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    Mala Restaurant

    3.9 (396 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Mala Restaurant Photos

    MALA RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Mala Restaurant

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    Dry spicy pot (large)
    Lilian Z.

    Came on a very busy Sunday night but managed to get seated with no wait. However, it took an entire hour for our food to come out which was a bit frustrating given the lack of communication about any delays. However, the dry spicy pot was great (though a bit too greasy to have often) and the food was tasty overall. I would probably come back, but order takeout to avoid the long wait from dining in.

    Anastasia S.

    I came here today with my friend and she recommended it highly. We took our toddlers who are 3 and even they weren't picky and loved the beef skewers. We got dumplings, pork belly skewers,beef skewers and a spicy chicken plate with red hot peppers. I didn't have a favorite because it was all delicious!! Service was very good and attentive

    Fish Fillet with Sour Pickled Cabbage Soup
    April T.

    Best place for flavor and value if you're in the mood for mala! Anytime a friend visits from out of town, they request that we go here. Our favorite items to order are the bbq, the dry pot and the crabs. But honestly, you really can't go wrong with anything on the menu. The service isn't the best as they will try to rush you out of your table during busy hours but they're nice about it.

    Fish Fillet with Sour Pickled Cabbage Soup
    Jeffrey H.

    We often come here for authentic tingling spice Chinese cuisine! Food always comes out very fast and fresh, with large portions! Service is friendly, although ordering is done through a specific QR code at your table. They offer a 5% cash discount on your tab, so definitely bring cash if you can! There are plenty of tables and dining space, usually isn't too much of a wait unless you go during peak times. Overall, great value for what you get and it's delicious! Amongst all the options within Allston, this is a must try!

    Isaac C.

    Mala Restaurant might be the best Chinese spot in the Allston area, especially in terms of value. I came here with some friends and we were seated right away. The dry pot is an absolute must try. You can customize your bowl with whatever proteins and vegetables you want, and choose your spice level. Don't take the spice lightly. The fish fillet is probably my favorite protein. It's fried perfectly and so addicting that I usually order a large portion. The spicy wontons and dumplings are solid as well. I haven't explored much of the menu yet, but I'm sure everything else is also delicious.

    Wonton with Spicy Chili Sauce. SO GOOD!!!
    Erin W.

    This place seriously gets better and better. Most please kind of fizzle out, but not this place. This place is so consistently yummy and affordable. I still enjoy going there, as well as getting take out from there. The flavors are unmatched, and I definitely crave this place pretty frequently. Some friends and I recently got takeout from here, and I just wanted to give another shoutout to Mala for their delicious food. Thank you for providing consistency, especially in a time where that's not considered important. The service is always good here and despite being a small place, it's very comfortable and cozy. Will continue to support this restaurant and crave its yumminess!!!

    Szechuan Double Cooked Bacon
    Alex L.

    Walked in to this casual restaurant in Allston. Tried the Roast Beef Tendon w/ Chili Sauce, Chili & Cumin Lamb (my favorite), Double Cooked Bacon, Stir Fried Pea Shoots (a bit overly salty today), Stir Fried Chicken, and Shrimp & Pork Soup Dumplings (tasted better than they looked). There was loud dinging throughout the meal from notifications at the check in counter. We also walked in to see them cleaning green beans on one of the empty tables. Definitely a more casual and homey place, and the total was not bad!

    Phyoe T.

    The spicy dry pot is our usual dish and it never disappoints us. It's convenient to order food from your phone although service can be a bit edgy sometimes.

    白肉卷 口水雞
    Jocelyn S.

    Food here is solid. There is a 10% discount if you pay with cash. We tipped based on the cash price and they chased us down for not tipping based on the card price... so beware of that... they'll go after you!! Knocked down a star because of that awkward interaction. My favorite was the spicy chicken appetizer 口水雞. Both appetizers of the chicken and pork wraps had really nice sauces that were sweet, garlicky, vinegary, soy-y, super yummy. My party of 5 got 2 appetizers, 3 entrees, and 4 bowls of rice and we had leftovers!

    Lizzie Y.

