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    Mala Panda

    4.7 (109 reviews)
    ModerateChinese, Seafood, Hot Pot
    Closed 11:30 am - 8:30 pm
    Updated 1 week ago

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    Beef Dry Pot

    Food is good fair priced and the service is fast. There's tons of seating and usually isn't crowded at peak times

    Hot pot and dry pot
    Tiffany L.

    I was craving malatang when visiting NYC and this place came up on my search. Honestly, it's a great malatang establishment when it comes to fresh ingredients, but I'm giving it 4 stars because I asked how spicy was the medium and he said "if you can handle spicy it's not that spicy". I got the dry pot and I came with two others who got the hot pot. We all asked for medium spicy and it turns out, we all thought it was too spicy. Normally when I visit a new restaurant I err on the side of caution and get the mild, but I think something about being in the city made me feel like being a risk taker. I wanted to enjoy the dry pot but the heavy spices took away from the individual flavors of the ingredients I got.

    Dry Pot
    Jacquelyn C.

    Portion sizes here can get massive especially if your eyes are bigger than your stomach. I got the drypot and the seasoning here is flavorful and yummy, but was a little watery the day I came--not sure if this was just a fluke. There's lots of options to choose from which I love and there's a tax-cut if you pay with cash!

    Kailyn L.

    Nice quick casual place to grab malatang near midtown. They have a good selection of vegetables and meat, and there's a sauce station where you can mix your own dipping sauce. Solid place!

    Veggie bar
    Kimberly N.

    Very cool concept! They allow you to pick your own vegetables and stuff. There's also a freezer of more meat options behind it on the other side which I didn't realize. I thought it was ice cream lol. The service was nice and she explained it after I paid

    dry pot
    Fiona O.

    Did a custom dry pot. Ended to be around $50 with tip which is a bit pricey for two people. However, food was great! It took 15 minutes before they got the food to us, and everything worked together well. There's also unlimited white rice which is a plus. -1 star for the price, but service and food was good!

    Nhi B.

    Omg, I wish this existed in Orlando!! I love Dry Pot and this is pretty much my heaven. Like most reviews have stated -- you can either order off a menu or create your own dry pot or malatang. We got one of each where I got the medium and my husband got the spicy. Trust me when I say it's HOT. The medium was perfect for me, but it packed a big punch. Both dishes were amazing, but I preferred the Dry Pot. It's $15/lb, but make sure that your eyes aren't bigger than your stomach! I finished my pound of food and was soooo stuffed. It's definitely good for take-home, but we were only visiting and didn't have a convenient way to reheat leftovers. Variety of meats, seafood, tofu, veggies, and more was really good! So many good options to choose from. We also ordered rice on the side to eat with the dishes. Service was good and attentive. The staff here are really friendly. The interior is bright, eclectic, and fun. Maybe it's good they're not near me because I would be here every week. Highly recommend!

    Interior
    Matthew H.

    I'm surprised that I haven't heard of this place before recently, considering how yummy it was! I was very impressed with the selection of ingredients available -- so many different types of fresh veggies, noodles, fish balls and the like, and a variety of cuts of meat. I did feel that the meats were just a tad lacking in terms of quality (just didn't taste the most tender), but also I didn't notice the frozen meats until I was nearly done assembling my ingredients (and I think they were better haha). You can choose if you want the type with broth (mala tang) or without (mala dry pot) and the price is based on the weight of your ingredients (I think $16/lb now). My order ended up being around 1.3lbs, which was super filling (and only around $20!) Other than the mala tang/dry pot, there's also a menu that you can order off of (hot pot, etc.). Prices are especially good, since there's also no tip (mostly self service) and no tax if you pay with cash. It also comes with unlimited rice for free (you just get it yourself as much as you want). Definitely super impressed at how tasty and affordable my meal here was -- will definitely be back :)

    1.55 lb
    Christina L.

    Such a delicious but dangerous experience..... Kind of lost control my first time here and ate my entire 1.55lbs of food and was so full I had to stand 45 degrees while waiting for the train. They have a large variety of options for you to choose for your pot at $15.99 per pound which you can do dry or soup. I like the dry pot here: their sauce is full of flavor and I love the mala spice which actually leans more towards spicy than numbing. I find the mild still has a bit of a kick, and the medium was a bit overwhelming for me as someone who can do about 2.5-3/5 on the spicy scale.

    Foodie E.

