If you live in New York, you probably heard of Sichuan style hot pot. Sichuan food in New York is slowly taking over not only in China town but all over New York. Moreover, Sichuan restaurants that only focuses on hot pot has been the hot thang. It is a place to escape from cold winter. It is a place for comfort after a tough break up. It is a place for a feast after a long starving summer beach body. But there always comes with a catch. Your stomach aches, your clothe stinks and your face bloats like elephant man the next day. Also, it is not the best place to go on a date. These are the side effects of having hot pot. But even with these side effects, you crave like crazy once you had it. So, there is a solution for all that crave – Mala Project in East Village, New York.  

Mala Project Serves Dry Hot Pot That Feels Like a Sichuan Version of Salad

Mala Project is a Sichuan restaurant that mainly focuses on dry hot pot (But they also have other types of Sichuan food). Dry hot pot essentially is a hot pot with no broth. It taste like hot pot but without the messy pots and tables.

Mala Project Now Gives You More Options Than Just Dry Hot Pot – Sichuan Foods like Husband & Wife Lung Slices

You can choose around 50 ingredients to put in a wok. And you choose the spicy level from mild to super spicy. The spices and herbs are specially imported from China and grinded and mixed into the wok. It sounds simple and easy, and I tried it at home. But trust me, it ain’t easy. Something about it that I cannot pinpoint, Mala Project makes it so special. I believe that is why Michellin Bib Gourmand selected Mala Project on the list. It is so addictive, my friends and I call it the crack pot. 

MALA Means Spicy and Numbing Sensation

Because they have more than 50 ingridients, the struggle is real. But I always go for round eye beef, 2 glass noodles, chicken thigh, enoki mushroom, cilantro and wood ear (Oh Damm, now I’m like craving Mala Project like crazy…). And at last, I usually order super spicy. They use the Sichuan peppercorns where your mouth numbs. I usually try to avoid it because it will make you numb like cray. You can order white rice or purple rice and that is it. You wait for it, and dig in. 

With More than 50 Ingredients, the Dish You Can Create Is Un-Limited!

You wonder what Mala exactly means and I did too. Ma means numbing sensation and La means spicy. The owners are from China, and they missed the food that Was authentic Sichuan. So they decided to open one in the city with straight up authenticity. Dry hotpot is relatively a new phenomenon in Sichuan province and it is growing. But also, it seems to be more suitable from modern dining with millennial. And it was perfect for Amelie to bring it to America. 

Mala Project opened a year ago near Saint Marks. The decor is hipster chic and exposed brick wall feels like Brooklyn. The music reminds of the 90’s classic Chinese. There is a giant Chinese character that says “Culture and Manners,” where Amelie remembers when she was growing up in Beijing. 

We had a chat with lovely Chloe at Mala Project, and you can check it out below about Mala Project’s behind story. 

 

We Call Mala Project the Crack Pot & You Will Know Once You Try It

Mala Project definitely stands out among all the other Sichuan restaurants in New York. With so many different choices of Sichuan Food in New York, it can be overwhelming going through Yelp. But if you are lucky and landed on this page, head to Mala Project and you will not regret the visit. But be careful! Because the side effects can be brutal. Once you go Mala Project, you will be wanting to go back the next day. And I am serious about it.

ad: 122 1st ave, New York, NY, 10009

Tel: 212 353 8880