    Mala Restaurant in Allston is one of my favorite places to go to when I'm craving Sichuan food! I absolutely LOVE getting their mala spicy pot 麻辣香锅 & like to change it up + pick different items on the list every time I visit; can pick a couple of different meats & veggies to add to the pot! Also, I always have to order the boiled fresh whole fish with special chili oil 沸腾活鱼片 OR the grilled whole fish with chef's special sauce 烤全鱼. Both are AMAZING, just one is grilled/fried & one is boiled ;) All dishes here pair super well with rice! (The fish with sour pickled veggies 酸菜活鱼片 is also CHEF'S KISS, cannot go wrong) Definitely try Mala Restaurant for authentic Sichuan food in Boston. Highly recommend!

    Chris T.

    Brighton ave, dinner time, just have to circle around and catch a parking spot. The spot was busy and definitely lively. We ordered the make your own mala pot (I prefer dry pot style might have to try that next time) but the lady liked it! We also got the fresh fish in the green pepper (sour / spicy) broth. That was really good and also drinkable like a soup (the broth I mean) Service was good, water cup was constantly being refilled. The ladies working were nice. The space is not that big but they make use of it and it gets packed especially during dinner rush / weekends.

    small soup dumplings with pork
    John Y.

    We took a chance on this place as it looked the busiest out of the several restaurants nearing it. Folks kept going in and we took a chance. We are so glad we did! Food is superb and pricing is very reasonable. Food: Soup dumplings - these are smaller than traditional XLB's at other places, but they still taste pretty good and have an ok amount of soup inside. Some had more, some had less. These took a long time to come out, it was last. I'd give them a 3/5 rating. Chili cumen beef - Very good, give it a 4/5 rating. There is a good amount of beef with some green peppers. There are a TON of red peppers but I find that its mostly unedible as they are pretty dry and hard to chew. This dish is pretty dry. We got it spicy and it was perfect, and the mala flavor was not overpowering. You can also get this with lamb instead of beef. Shredded pork with dried bean curd - This was also a 4/5 rating. There are generous portions of meat and bean curd (sorta like firmer tofu?), along with some slices of green peppers. Flavor is spot on and this dish is not spicy. BBQ skewers - I thought this would be more popular here, but we were the only table to order these. They came out quick and had great flavor. There was a little crispness to the tentacles. The lamb was very tender and flavorful. The pork belly was just ok. Overall, I'd give skewers a 3/5 rating. This place has a sizeable dining area. I really liked that you order from your phone after scanning the QR code at your table. You can easily add on more items throughout your stay. I only wish they had more pictures for their menu items, as it would really help. Service was very good. Staff was friendly and there was someone going around constantly refilling water. They do tend to speak to you in chinese, but some can speak some english. Prices are very reasonable for the portions and quality of food. I think this definitely adds to the popularity of this place, as I'm also looking forward to a return visit soon. Keep up the great work! Lots of street parking spots around the area, but depending on day and time, could get challenging, be patient!

    Linh N.

    This is my 1st time eating here. The food was so good, i will be back. But you have to wait if you go for weekend

    Dry Vegetable Mala Pot

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    Mala Restaurant Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Mala Restaurant

    Is mala bueno or mala?

    The food is definitely bueno but the service can be mala 😂

    Is the price per skewer?

    yes

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    Mountain House

    Mountain House

    4.4(199 reviews)
    0.1 miAllston/Brighton
    Casual dining
    Romantic vibe

    This place transported me to a whole other location! I didn't feel like I was in Massachusetts…read moreanymore. The decor inside and the quality of their food here takes you away! From the very attentive and supportive staff to the intricate details that they have throughout the restaurant , it is truly transformative experience. As for the food, if you're in the mood of something spicy, especially that Sichuan type of heat, then the beef soup is the one for you! I personally would recommend the green pepper pork because it was absolutely delicious! I could not stop eating it and it was just perfect in every which way! Looking forward to coming here again to try many other delicious foods and will probably bring a couple of more friends because their group seating is absolutely stunning!