    From picking my favorite ingredients to crafting the ultimate custom sauce at the sauce bar, my dry mala bowl at hits every flavor note -- spicy, numbing, and totally addictive. You can build your own mala bowl exactly how you like for just $15.99/lb. Don't miss the crispy fried pork and fried tilapia, and finish it off with the brown sugar jelly that makes this spot even more irresistible. Follow me @foodie.elite on IG and TikTok for more!

    Ray E.

    One of the best dry hot pot places I have been to in the city. Staff is very chill and restaurant is roomy and comfy. Selection of veggies and meats are great. Can't wait to come back

    Nicole N.

    I was craving mala dry pot and mushrooms so I decided to stop by this newly opened restaurant! Similar to places in China, they offer a fridge wide of ingredients for you to select and you pay by weight. I picked a whole 2.5 pounds which came out to about 45 dollars, which is on the pricey side for this type of food - but I'll take it because their sauce was flavorful and savory enough! Although I initially opted for medium spicy, the server advised to try mild first and I wish I didn't follow her recommendation. I appreciated how the ingredients were cooked thoroughly, even those with different cooking time (veggies vs potato glass noodles). Loved the variety of ingredients like fish balls, noodles, veggies. Their meat was also solid! The beef pieces were very tender. I would be interested to try their malatang next time! I would like to point out that the counter space and tables weren't the most clean (just some grease on surfaces or unwashed herb). Staff were nice and diligent. Good amount of seating. Food came out quick!

    Carmen P.

    When you walk in, grab a bowl, and fill your bowl with ingredients. There's a huge wall with different meats, veggies, seafood, and noodles. Then bring your bowl to the register and pay by the weight and choose the flavors/spice level. They take your bowl to the back to cook and you can head to the back seating area. The dry pot here really hit the spot! I enjoyed my meal dine in but did notice a few flies flying around.

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    4 months ago

    -- Would recommend for dry pot! Lots of options and great service. We were seated right away, given suggestions, and tried dry pot

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    1 year ago

    The food did not disappoint! As a Mala lover, I really enjoyed the variety and taste of the Mala dry pot. Will be back!

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    1 year ago

    This is my second time here and it's my favorite! I think it's the best malatang place in the city

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    Page 2 of 3

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    Review Highlights - Mala Panda

    Like most reviews have stated -- you can either order off a menu or create your own dry pot or malatang.

    Mentioned in 15 reviews

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    Excellent Dumpling House

    Excellent Dumpling House

    4.1
    (873 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    As the name implies, it really is an excellent dumpling house!…read more Me and my buddies were in Jersey and New York for some hockey games, and wanted to go to a deli, get some Chinese food, and a slice of pizza. Got off the E train and when we looked for Chinese food, this place popped up with good reviews and it was just a short walk from where we got off the train. My buddies ordered the special lunches and we also got two types of xlb's, beef chow fun, and some fried dumplings. The special lunches come with a little fried rice, cold garlic flavored noodle, choice of egg drop or hot and sour soup, and main side. My buddies all enjoyed their meals. The beef chow fun was also really good and beef was nice and tender. The xiao long baos were excellent and is comparable to any place in California like DTF. Nice and juicy and great with some ginger, soy sauce, and spicy chili. Friendly service and food comes out pretty quickly. Credit card is accepted. Bathroom was also very clean, which is sometimes rare in some Chinese restaurants I have been to. If you're looking for a good Chinese meal, stop here when you're in the Chelsea area.

    We started out in Chelsea, aiming for Chinatown. The bus was twenty minutes off. "Is it worth…read morewaiting?" I asked T. "We can go someplace else." "How 'bout there?" he responded pointing to Excellent Dumpling House. It was directly across the street. I pulled up Yelp, saw good reviews and readily agreed. At 3:30, the restaurant was empty. There were a few takeout orders, but we were the only people sitting down for late lunch. And y'know ... it was pretty good. Wonton soup is what I'd expect in Chinatown. Wonton wrappers were thin -- my preference -- the stuffing delicious and the broth flavorful. They were generous with the beef in our chow fun. Good, but the noodles needed a jolt. So I asked for soy sauce which was sort of a solution. Shrimp with vegetables was great. A lot of shrimp, too. There are lunchtime specials on weekdays, reasonable prices, and nice people work there. Next time it makes sense to try dumplings since it is, after all a dumpling house.

