Malatang: Australia’s new spicy street-food

Malatang is making waves as a bold, street-side dish and is quickly earning its place in Australia’s vibrant multicultural food scene. With its punchy flavours, customisable ingredients, and street food origins, it offers diners a unique and exciting experience. It is the perfect dish for those Australians seeking something more audacious than the local noodle soup. In this article, we will discuss what malatang is, where to enjoy it in Australia, how to eat it like a native, and why it is becoming a favourite for people in Australia.

What is Malatang? 

Malatang, a well-known Chinese street food, is a kind of spicy Sichuan hot pot that’s popular for its numbing and spicy broth. It originated from street stalls along the Yangtze River and is now becoming popular globally, including in Australia. It’s a build-your-own feed where you pick your ingredients and they’re simmered in a fiery, flavour-packed broth.

Defining traits of Malatang   

• Spicy and Numbing: Its most defining trait is that the ‘mala’ from Malatang refers to the numbing and spicy flavours from Sichuan peppercorns and chillies. 
• Broth-based: This spicy and flavourful broth varies in intensity from mild to severe.
• Personalised: It is a customisable dish as diners select their ingredients for a personalised experience. 
• Street food origin: It commonly originated from the street food stalls where customers select their ingredients from the potluck.
• Variations: The dish has many variations, including those with different broth bases and ingredients, but Sichuan-style is most frequently adored.    

Why Australians love Malatang? 

Malatang has won the hearts of Aussie food lovers and is making waves across the country, especially in multicultural hubs like Sydney and Melbourne, where Chinese flavours thrive. Here are a few reasons why Aussies are drawn to this customisable and spicy Sichuan-style hot pot dish:

• Self-serve fun: Malatang is all about getting stuck in — Aussies love chucking in their favourite picks like prawns, noodles, Asian greens, and a cheeky bit of Spam. 
• Spice level: The spiciness varies according to the choice of the diner and can be adjusted very often. It has different level ranges, considering people’s preferences.   
• Budget-friendly: Perfect for students, workers, and everybody else, as the general charge depends on the weight. Select your desired ingredients from the collection at the end, cost by the total weight of the chosen items. 
• Healthy and hearty: It certainly looks healthier than it really is, containing only veggies, carbohydrates, and proteins in a wholesome bowl. Australians can select according to their health status and choose vegetables, tofu, and lean proteins.
• Lively and outgoing: Malatang is more than just a meal; it is a chance to have a communal dining experience with family, friends, and fellows.

Top spots to enjoy Malatang in Australia  

There are many best places to enjoy a heartfelt experience of Malatang. Sydney and Melbourne have numerous options to enjoy this Sichuan-style spicy soup. Check out these top spots across Australia where you can tuck into a cracking bowl of Malatang:

• Yang Guo Fu Malatang: It’s a well-known global chain celebrated for its signature broth and massive selection of add-ins. Aussies especially rave about their spicy mala beef broth, rich tomato base, and the punchy dry-tossed mala ban – real crowd-pleasers for those who like a flavour kick. 
• Zhangliang Malatang: It offers authentic Sichuan-style flavours, especially its signature mala taste, which is a hallmark of Sichuan cuisine. It has many locations in Sydney, offering customisable dishes and a wide selection of ingredients. 
• Spicy Joint Malatang: Spicy Joint Malatang has multiple locations in Sydney and is known for offering authentic Sichuan cuisine.
• Happy Lamb Hot Pot: Located in Melbourne, it offers a Malatang-style lunch where diners can select broths and meats for a fully custom experience.

How to make Malatang at home? 

You can also make the creative Malatang at home. Here is a simple, easy Aussie-friendly version: 

Required ingredients 

• Base: The dish kicks off with a bold, full-bodied broth that packs a spicy punch and plenty of flavour.
• Aromatics: Garlic, ginger, dried red chillies, Sichuan peppercorns, cloves, etc. 
• Proteins: Paper-thin cuts of beef, lamb, and pork, teamed with fish balls and chunks of tofu. 
• Vegetables: Spinach, mushrooms, lotus root, potatoes, broccoli. 
• Noodles: Quick-cooked noodles, slippery sweet potato strands, and farm-fresh egg noodles. 
• Milk (optional): Milk is optional in making Malatang. It helps in mellowing the spiciness.
• Garnishes: Spring onions, garlic, a dash of chilli oil, nutty sesame sauce, fresh coriander, and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds.

Method

Follow these basic steps to make a delicious malatang at home: 

• Create a flavourful soup base with spices. 
• Chuck in the stock and bring it to a ripper boil.
• First, add slow-cooking items like potatoes, thick noodles, etc. 
• Then introduce tofu, greens, or seafood. 
• Add a splash of milk (optional)
• Finish up with garnishing the recipe and serve. 

So, chuck your favourite bits in the Malatang bowl and dig into your own DIY feed. 

Malatang for beginners: Build your bowl like a pro 

If you are going to try Malaatng for the first time, the following are some handy tips to build your Malatang bowl like an expert:

• Moderate the spice: Begin with mild spices unless you are accustomed to Sichuan pepper.
• Balance the bowl: Balance your bowl by adding proteins, vegetables, and noodles for both nutrition and taste.
• Check new ingredients: Don’t be afraid, and keep trying new ingredients like lotus root, konjac noodles, and tofu puffs. 
• Fill up with condiments: Elevate the whole dish by using condiments like garlic paste, sesame sauce, or chilli oil. 
• Pay attention to the weight: Don’t overload your Malatang bowl, so you don’t get surprised at the counter. 

Final thoughts 

In summary, Malatang is more than just a spicy soup— it is a mixture of convenience, flavour, and choice. It captivates the attention of Australians with its DIY style, social appeal, and balance of spice and comfort. It is a perfect combination of bold taste and culinary creativity, with its punchy taste and street food charm. So, next time, if you want something hearty and exciting, skip the usual takeout and plunge into a Malatang bowl— you might just discover your new food obsession.