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this place allows you to choose a variety of items and add them into your tray and then they cook them up for you. They definitely have a very big selection of options and some really fun ones as well. I tried the MalaTang which I like the most. The other option was the mala mix which has peanut sauce as well as sesame seeds on it. To me this was a little bit on the sweet side, which is what I didn't like about it. They put in Sichuan peppers so there's almost a minty flavor in your mouth when you eat it. I got the medium spice, which was a little bit on the spicier side for me. Don't sleep on the sauces which they have at the end and they also have rice in a big pot that you can have. The place was really clean and they have simple wooden tables and it's kind of set up like a diner system. They charge you by weight so you can put in the number of items that you want and they weigh what you have and charge you for it. it is self service, but they once you have paid, they will bring you your food to your table after preparation.
I had my first ever dry pot here and I loved it!!! If you dine in, the sauce bar and rice is all free. Keep in mind your bowl has to weigh at least 1 pound. I got the dry pot in mild, which (depending on the day) is actually pretty spicy. They have a great assortment of ingredients. I love the siu mai since it's exactly the type you'd find at dim sum (though they don't have that exact type all the time).
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!
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!
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.
Horrible service: A brutally honest review from someone who got burned by buying a membership card | The service was so bad I wanted to cancel my card immediately and never come back, but they wouldn't let me Who else understands this? You buy a membership card thinking you're getting convenience, but instead you become the person who gets treated poorly by the store! The service at this place has hit rock bottom. I sincerely want to warn anyone thinking about getting a membership card: please stay away! I've had two terrible experiences recently, and both times the membership card issue turned into a complete nightmare during checkout. The first time, the staff told me their system had been upgraded. Processing my membership took a full 15 minutes. They made me enter my phone number over and over again--five or six times. When they got annoyed, they even asked me to write my number down by hand so they could enter it themselves. My food was already cooking, and I didn't want to make things difficult, so I stayed patient and said nothing. I thought, "Fine, maybe it was just a technical issue." Then today, my second time coming back, I clearly told them right when I walked in that I had a membership card. The employee completely ignored it and kept aggressively gesturing for me to just pay by card. I got so frustrated that I asked right there if I could cancel my membership. The experience was honestly beyond tolerable. Ever since the previous cashier--the girl with glasses--left, the new employees have been doing one ridiculous thing after another. The previous cashier was genuinely thoughtful. She remembered my preferences and would proactively deduct my membership balance when I checked out. I'm not asking employees to memorize my personal habits. I'm simply asking them to pay a little attention and do their jobs properly. Is that really too much? The explanation from the employee was even more ridiculous: "There aren't many customers with membership cards, so we don't remember." I actually laughed when I heard that. If there are fewer membership customers, shouldn't they be easier to remember? And besides, I literally told them in my first sentence when I entered that I had a membership card. Did they just not hear me? What's even more frustrating is that this same cashier remembered before that I had loaded money onto my card with cash. But today, she suddenly acted like she had no idea I even had a membership card--after I had already told her! The double standard is unbelievable. Is it really that hard to take responsibility? Just admit it was a mistake. It wouldn't have taken much, and it wouldn't have upset a regular customer. Previously, the restaurant even made my food incorrectly. I didn't complain or lose my temper at all. They fixed it by making another portion and giving me a free drink, and I was kind enough not to make an issue out of it. Looking back now, that was probably the moment I should have avoided this place completely. Instead, I foolishly reloaded my membership card and basically paid to give myself more frustration. Clearly, they don't care about regular customers at all. The hypocrisy is honestly unbelievable: They are extremely careful about checking student IDs and student emails--no mistakes there, no laziness whatsoever. But their explanations don't even match. Last time, the same cashier said she remembered my cash top-up. Today, she suddenly claimed she had absolutely no memory of me having a membership. The contrast is honestly ridiculous. On top of the service issues, I also encountered food safety problems. The self-service rice bowl I got had foreign objects inside, and the food hygiene standards are questionable. This restaurant has even been temporarily closed before due to health department violations and required corrective action. The management problem here is huge. One cashier is expected to serve customers, greet guests, receive deliveries, and do miscellaneous work all at the same time. The staffing arrangement is clearly unreasonable. But why should paying customers become the target of their frustration? I pay money to enjoy a meal and relax--not to pay money to leave with a stomach full of anger and frustration. Once I finish using the remaining balance on my card, I'm permanently done with this place. I will never step inside again. For anyone considering buying a prepaid membership card: think carefully. A restaurant that can't even manage its own membership system is absolutely not worth trusting with your money.
