my favorite!) very large sized pieces and the flavor was unreal. Favorite dish at this place. Dan Dan noodles - 5/5 - amazing! Great portion, flavorful, no peanuts which is great for those allergic, and just get this. Mushroom fries - 5/5 - I've never had mushroom fries before, but these were addicting and I could not stop eating them! The dry seasonings was so good I wish they sold it. Dumplings - 4/5 - great dumplings! The sauce was incredible Mapo tofu - 5/5 - I don't eat this but my husband thought it was insanely good. Very spicy so order mild if you can't do spice. Service - 5/5 - all servers very friendly, knowledgeable in the dishes, and attentive! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Ambiance - 5/5 - very cute inside! It's quite small, and they don't take reservations so I recommend coming early. Not the best place for a large group though because of the size.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Parking is easy, we found parking right out front the two times we visited. Overall found my new obsession! read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]Came here with my friend on a Sunday afternoon and it wasn't crowded at all.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We had to find parking on the street which was kind of inconvenient since it was a far spot away. The food was great! My favorite was the Mushroom fries and Beef Noodle soup. Everything was of course a little spicy and had a mala flavoring, so if that is something you enjoy, I would recommend this place. The entire bill came out to be $58 (not including tip) which is pretty decent for ordering 4 dishes. read more

Mala Class - Mushroom Fries, Mala Wings, Beef Noodle Soup - Szechuan Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Great food in Highland Park! Parking, I was able to find street parking on a weeknight. It's a cute little restaurant, but their flavors are amazing. I was addicted to their mushroom fries! Like you can munch on it while watching TV or something. Staff were also friendly and accommodating. Their chicken wings were plump and flavorful! I shared with my friend, and we didn't want to overeat, so we chose 2 dishes and the mushroom fries as an appetizer. It was more than enough. Would recommend this spot 10/10! read more

Mala Class - AMAZING FLAVORS! - Szechuan Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Went to Mala Class last as a walk in on Saturday night around 6pm and the wait was ~20 minutes, which was great. The tables moved fast. The staff were very friendly and walked us through the menu. Interior is simple and minimalist with about 8 tables. I had just gotten back from a trip to Sichuan so I was excited to see how Mala Class would compare. We got the mushroom fries, salad, cucumbers & tofu skin, chicken wings, and cold sesame noodles. The standouts were the salad, mushroom fries, and wings. Definitely not as spicy as Sichuan, but that's to be expected. read more

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Absolutely love this place and how close it is to my apartment! I came here last weekend with a friend after much contemplation of what to eat. The restaurant was a bit farther down York Blvd. than I expected but not too far. There was ample street parking when we arrived, which was at 5:30 PM on a Saturday. [[HIGHLIGHT]]We sat inside the restaurant and there weren't too many people.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] To be honest, both my friend and I came into the restaurant with a bit of doubt, seeing how the restaurant wasn't in your typical, bomb Chinese food area. Boy was I mistaken. The staff were incredibly nice, especially our server, who not only gave us recommendations, but also told us what to expect as for spice. I really appreciated the personal touches he added by playing with our pride for spice Now, as for the food, I thought all of it was exceptional, minus an item or two. First, the chili oil dumplings, I think they were just okay. We liked the chili oil but the dumplings weren't anything too special. However, the cucumber and bean curds and the mushroom fries... don't even get me started with how good they were, especially the fries! Absolutely ingenious to make mushrooms like that, especially with that spice powder that they toss them in! As for the mains, the dan dan noodles are a must have! They serve it table side and it looks a bit lighter than most dan dan noodles I have had, but the flavor was incredible. I liked the mapo tofu as well, but the noodles were the star! Overall, I wouod definitely come back here! [[HIGHLIGHT]]On weekends, however, I would opt to get there when they open; once we finished our meal, at 6:15-30 ish, the restaurant was packed!![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

