Welcome to Mala House
Welcome to Mala House, where the vibrant flavors of Szechuan cuisine come to life in an inviting atmosphere. Situated in the heart of Manhattan, this Asian fusion gem specializes in a variety of dishes, from spicy dry hot pots to delicious dim sum. With a focus on authenticity and quality, both the bustling lunch crowd and casual dinner guests indulge in favorites like the mouthwatering ma po tofu and savory chicken in chili oil. The attentive service enhances the experience, ensuring every detail is catered to. Whether dining in or ordering out, Mala House offers a delightful journey for spice lovers and food enthusiasts alike.
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22 E 21st St New York, NY 10017 United States Hotline: (646) 386-7079
Welcome to Mala House, a gem nestled in the heart of New York at 22 E 21st St. Specializing in Szechuan cuisine, dim sum, and Asian fusion, this restaurant stands out for its unique offerings and genuine flavors. With an eclectic menu that ranges from cold appetizers to hearty soups, every dish is crafted to transport you to the vibrant streets of Sichuan. Whether you're dining in with friends or grabbing a quick takeout, Mala House promises a delightful culinary experience.
The ambiance is casual yet inviting with a clean, modern interior, making it perfect for post-work dinners or casual gatherings. The garage parking makes it an accessible choice for anyone traveling to the Flatiron area. Notably, the restaurant is dog-friendly and offers both delivery and takeout options, catering to those who prefer to enjoy their meals in the comfort of their homes.
- Culinary Highlights:
- Beef and Tripe in Chili Oil: A must-try for spice lovers at $13.95, it's loaded with flavor.
- Pan Fried Pork Buns: Perfectly crispy, these six pieces at just $13.95 are a crowd favorite.
- Szechuan Dan Dan Noodles: Packed with a spicy punch and nutty flavors, priced at $11.95.
- Mapo Tofu: A standout dish that has left customers like Jenna Z. raving about its flavor profile.
Customer reviews reflect the warmth of the service and the quality of the meals. Citlali A. shared a touching experience of stellar support when a takeout order faced a hiccup, illustrating the dedication of the Mala House team to customer satisfaction. Allen L. praised their famous ma la xiang guo, highlighting the tender meat and balanced heat that lingers on the palate. Above all, each dish at Mala House seems to express a deep respect for the authenticity of Szechuan cuisine, inviting diners to savor the rich culinary heritage.
While certain reviews hint at minor inconsistencies—like the oiliness of the dry pepper chicken—you'll often leave feeling satisfied and eager to return. Most diners can't help but share their recommendations for the extensive list of dumplings, wontons, and dry pots, all expertly prepared to capture the essence of Sichuan cooking.
In a city bustling with dining choices, Mala House stands out not only for its delicious food and vibrant flavors but also for its focus on customer experience. With dishes that excite the taste buds and a welcoming environment, it's no wonder that this establishment has garnered such a loyal following. It's more than just a meal; it's an experience—a delicious journey through the bold flavors of Szechuan cuisine. So, gather your friends and get ready to indulge in what may soon become your new favorite spot in Manhattan!
Good food and great service. I picked up a lunch order here that I submitted via Yelp. I got a confirmation but the restaurant never got the order. With in just a few minutes the staff had it sorted, even with out the order, and got me my food so I could get back to work. I got a call later from Yelp that the order went through delayed and we got everything squared away, meaning the resto trusted that I'd paid upfront and risked their own money to make sure I got on my way quickly. Stellar support. And to boot, the food was good too. I got the mapo tofu extra spicy, and the egg drop soup (which left me wanting more, just like egg drop soup should). Inside the place is pretty casual, quiet, and not too big. I'd probably get food from here again.
We went here for a quick Saturday night dinner and ended up pretty satisfied with the meal. This place seems pretty well known for their ma la xiang guo (dry hot pot) and we got the one with mutton. The meat was really tender and the flavor was excellent, with a good amount of heat mixed with a touch of numbing from the Szechuan peppercorn. We also got the dry pepper chicken which seems like their rendition of a chongqing fried chicken and it also was pretty good, with tender crispy chicken and plenty of heat from fried peppers and jalapeños. The meal overall was around $60 after tax and tip which isn't bad for the area. Definitely would come back again if I'm craving Sichuan food near Flatiron.
Surprisingly really good Mala food! We came here as a group of ~10 people on a Wednesday and were seated immediately. We ordered a ton of food and did family style and everything was really good. I think overall price was good. Some of my favorites were the La Zi Ji and the green beans. Would recommend, pleasant surprise!
Food is 4/5. Good flavor. I enjoyed the dry pot. The pepper chicken is a bit too oily. The mutton is very hard to chew. We likely won't come back again.
Unassuming authentic spot serving up some pretty nice dan dan noodles! They packed a spice and bit of nuttiness. Love to be back and try the dumplings.
I went to Mala House for a late night bite with a friend and it didn't disappoint. We had the Szechuan dan noodles and dry pot Chicken. I forgot that I went here before and enjoyed it a lot, but luckily was reminded the second time around. I will be honest and say I've had better dan dan noodles (cue Han Dynasty) but the dry pot was quite tasty. All in all, I'd definitely go back again.
I came around noon on Friday, the place was almost empty. More people trickled in but there were many empty tables left. I ordered the dry pepper chicken lunch special. It was a good deal since for $12.95 it came with soup, a good amount of chicken, and rice. Both the soup and chicken were delicious. The restaurant isn't upscale, but it's clean and modern. The waitress worked fast but still refilled my water (unlike typical Asian establishments).
That chili oil wontons were tooo good. I was skeptical about the place, given the juxtaposition of the zen music and classy interior against the flaming messy spicy food we were about to eat. The wontons proved me wrong though. They were only slightly spicy for my low tolerance, and the skin was so smooth and smooth. I do wish there was more filling though. The Beef Dry Pot Style was presented HOT on a wok. So the food was kept warm throughout the experience. The beef was tender, and slightly fried a bit. Not sure if it worked in the dry pot though. There also wasn't enough variety of ingredients or amount. The service was great, and food was authentic enough for Manhattan's standards.
We ordered in and I must say I was quite pleased. We ordered lamb with cumin (mutton), ma po tofu (my favorite), dried strignbeans (delicious), and General Tso's chicken. It comes with rice as well. I have to say it was delicious and I'm very picky about my Chinese food. They delivered it very quickly which was great. Very nice sized portions which was great. We definitely had leftovers which was very nice for another meal - give them a try - I promise you will be happy.
Food: sooo good! Honestly nothing missed. My favorite was the wonton in chili oil because they add vinegar so the sauce is slightly sour. We also got pea shoots and green beans which were also good. Service: 10/10 the servers kept coming to top off our waters and asked us how we were doing Ambiance: pretty normal for an Asian restaurant nothing amazing. I would definitely come back again!