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!
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!
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 :)
Food: I really enjoyed this restaurant! They offer mala tang and dry hot pot. There's an AYCE option for $48 or the DIY option that is charged by the pound. Rice is unlimited and self-served. For the DIY option, you select your ingredients and put it into a tray. They have a wide selection of items including veggies, meats, noodles, fish balls, seafood, and typical hot pot ingredients. I'm giving this place four stars instead of five because some of the ingredients they had didn't look very fresh such as the enoki mushrooms. After you finish collecting your items and putting it on the tray, you bring it to the cashier to be weighed and pay. The spice level is customizable and you let them know if you would like dry hot pot or mala tang. I selected try hot pot, but I definitely want to return to try the mala tang because it looked really good at other tables. There's also a sauce bar where you can make your own sauce. This was overall a very delicious meal and the unlimited rice was a plus. Service: Service was good. Staff are busy running around putting together takeout orders, but they still come around and refill your water and look around to see if you need anything. The staff member at the front was also friendly and took time to explain how everything works since it was our first time there. Ambiance: The restaurant is spacious and seating is comfortable. Most tables are for parties of four so it might not be ideal for large groups unless you sit at smaller tables next to each other. As soon as you walk in, you see the selection of ingredients displayed. Overall, I would highly recommend this restaurant and can't wait to return! read more
9 months ago
Decently priced with large variety of ingredients!! I got the mild and it was wayy too spicy for me but the flavors they use are delicious!!! read more
5 months ago
this place you can get as much as you want or as little as you want. they have a lot of options to choose from. great selection of veggies and meat. the service is also great. read more
Awesome new find and dry pot place in flatiron!! For $15.99/lb you can pick any mix of toppings you want, which gives you the ability to select exactly as much as you want. We got the mild and while I don't do that well with spice, it was the perfect level - but you can still customize it after with the sauce bar. My main regret is not realizing the pork belly was on a separate fridge until after I ordered - but will get it next time!! read more
This is definitely going to be one of new go to spots for a filling and cheap meal! Similar to other places like YGF and Zhangliang, Mala Panda does by the pound pricing at $15 per pound. I think the quality is pretty similar to YGF but they also give you the option to do a dry pot and spicy stir fry. I thought the ingredients were all really fresh and there was a large variety of fish and meat balls which I really appreciated. They also had a pretty good (albeit a bit small) sauce bar and free rice. The portion on the mala tang was incredible, as I got barely above a pound of food but the mala tang came out probably at 4 pounds overall including all the broth and garnishes. My friend got 2 pounds of food and the mala tang was filled to the brim. You definitely get a good bang for your buck here! read more
yummy mala spot in manhattan! it doesn't compare to the malatang in flushing but it's a good option for the city the food: lots of ingredients that seem semi fresh - the best part about the mala was that the portion is hugeeeee and the spicy level is actually quite spicy! my favorite ingredient is the fish roe ball the space: pretty big! the service: nice! read more
3 months ago
1 year ago
Casually found this place, local and satisfies our craving for dry hot pot. The food tastes like home and worth the trip. Will visit again on a craving! read more
1 year ago
If you're a dry pot fan, Mala Panda in NYC is a must-visit! Their make-your-own dry pot is $15.99 for 1 lb (minimum 1 lb required) and it's absolutely worth it. You pick your proteins, veggies, and add-ons, and they stir-fry it all with your spice level of choice. They also give unlimited rice and sauce, which is a total game-changer. The flavors are bold and addictive -- perfectly smoky, numbing, and savory without being greasy. I always go for mild spicy, which still has plenty of kick. For reference, I have a pretty high spice tolerance, and their medium is way too spicy for me, so order accordingly. The place is casual, quick, and satisfying. Whether you're here for lunch or dinner, you'll leave full, happy, and probably already planning your next visit. read more
7 months ago
The food is great and they have a great variety of meats and veggies compared to other places in the city. read more
5 months ago
One of the best malatang places in the city!! A variety of fresh ingredients and delicious soup bases. read more
1 year ago