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I've seen the hype online, but honestly not crazy impressed...I do give props for not being crazy expensive though! My friend and I came at 4pm on a Wednesday, looking for a late lunch / early dinner situation since we were busy. We definitely should've checked online first, but just FYI: they are closed 3:30pm - 5pm (our fault for not checking!!). We waited the hour and came back at around 5:15pm. Since dinner service had just started, there was only one other party inside, and we were seated immediately. The space is relatively small with around 6-8 tables, and it was full by the time we left. The menu is very tiny with approximately only 15 items. We got the szechuan salad, fried tofu, and mapo tofu (medium heat). We expected strong spice, so we ordered a bowl of rice for $1.50. The food came out relatively quickly. The salad is a mix of romaine and red cabbage, and the standout is the jicama, which is unique to me in a salad. The dressing was too vinaigrette-y for my liking, but I appreciate the effort to add in spices and diversify from Western salads. The tofu dishes came out next. I think my issue with the two was that they were not mala -- it was neither spicy nor numbing. Granted, my spice tolerance is quite high, but the flavors weren't there for me. Despite being sprinkled in red pepper, it did not have flavor. The fried tofu was, in my opinion, bland, and the pepper flakes did not add flavor. The crunch of the tofu was great, but I guess I'm used to the aromatics seeping into the soft part of the tofu. We ordered the medium level of the mapo tofu, but I wish we'd gotten the extra spicy. I'm not sure if there's a lack of peppercorns or whatever, but it was not numbing in the way I anticipate Sichuan to be. I did not need the rice at all to offset the spiciness or numbness. The dish was also much more soupy than I have seen before - it made the rice too soupy. Rather than the spicy flavor popping out, what stood out to me was the salt - the dish was very salty even when mixing it. I appreciate mala class's innovative attempt to bringing a somewhat western approach to Sichuan food. I think the dishes I ordered didn't live up to my expectations as they were somewhat more authentic dishes (and also lacked ingredient diversity with two tofu dishes haha), but I see high potential in dishes like mushroom fries and mala chicken wings. read more

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-dumplings: flavorful and sweet, not spicy Would be able to retain more spice and save sauce if served in a bowl instead of a flat plate -Dan Dan noodles: can feel numbing spice Server mixed it for us -chicken wings: crispy and juicy, less spicy than noodles (looks spicier than it tastes) dry-rubbed Small tables inside (may have a longer wait time ) Quick service: ordered food and served it quickly Inside: Worth it for quality of food and for date nights (long-term couples). It's good for casual dining settings read more

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came to mala class for the first time for lunch and had the beef noodle soup. so good nice chunks of beef, nice chewy noodles and clean spicy broth. Will def be back. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Design of the space is chill and calm.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Service was good and i was in and out of there in 30 min read more

Mala Class - Szechuan Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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The chicken wings are soooo good! We really enjoyed the appetizers. Service was very nice and welcoming too. I don't know if I loved the mapo tofu, it was too salty for me and tasted like crawfish boil but if you like crawfish boil you will like it. Spicy noodle soup tasted fine but it was too oily in my opinion. I would come back for those wings! read more

Mala Class - Szechuan Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I want to express how delicious the food is and how friendly the team is at Mala Class. My party of five visited recently, and even though there wasn't an obvious table available, the team quickly created one for us, and we only had to wait a few minutes while it was being set up. The Dan Dan noodles were brought to our table and mixed for us, which was a nice touch. We also ordered several small plates and the shrimp plate, and everything arrived promptly, one after another. The mushroom fries were especially delicious! We truly loved the food and the relaxed atmosphere, which made our lunch perfect. We were a bit short on time, so we particularly appreciated how efficiently the waiters handled our bill. It was a hot day, and we also appreciated that they consistently brought us cool water. Overall, we felt incredibly welcomed and well taken care of. Thank you for a wonderful dining experience! read more

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We were choosing between here and Woon and we'd never been to Mala so we said let's do it. Seating is first come first served, and we waited about 20 min for a 2-person table. There were two other parties in there with 4+ people. Great atmosphere and not super noisy, crowded, etc. The staff were super friendly and shared some of their favorites from the menu. We went with the cukes and bean curd, mala wings (dry rub and saucy), dumplings in chili oil, dan dan noodles, and garlic sauce shrimp (with rice). The standouts were the mala wings and dan dan noodles. I'm normally not a fan of a saucy wing because of the mess -- but these are sooo worth the stickiness. Do it. The noodles had a great umami and I kept going back for more. I also loved that the waiter mixed the noodles for us and explained the dish - nice touch! I loved the sauce that came with the dumplings, but I wanted more flavor from the filling. Still tasty though. We had plenty of food for 2 people and I think 3-4 people would be the perfect amount for what we got. read more

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Came for the spicy beef noodle soup. Stayed for the mushroom fries. Mala Class is a cozy cute shop that focuses on Szechuan flavors where mostly of the key has some spice, though if you're used to Sichuan flavors, it'll be mild at most. Beef noodle soup had good flavor. Broth was tasty - I would've liked a little more depth but in lieu you'll get that mala flavor to give it a slightly different than usually taste. Beef bites were really good - tender, flavorful, and or though won't have the cartilage you'll find at a SGV spot. Dumplings were skippable. Filling was a dense piece of meat that would've benefited from a little more seasoning or leek as it ate a little flat after one. Mushroom fries were delightful. Wasn't sure what I was expecting but it's a very nice, lightly fried mushroom where it eats like a soft Asian puff chip. Nice light crunch on the outside with an enjoyable fleeting chew where it still tastes like a fry vs too much mushroom flavor. Pairs nice with some chili oil as well. Service is nice - light touch read more