    5 for food 2 for service…read more We love the NYC version of this restaurant, and were excited to visit the Boston spot for mouth numbing dishes. Starting with an iPad menu, our ordering experience with our waiter was subpar. We ended up with extra things ordered that weren't part of our initial order. In good news the food was absolutely delicious. Everything was fire and the waiter poured 5 glasses of water for 3 of us. So we could cool down without needing to flag him down. With the only non-Asian waiter in the restaurant, he struggled with basic elements of service. Inattentive. Requests went unmet (lemons for water). We sat for more than 15 mins after asking to box up leftovers and to close our check. This was all a little embarrassing, as we brought my boyfriend's father. After singing praises of the NYC spot, this was a disappointment.

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    Mountain House
    Mountain House
    Mountain House

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    B2J Tasty Pot

    B2J Tasty Pot

    4.6(23 reviews)
    0.1 miAllston/Brighton

    I've come here several times now and have always left with a full stomach and super satisfied…read more While there were long waits when they first opened, it isn't too hard to get a seat now, especially if you're able to put yourself down on the waiting list. We always get the pot for 4 (have never come with less than 4 people) and this worked for us even with a party of 5 - it's a ton of food for a decent price. We always get the traditional sauerkrout pot with fish and mix and match the appetizers - I am partial to the spicy chicken and fried dough (youtiao), but all are solid. The only one I didn't love was the noodles given you're given plenty of carbs already. The mochi is honestly super delicious as well if you have room for dessert - it's a great texture and flavor. Overall, we have enjoyed every meal we've had here and could not recommend it enough. Service is also solid and boxing your meal results in a super fun packaging that is easy to transport. Thank you, B2J Tasty Pot - I know I'll come back!

    parking is street as everything in this area…read more been here a few times, it's been very consistent, delicious, and spicy good! the place is small, with under a dozen tables. the service is quick. they'll take your order if you're waiting in line and serve you as you sit down. we usually select a set for two people or four and or both depending on the group. we haven't had a dish we didn't like here. everything is fresh. the flavors are BOLD and unforgiving. it doesn't apologize for its tongue burning numbing sensations. will return

    Photos
    B2J Tasty Pot - Good ambience

    Good ambience

    B2J Tasty Pot - Spicy Sour Fern Starch Noodles 酸辣厥根粉

    Spicy Sour Fern Starch Noodles 酸辣厥根粉

    B2J Tasty Pot - Chicken with Chili Sauce 椒麻鸡

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    Chicken with Chili Sauce 椒麻鸡

    Boston Soup Dumplings - Pork Soup Dumplings

    Boston Soup Dumplings

    4.2(111 reviews)
    0.0 miAllston/Brighton

    We got the rice bowl with tomato, egg, broccoli, and pork belly. It was really good - really hit…read morethe spot! We also got two batches of soup dumplings - the original pork and rainbow one. They were super juicy and hot when we got them. They have some high tops and regular tables. The people there were super nice! You order through your phone there. The service was very quick! I'd come again!

    I came to eat dumplings with friends from Sichuan, Guangxi, Hunan, Kazakhstan, and Turkey. It was…read moreso spicy! As a Cantonese, I was ready to die for my friends. Bobo Chicken in Green Pepper Oil藤味缽缽雞: The best dish of the meal. The broth was very refreshing, mainly savory, umami, and fragrant, with only a slight numbing spiciness. It was also served cool, making it very appetizing. The chicken was thick and tender, and the other vegetables were fresh and flavorful. Mouthwatering Chicken in Chili Sauce口水雞: The only dish I ordered, and it's my favorite among Sichuan dishes. Very satisfying. The chicken was tender, and the chili oil was fragrant but not spicy. Steamed Pork Soup Dumplings with Crab Meat蟹粉小籠包, Steamed Pork Soup Dumplings豬肉小籠包: Like Fuchunju富春居, the soup dumplings had a slightly dry and hard skin, not as good as Zoe's風味亭. However, the soup was rich, the filling was tender, and the seasoning was umami, so it was still very good. It even came with ginger slices, which was a thoughtful touch! Pork Dumplings in Chengdu Zhong Sauce鍾水餃: I'd forgotten the Zhong Dumplings I had in Chengdu ten years ago, but I really liked these. The rich, sweet aroma of brown sugar was incredibly appealing. Shanghai Vegetable and Pork Wonton Soup上海菜肉大餛飩: The broth was light and flavorful, the meat filling firm and plump, with a satisfyingly coarse texture and a rich meaty aroma. A pleasant surprise. Sichuan Dan Dan Noodles四川擔擔麵: The first bite was good, the sesame sauce was very fragrant. But it got spicier and spicier, and eventually I couldn't stand it anymore... Chinese Wood Ear Mushroom Salad涼拌木耳: Bland and tasteless. Steamed Crystal Shrimp Dumplings水晶蝦餃: My friend ordered these. Extremely poor quality frozen products, the skin was mushy and the filling was soft--complete garbage.

