Ma La - best shared and probably the only way to eat it. Ma La gives people the chance to customise their meals from choosing the ingredients they want all the way to controlling the spice level of their piping hot dish. For starters, Ma La is a spicy and numbing seasoning made from Sichuan peppercorn and chili pepper. The best part about Ma La is that it goes well with everything from your usual ingredients to even favourite snacks such as fries and chips. Ma La is definitely here to stay. However, the backlash would always be that Ma La is too oily so here we have narrowed down our five top recommendations for the best Ma La!
Ma La Xiang Guo @ JEM
Located at the very top floor of JEM Shopping Centre, visitors would often be greeted with the warmth and strong aroma of the Ma La from a few stalls away and just when you get closer, you'd also be able to spot the long snaking queue that seems almost endless. Though the stall opens quite early in the morning, most people would often crowd around the area during lunch and dinner time. What makes this Ma La exceptionally deliciously is the generous amounts of Sichuan peppercorn and chili pepper on top of their fresh ingredients that is cooked to perfection. So, if you're ever looking for an air-conditioned stall to visit for great Ma La, head down to Ma La Xiang Guo (recommended before 8pm because most ingredients would have sold out by then).
Address: KouFu Foodcourt 50, 05-01 Jurong Gateway Rd, 608549
Opening hours: Daily from 10am to 9:30pm
Gong Yuan Ma La Tang
If you're unfamiliar with the name, the icon's image would definitely stick in your head. More famously known for their cool llama mascot, Gong Yuan Ma La Tang has outlets scattered all over Singapore making it incredibly accessible for those craving Ma La. However, what they are best known for (and should gain more recognition for it) is their soup base options. Most Ma La places cook their dishes using the very usual standard pork broth but with Gong Yuan Ma La Tang, it's different. Customers get the chance to choose their broth flavours according to their preference and they are; pickled vegetables, pork bone, mushroom, Ma La and tomato. While most enjoy the classic pork broth, others have also mentioned that the other broths helps to enhance certain flavours of the peppercorns and chilli, making the dish more suitable for their tastebuds. For more information about their location, check out their Instagram!
Price: Starts from $18 per pax
Opening hours: Daily from 10am to 9:30pm
Green on Earth
From the name itself, you can assume that this place caters to vegetarians however, they also do have meat choices available for those who wants them. Green on Earth is definitely not oily - the dish is very light coat of oil but that does not mean that it is less flavourful. Plenty of customers have left the store saying that the Ma La tastes healthy and refreshing due to the the luscious and fresh greens that helps to reduce the spiciness and numbness of the dishes. Located in Rail Mall, the interior of the restaurant provides a very modern and simplistic structure that gives customers plenty of room to roam around. This spacious and refreshing environment helps customer to cool down while eating the spicy Ma La dishes. Additionally, during lunch hours on Monday to Thursdays customers get 50% off certain dishes! Click here for their menu!
Price: Starts from $5
Address: 386 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 678043
Opening hours: Daily from 11am-10pm
Contact: 6769 2230
Wan Xing Ma La
Wan Xing Ma La brings people together through their wide range of food items and set meals that are insanely affordable. Dubbed as a popular supper spot, patrons would often linger around the area to grab a bite of their fresh ingredients (yes, even their seafood). The stall also has a number of usual customers because of their addicting dishes and flavours. Some of their Ma La dishes also have an interesting pairing but it is all ultimately up to your taste. Their ala carte menu is also worth bragging such as their Chong Qing Grilled Fish ($28.60). On top of that, the stall is air-conditioned!
Price: Set meals starts from $34
Address: Upper Serangoon Rd 1008 Singapore 534744
Opening hours: Daily, 11am-3am
Contact: 9887 3317
Thye Guan Fragrant Hotpot (Ma La) @ Happy Hawkers, Sembawang
With their ingredients kept cooled, all day round, the ingredients look and taste especially fresh right off the bowl. This Ma La is perfect for those who could not handle the spicy and again, this does not mean that the dish is any less flavourful, if anything, this place amazes me with their close-to authentic taste. The cooks take every dish seriously and cooks it with so much passion despite its long queue (especially during dinner time) so it is guaranteed that your order could never be wrong.
Price: Starts from $2
Address: Happy Hawkers 406A Sembawang Dr, Singapore 751406
Opening hours: Daily, 11am-11pm