$27 for dumplings in chili oils and some wings.... I've been pushing myself to try new restaurants in the neighborhood always reluctant because I know that a lot of these new businesses are overpriced and underwhelming. I decided to give this one a shot and my sentiment rings true. Look at my photo and tell me whether that's worth $27. The dumplings were subpar. I've definitely had better dumplings from frozen. The wings were decent, but again not worth the money. And much rather drive over to the SGV and get some real food for a lot more affordable prices. I'll gladly spend the money on food if it's worth it and this was definitely not worth it. Overall, a solid 2.5 I would say. I'm not gonna go back even though it's so close to me. read more

Mala Class - Dumplings in Chili Oil and Mala Wings - Szechuan Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Came here on a weeknight at around 6pm. Was able to get a seat no problem, but, yes, it filled up shortly thereafter. To start we got the salad, which I thought was fine. The flavor was good, but it tasted a little like a salad at home versus a fancy restaurant salad (i think they needed to use a different type of lettuce that would hold up to the dressing). We also got the fried mushrooms which were... interesting. Due to the type of mushrooms (enoki?) the mushrooms don't really have any flavor themselves so you basically are mostly just tasting "fried batter" along with the Szechuan seasoning. So, these were fine. I really thought there should have been some sort of dipping sauce because it was a little too "one note"without it. My wife got an apple soda drink which she thought tasted like Martinellis but it did have an additional layer of caramel flavoring. I liked it. For mains, we got a dan dan noodle. I really liked the flavor. I did think the noodles were a little too overdone though. We also got a mapo tofu with rice which I liked a lot. The sauce had a really deep flavor (and there was a lot of sauce). Lastly, we got the garlic sauce shrimp which we both really liked a lot and was probably our favorite dish. They do fry it with the bottom of the shells on the shrimp which makes it a little weird (but you still can eat it). The service was excellent and everyone was very pleasant and hospitable. [[HIGHLIGHT]]And the place itself is really cute--it feels like you are in someone's house.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] And everything was very fairly priced. So, overall, I would definitely recommend but there are a few tiny things that could be done to take it up another level. read more

it's a small cozy spot. there was plenty of street parking on a friday night. the service was attentive and friendly. they mix the dan dan noodles for you at the table. the dan dan noodles come with pork as a default but we got the vegetarian version. the szechuan peppercorn is prominent but not too strong. the shrimp dish had too much onion for my taste. i liked the cukes and bean curd, but wanted more bean curd. the mushroom fries were pretty good when they were hot. read more

Mala Class - Cukes and Beancurd - Szechuan Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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So affordable, so good, food comes out really quickly and the crew is very nice and work well together. The food is delicious, even though a bit on the saltier side for me, but I'm still really pleased that this place is here. I came here with friends and we ordered about 6 dishes and can't wait to try the rest. I can't wait to come back for the mushroom fries :). read more

Mala Class has been one of my favorite meals that I've had in recent memory. I loved how affordable and delicious it was! Most items were really tasty (mushroom, dan dan noodles, tofu and wings). We had some that were okay (dumplings and sesame noodles). I personally don't recommend the shrimp as it was nothing special. It's a small space and can get very packed, but luckily there's plenty of parking on this side of York! Overall, I will be back! read more

Mala Class - Mushroom Fries, Dan Dan Noodles, Mala Wings, Dumplings in Chili Oil, Dry Pepper Fried Tofu, Cukes and Beancurd, and Cold Sesame Noodles - Szechuan Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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We met up with a few friends here for a weekend lunch, and the experience did not disappoint! FOOD: everything was delicious. The standouts were the Dan Dan noodles and beef noodle soup, both of which were incredibly flavorful. If you're in the mood for appetizers, the dumplings in chili oil, fried tofu, and chicken wings were all yummy. SERVICE: kind and efficient, but not rushed. We heard the waiters explain to each table the basics of Szechwan cuisine and that dishes could be adjusted per spice level, and they also asked about allergies. AMBIANCE: minimalistic and laid-back with plenty of green pothos plants. Lots of natural light in the restaurant, as well. PARKING: ample free street parking in front of the restaurant and in nearby neighborhoods. TIPS: would recommend getting there right at 12 pm when they open. By 12:30 on a Sunday, there was a pretty significant amount of people waiting to be seated, and seating is limited in the restaurant. read more

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Really only loved one of the dishes -- fried chicken -- that was really good. Most dishes were ok but plenty of other Szechuan places you can go with bigger selection and similar price and a bit better food IMO read more