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    Boston Soup Dumplings
    Boston Soup Dumplings - Mouthwatering Chicken in Chili Sauce

    Mouthwatering Chicken in Chili Sauce

    Boston Soup Dumplings - Wood ear

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    Wood ear

    Clay Pot Cafe

    Clay Pot Cafe

    4.2(33 reviews)
    0.1 miAllston/Brighton

    Came by with a large party for a post-graduation celebration. Great service accommodated us, and…read moreeven when our party expanded beyond the original amount. We ordered a TON of rice rolls, clay pot rice (had to since it's the namesake) and other sides. Staff were extremely friendly, made great suggestions, and even chatted with us as we were ordering. Food came out quickly, and was fantastic. I admittedly don't have a lot of experience here, so I'm not sure what the norm is, but from a pure enjoyment perspective, enjoyment was definitely high. Things are definitely a bit cramped but it doesn't feel like that, as the environment is very home-y, with a lot of natural lighting makes this a great environment for a great lunch out with the friends. Would return to try more things from the menu!

    Ordered takeout from here, and the experience had some hiccups. The restaurant was out of several…read moreitems I wanted; fair enough but instead of managing it on their end, they left it for me to sort out. I had to cancel those items myself through customer service, which was a real hassle. I would've expected the merchant to handle that directly. As for the food, the honey BBQ pork was too sweet and dry, and the ribs didn't resemble the menu photo at all; also dry. The rice was decent and portion size was reasonable. It feels like this place has potential but could use some management tweaks. I genuinely hope they succeed, but based on this visit, I'd be hesitant to order again until things are more consistent.

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    Clay Pot Cafe
    Clay Pot Cafe
    Clay Pot Cafe - Honey-Glazed Barbecued Pork

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    Honey-Glazed Barbecued Pork

    Cubist Circle - Yu hsian shredded pork (鱼香肉丝)

    Cubist Circle

    4.2(25 reviews)
    1.6 miBrookline Village

    The best of the best!! The fish in a pot (干锅鱼)is the best!! It was crispy outside and very juicy…read moreand tender inside, the flavor was perfectly balanced with salty, peppery, and chili seasoning. Beef and tripe was very well seasoned and no weird taste at all. The duck blood is the best duck blood in Boston, very tender and delicious. The cost of the dishes surprisingly a little bit cheaper than other restaurants. Even though the restaurant was super super busy, a lot of people waiting for a seat, and there was only one server, a very friendly man, we had water refilled and all the dishes arrived quickly. The service was great. Because the food was so good, many people willing to wait for a seat. I love the small busy restaurant kind of ambience. I will definitely go back soon!

    A solid Chinese restaurant for the area. I have been to its Weymouth location. Not sure if this…read morelocation is newer than Weymouth or not. Limited street parking out front, but there are more street metered parking on the side street (next to the green line). The restaurant is much smaller than the Weymouth location, and the menu selection is also different. The server asked me to scan the QR code on the table for the menu, so I'm not sure if they have a paper menu. You can place the order directly via the QR code. I requested one dish to be non-spicy, and they were able to accommodate that. The only thing was that both dishes were a little bit too salty than my liking. I came here during a weekday lunch, and it wasn't super busy. I would return again.

    Photos
    Cubist Circle
    Cubist Circle - Chongqing noodles (重庆小面)

    Chongqing noodles (重庆小面)

    Cubist Circle - Mellow lunching

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    Mellow lunching

    Mala Restaurant - szechuan - Updated May 2026

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