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    Dining Area
    Dining Area
    Sizzling Eggplant with Garlic Sauce
    Sizzling Eggplant with Garlic Sauce
    Excellent Dumpling House

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    Buddakan

    Buddakan

    4.1
    (4.9k reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$$$

    Dinner for one at Buddakan turned into one of those rare experiences where the setting is nearly as…read morememorable as the food. Located within the historic Chelsea Market building--a former Nabisco factory where Oreo cookies were first produced--the restaurant feels theatrical in the best possible way. The soaring ceilings, dramatic lighting, and energetic atmosphere create a sense of occasion from the moment you walk in. It feels less like simply going out to dinner and more like stepping into a beautifully staged production. I started with a Botanist Gin Martini with a twist, which paired wonderfully with the meal. The surprise star of the evening was the new Cucumber Tiger Salad. The balance of flavors was exceptional: bright acidity, a pleasant touch of heat, and just enough mint to make each bite feel fresh and exciting. Every so often the mint would come through and suddenly all the flavors would click together in a way that made me immediately want another bite. This is a dish I would happily order again. Next came the Edamame Dumplings. They were delicate and comforting, especially when enjoyed with the accompanying broth. The broth adds depth and richness that elevates the entire dish. My only suggestion would be the slightest touch more salt, perhaps even a finishing sprinkle of black volcanic salt for both flavor and presentation. I also found myself wishing there were a bit more of that delicious broth because it contributes so much to the overall experience. For my entrée, I ordered the Glazed Alaskan Black Cod, and it absolutely lived up to its reputation. The fish was rich, buttery, and perfectly prepared. What impressed me most was how thoughtfully the accompaniments were composed. The pickled cucumbers brought brightness, acidity, and crunch, while the black bean and eggplant relish delivered deep savory notes and unexpected complexity. I'm generally not an eggplant fan, but this relish was outstanding. The cucumbers and relish sit at opposite ends of the flavor spectrum, yet both somehow make the cod even better. Looking back, I think a glass of Sauvignon Blanc alongside the cod would have been the perfect pairing. I finished with the Miso Caramel Milk Bar, which was spectacular. Decadent, sweet, salty, and touched with just enough umami to keep every bite interesting. The chocolate crumble underneath added a wonderful crunch that contrasted beautifully with the creamy ice cream and luscious caramel sauce. Every component worked together perfectly, creating a dessert that was both indulgent and sophisticated. From start to finish, the meal felt polished, thoughtful, and memorable. Thank you!

    The vibe and food here is great! It's also very good for larger parties. We were a group of 10 and…read moreI was able to make a reservation without dealing with a pre fix meal or being put into a private room which I appreciated. We went family style for our dishes which worked very well. Everything we got was delicious, but the garlic fried rice, kung pao monkfish, crab rangoons and wok fried xo cheung fun noodles were my favorites. I also tried the Blush cocktail which was similar to a lychee martini. I loved it and it was perfectly sweet. Overall it was on the pricey side once we split everything, but the vibes were great for a nice night out.

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    Buddakan
    Buddakan
    Buddakan

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    Philippe Chow Downtown

    Philippe Chow Downtown

    4.0
    (303 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$$

    Yeah Id say that was a pretty splendid meal. Shared everything thank goodness…read more Started with the wok fried beef dumplings which were good on their own but had this fire ahh spicy honey mustard wow. Then the scallion pancakes which were crispy and airy paired with this very interesting sauce that was clear but tasted like sweet and sour sauce. For mains we got Kung Pao Chicken which was pretty delicious but my star of the show was the Crispy Beef. It was crispy asf and skinny too I didn't know you could make beef skinny like that. Sauce was super tasty and thick. On the side was broccoli which was fine and eggplant which was fine on its own and good with the chili sauce. Split the Fortune Cookie Red Velvet Cake which okay I thought there would be more creativity with adding fortune cookies somewhere in the cake but it was just a cake with fortune cookies on top. Also they put 2 when we had 4 people like lowkey they couldve just put 2 more on there but anyways the cake itself was pretty tasty so can't complain there.

    Philippe Chow is why Yelp exists. You would otherwise never know that this upscale Chinese…read moreRestaurant blasts club music and mandates 20% gratuities. The food is all over the place but the main theme is that everything is over-seasoned to please the crowd of people who all were gulping down colorful sugary cocktails with dinner while wearing athletic clothing. Peking duck (for 4-5) had great accompaniments (rare to actually get bao with it) but it was a lackluster portion of duck. Salt and pepper shrimp were offensively salted. Special "mignon" was great. The hand-pulled noodles *gasp* weren't hand pulled. "BBQ" chicken in the other noodles was very dry. Sea bass portion was very small. Scallion pancakes were good. Shrimp dumplings were the highlight. I recommend skipping this restaurant.

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    Philippe Chow Downtown
    Maine Lobster: ginger scallion sauce
    Maine Lobster: ginger scallion sauce
    Bottle of Moët & Chandon

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