This was my second time having malatang in the last 2 days... you can say that I’m obsessed! It’s the best cheap feed in my opinion, that’s warm, hearty and mouth-watering. It’s like hot pot, but in one personalised bowl.

You begin by choosing your ingredients from a wide selection, into one large bowl e.g. noodles, vegetables, meats, fish cakes/balls etc. You are then moved to the counter where you weigh your bowl and pay accordingly. My bowls tend to be around the $9-$12 mark. Once paid for, you are given a receipt in which you wait for your bowl to be cooked. The workers will call out for your order number and then you are to choose your preferred condiments and spice level. Condiments include sugar, black vinegar, sesame sauce/oil, garlic sauce, pepper oil, and chilli.

I arrived around 12pm on a Monday, and it was quite packed. Considering the lunch time rush, my food was ready within 10 minutes or so. When comparing to the Burwood franchise, the Chinatown joint is a lot more spacious, clean and modern. There isn’t really much customer service orientation here, but they weren’t the nastiest people either.

The photos don’t do the dish justice - if anything, it looks kind of unappealing but trust me, it tastes soo good! It would be great for winter days and as hangover cures 😂

It’s kinda shiok! I ordered mild spicy, sesame sauce and garlic sauce. Hits the right spot, not too overpowering. I was rather confused by the sequence of numbers they call out to, my order was 41 and 42. However, my order was only called out to me when my partner is finishing his food. It’s quite crazy.