It was mine and my husband's first time at Mala Panda and trying this kind of food. We absolutely loved everything! So much meat choices, vegetables, and everything else. The hostess and the rest of the staff were super helpful especially given that it's our first time. The hostess explained the whole process clearly and it really helped us figure out what we wanted. The vibes were also immaculate. My husband even joked that they might have used my playlist because we were just enjoying both the food and the music. I think we actually busted our eyebrows trying to finish the food! It was so freaking amazing. 10/10 would come back read more
2 years ago
Finally, an a la carte mala spot in this neck of the Manhattan woods. Just don't be dumb like me and fill up your tray with heavy ingredients that all weigh more than they're worth, considering you're paying $14.99/lb. I'm looking at you, potato noodles! read more
Came here for malatang and it was pretty good! IMO, it is better than YGF's soup malatang, as the broth tastes better. Same concept as ygf: there's a fridge with a bunch of food and you pay by weight. This place has a lot more seafood than ygf tho, there's octopus, different kinds of clams, etc. The rice here is also free. They give you so much soup and it tastes great! I couldn't stop drinking it and was super full at the end. The staff here are also really nice and helpful. Will definitely be coming back! read more
1 year ago
The dry pot/malatang place is legit and comparable to what I would have in China. Fresh ingredients and flavorful sauce. Self serve rice. The price point is also good! read more
8 months ago
Favourite place in town for a comforting meal and lots of options to choose from! Great atmosphere read more
3 months ago
6 months ago
7 months ago
The food is amazing and fresh. They have a wide range of veggies for people who don't eat meat like me. Service was really good too everyone is nice and the food comes in fast as well. The place is really nice and cozy too :) read more
8 months ago
1 year ago
8 months ago
Mala dry pot is the best here in NYC. There are so many options to choose from veggies to meat. read more
8 months ago
Love the vibes and I love the many options! They weren't lying about the spice level, I got the medium and it was amazing ;) read more
10 months ago
Amazing place - so many different selection of ingredients! The broth was also super flavorful read more
8 months ago
The best mala spot in town! The flavors are rich, authentic, and perfectly spicy. You can really taste the Sichuan-style seasoning. Ingredients are fresh, portions are generous, and everything is cooked just right. Highly recommend if you love mala xiang guo or mala tang! read more
1 year ago
Well priced fornits value for the area. Great variety too. Dont be like me and forget the meat fridge until the end. read more
2 years ago
***They have a sign that says if you leave a review you can get a free can of soda. Hence this review, I originally gave 4 stars but they'll tell you to give 5 stars in order to get the soda. So I'm editing it now after the free soda, to actually give them the 3 stars that they actually deserve*** IF YOURE ALLERGIC TO SESAME SEEDS, TELL THEM! They put sesame seeds on all finished products, and they didn't ask us to begin with if any of us would like that topping. I for one, HATE sesame seeds, not allergic to it but just don't like eating them. I do like the varieties of ingredients they have here. You can choose to have it dry or with soup. I opt for the tomato soup, they don't allow spicy for soup, but there's a sauce bar on the side and you can add your own spices there. I paid roughly $16 for my bowl. Which isn't bad, like a normal ramen bowl price. Just wish it wasn't such a long 30mins wait. read more
11 months ago
food is always really good and fresh. i love how kind their staff is ! i love their wide selections read more
11 months ago
2 years ago
5 months ago
1 year ago
Loved the bowl! High quality ingredients for the price. Had a wide variety of options. Service was fast and ambience was casual but spacious. read more
1 year ago
Excited for another mala dry pot/tang spot! Lots of ingredients to choose from and the spice level is good. Decently priced too at $15.99/lb. There's plenty of seating too, this is definitely going to be a regular spot for me :) waiters and cashier was super nice and helpful as well. read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
The food and services are both great, and I will definitely come back again in the future! read more
1 year ago
They were extremely considerate to dietary restrictions. Our group all had different restrictions, and he took his time telling us what options were suitable to us. He was very knowledgeable. Everyone was as super kind! The food was delicious as well. I got the mild dry pot. read more
2 years ago
My friend and I got the dry pot in mild. It was very affordable compared to other spots in the city and the people were very nice! read more
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105 West 27th St
New York, NY 10001
Chelsea
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(646) 410-0873
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Mala Panda - chinese - Updated September 2026
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