Amazingly authentic szechuan food and flavors that are excellently sweet and salty. The spice levels aren't too insane and the Apple sidra is a must have when dining here. Definitely will be coming back! read more

Mala Class - Apple Sidra - Szechuan Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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A really unique spot with great dumplings and wings as well as noodles soups and more. The real standout is the sauce you get to dip the dumplings in. I wish they'd bottle this stuff up and sell it. read more

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In and of itself, this small-ish cafe in Highland Park has delicious Sichuan style food with a pretty streamlined menu and reasonable prices. The menu has some of the staples that you would expect on a Sichuan menu as well as a few fun dishes or creations that is even friendly for vegetarians. The folks here seemed laid back and very friendly. As part of the rich tapestry that LA has in terms of Chinese food, Mala Class makes flavorful and quality Sichuan food more available (an additional option at reasonable prices) for people that don't live out in SGV and/are not willing to drive out there for food. Either way, I'm a big fan of this spot. I came here with a couple of friends and we've been wanting to check this place out for a while. We ended ordering a few things and sharing it family style including the spicy beef noodle soup. Other items we got were the dumplings in chili oil, the mala wings, the dan dan noodles, and the mushroom fries. I thought all the flavors and textures were pretty much on point and thoroughly enjoyed my meal. The spice level wasn't overwhelming either. Parking was really easy. Not sure if I came here late on a Sunday night or got lucky, but I was able to park along the street right across from the restaurant. Maybe it's just a less busy area of Highland Park in general. read more

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If you want spicy Chinese food, this is your spot. Not too many items on the menu but the items offered are very tasty! My favorite is the dan dan noodles and the beef soup. The service is warm and attentive. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Place is hipsterish and the tone is low.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Quaint place with small but excellent menu.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Loved everything we ordered! Walked in on a Thursday night, the place was full the entire time but no wait. read more

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Weird but good... Everything spicy Good luck with your nonnspicy friends. read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Nice/casual environment, nice staff, quick service.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Fantastic food profiles. Got the cucumber salad (8), the Dan Dan noodles (9), and the fried chicken wings, mala style 9). Everything fun and spicy, mouth on fire at times, but wouldn't trade it for the world. We are definitely coming back. read more

What a great restaurant nestled in Highland Park by the junction of Los Angeles and South Pasadena, near the 110 freeway. I stumbled upon this restaurant while searching for a Sichuan restaurant because I was in the mood for something spicy and noodly. It was a fantastic found because the restaurant was very cozy, with warm and welcoming ambiance as well as very friendly staff. We were seated right away because we arrived outside of peak hours. But I can see this restaurant being a wait if you arrive during peak hours since it probably seats somewhere around 20 people total. The service was very attentive and since the space is small and cozy, it's also easy to call over one of the staff to get help with the menu or other requests. I went as a party of 2 and ordered the spicy beef noodles, mushroom fries, bean cukes and beancurd. The spicy beef noodles was just the right amount of spicy to get me sweating and really taste the flavor, but if you are not used to spicy food, I do recommend asking for "light on the spice". The mushroom fries were soooo good (of note, I love fried asparagus at Nicks's on Lake, so I love these type of new-age fried veggies in place of the traditional potato fries); I definitely recommend you try the mushroom fries if you have a love of mushrooms and fried food. The bean cuckes and beancurd, which was recommended to us, had a refreshing and light flavor, as such it paired very well with our fried mushrooms and spicy noodles. I would 100% recommend this gem of a restaurant and will most definitely come back to try the other items on the menu! Parking is on the street, but the street has plenty of space and can park on both sides of the street as you see fit. read more

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This place is good for the area, but if some flavor was amped up or there was more protein added, it would be rated higher. Dan Dan is good, skip the sesame noodles. Chili oil wontons could have more meat with thinner skin. ===============** Dan Dan noodles $15? The best of the bunch! Adequate amount of noodles with a tingly porky sauce. I would have wanted some pickled cucumbers or something to offset with some tang, but overall 4/5. Sesame noodles $12 Comforting to a degree, but didn't blow my mind. Would pass on this one. The pickled cucumbers help make it interesting. Pork wontons with chili oil $9 The pork filling felt a bit minuscule and the wonton wrapper was a bit on the thick side. Sauce on top was good tho cuz it was sweet and savory. Only a few tables, so if you come in a larger group you may have to wait. Service was pleasant and friendly, we were tended to. Bae and i did enjoy the Dan Dan noodles the most tho! read more

Mala Class - Cold Sesame Noodles, chili oil wontons, Dan Dan noodles - Szechuan Near Me - Los Angeles, California