Reminiscent of Yong Tau Foo, Ma La Xiang Guo is essentially a Sichuan dish that comprises of a variety of ingredients stir-fried together with a chili-laden, tongue-numbing gravy made with herbs and spices. While it can get a bit overwhelmingly piquant or greasy, many Ma La joints now allow patrons to choose their preferred spiciness level. Besides, the numbing sensation induced by a robust Ma La sauce is so addictive that its oiliness never deters people from savoring the traditional Chinese platter. And so, we have sussed out the 9 best Ma La Xiang Guo places that we think you should check out when the pangs to indulge in the numbingly spicy dish hits.

1. Ri Ri Hong Mala Xiang Guo

With two outlets in People’s Park Food Centre to cater to the long queues, Ri Ri Hong Mala Xiang Guo is the best place to go to for reasonably-priced Ma La Hot Pot. As opposed to other Ma La joints that charge prices based on the weight of ingredients, Ri Ri Hong Mala Xiang Guo operates on a "per serving" basis, with vegetables costing $1 per serving, meat from $2 per serving, and seafood from $3 per serving. After choosing your preferred ingredients, select your preferred spiciness level – mild, moderate, spicy, extra spicy. People's Park Food Centre, 32 New Market Road #01-1042 & #01-1052 Singapore 050032 (Image: OpenRice user dexarrius)

2. Mala Xiang Guo Ju

Helmed by former restaurant chef, Zhang Bin, Mala Xiang Guo Ju serves a robust Ma La gravy marinated with more than 20 herbs and spices. Prices of vegetables start from $1 onwards, meats from $2 and seafood from $3. People's Park Food Centre, 32 New Market Road 01-1048 Singapore 050032 (Image: Tan Siew Bee)

3. Food Junction’s Fragrant Hot Pot

For a tongue-numbing bowl of Ma La, head down to Food Junction’s Fragrant Hot Pot that boasts a total of three outlets at Bugis Junction, I12 Katong and 313 Somerset. Ingredients are stowed away in the chillers to ensure optimum freshness before they are stir-fried with a flavourful Ma La sauce made with over 20 different herbs and spices. Crunchy peanuts and pepper corns are then added to the Ma La to enhance its flavour and texture. However, do take note that prices are relatively more expensive with seafood ($4.50/100g), compared to meat ($3.20/100g) and vegetables ($1.20/80g). 313 Somerset, 313 Orchard Road #05-01/03 Singapore 238895 Bugis Junction, 200 Victoria Street #03-30 Singapore 188021 I12 Katong, 112 East Coast Road #04-01 Singapore 428802 (Image: OpenRice user waiwai)

4. Shi Ai Mala Xiang Guo

Tucked along the streets of Geylang, Shi Ai Mala Xiang Guo is one for you and your late night supper buddies, as it stays open till 3 am daily. Its Ma La Xiang Guo items are offered at a weight-price conversion, with vegetables costing $1.80 per 100g whereas meat and seafood are priced from $3.80 per 100g onwards. 196A Geylang Road Singapore 389261

5. Food Republic’s Hot Hot Pot

For those of you who are apprehensive of the numbing Ma La Xiang Guo, you will be pleased to know that Food Republic’s Hot Hot Pot allows diners to choose from four different spiciness levels, namely spicy, medium, mild and non-spicy. Vegetables are charged from $1 per 80g onwards, seafood from $4 per 100g onwards and meats from $3 per 100g onwards. During a chilly sweater weather, opt for the Ma La Hot Pot Soup that is infused with a fusion of spices and peppercorns. Alternatively, consume the Dry Ma La Hot Pot together with a bowl of steamed rice for a gratifying meal. Westgate, 3 Gateway Drive #B1-28/2 Singapore 608532 (Image: OpenRice user happytummy dumpty)

6. Jiu Mao Jiu Hotpot

Other than being known for its unique 4-tier Pagoda Steamboat, the Si Chuan restaurant, Jiu Mao Jiu Hotpot also offers authentic Ma La Xiang Guo as well as a variety of Si Chuan fares. While Jiu Mao Jiu Hotpot is similar to other quintessential Ma La joints that charge Ma La ingredients on a weight basis, Jiu Mao Jiu brings the Ma La game up a notch by offering patrons a range of stir-fry methods to select from, including Spicy, Steamboat and Stir-fry with Garlic. PoMo, 1 Selegie Road #01-16 Singapore 188306 (Image: Jiu Mao Jiu Hotpot Facebook Page)

7. Cook House Mala Xiang Guo

Nestled within JEM shopping mall, Cook House Mala Xiang Guo is the perfect spot for you to indulge in a piquant and addictive bowl of Ma La Xiang Guo in between your doses of shopping. Ma La items are charged based on their weight, before they are stir-fried together with the tangy Ma La sauce adjusted to your preferred spiciness level. Head down early to avoid the long queues during lunch and dinner hours! Jem, 50 Jurong Gateway Road #05-01 Singapore 608549 (Image: OpenRice user yukiekew)

8. The Kitchen’s Mala Hot Pot

Situated within Star Vista, The Kitchen’s Mala Hot Pot is a good alternative to indulge in a savoury bowl of Ma La Xiang Guo without having to queue for long hours. However, it can get comparatively more expensive, with vegetables costing $0.80 per 100g onwards, meat at $2.80 per 100g and seafood at $3.80 per 100g. The Star Vista, 1 Vista Exchange Green #02-25/26 Singapore 138617 (Image: OpenRice user aieraqueliese)

9. Foodfare’s Mei's Happy Pot Mala Hotpot

Relish in this Sichuan Mala Xiang Guo at Foodfare’s Mei's Happy Pot Mala Hotpot that packs a tangy punch with the peppercorns sprinkled atop of the Ma La ingredients. Select your preferred vegetables ($1/100g), meats ($2.50/100g) and seafood ($3.50/100g) from the extensive array of items displayed at the counter, including less conventional ingredients like beancurd strips and seaweed strips. This tantalizing dish is best eaten with a bowl of steamed rice ($0.50). Ang Mo Kio Hub, 53 Ang Mo Kio Ave 3 #03-12 Singapore 569933 (Image: OpenRice user Alamakgirl)

Written by Tan Siew Bee