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Good Food is Good Mood at Mala Tang - Mala Tang, Arlington, VA

Mala Tang

4.2

4.2

525 Reviews

$31 to $50

Asian

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 28, 2024

7:00 PM

Booked 3 times today

Good for groups
Innovative
Good for special occasions

The inspiration behind Mala Tang is the street food of Chengdu.. Here you'll find the streets filled with diners sitting at tables gathering around bubbling hot pots, in which dozens of dried chilies bob up and down in an oily red broth, Mala Bites which is the popular skewered dish and the authentic Sichuan stir fried dishes.

Our Spicy Pork Wontons won Arlington's Best Appetizer.

Our Sauce Bar is available nightly for those who like to create their dipping sauces.

We are conveniently located near VA Square Metro Station and a 5-minute walk from Clarendon Area.

Order delivery or takeout

Private dining

Private dining

Book your next event with us

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Asian, Chinese, Sichuan
Hours of operation
Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30 am–4:00 pm Sat, Sun 12:00 pm–4:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu 4:00 pm–9:30 pm Fri–Sun 4:00 pm–10:30 pm
Phone number
(703) 243-2381
Website
http://www.mala-tang.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Chef Peter
Catering
On site and off site Catering is available.
Private party facilities
You and your guests will feel as if you're dining in Chengdu, the home of Sichuan Peppercorns and the inspiration for Mala Tang. Choose from several group menus crafted for large parties or let us create a menu designed just for you.
Private party contact
Restaurant Manager: (703) 243-2381

Location
3434 Washington Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201
Neighborhood
Arlington
Cross street
Terwilliger Apartment
Parking details
COMPLIMENTARY VALIDATED PARKING for 1.5-HOURS MAX at the Garage Adjacent to Mala Tang.
Public transit
From Virginia Square Metro - turn left at N Monroe Street than turn right on Washington Blvd.
Additional
Beer, Corkage Fee, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Menu

Appetizers

Spring Roll (2)$2.95
Juicy Pork Buns$6.00
Vegetable Buns$6.00
Yolk Buns$6.00
Golden Buns with Sweet Cream$6.00
Chengdu Fried Beef Dumplings$6.00
Chengdu Steamed Beef Dumplings$6.00
Green Onion Pancake$4.00
Zhong's Pork Dumplings$6.00
Dan Dan Noodles$7.00
Spicy Szechuan Pork Wontons$6.00
Wooden Earl Mushroom Salad$7.00
Spicy Shredded Pork$7.95
Spicy Cold Noodles$7.00
Cold Mung Bean Noodles$6.00
Spicy Cucumber Salad$6.00
Sweet Cucumber Salad$6.00
Szechuan Pickled Vegetables$3.50
Spicy Dried Beef (Beef Jerky)$7.95
Chengdu Marinated Chicken$7.95
Beef and Beef Tripe with Spicy Sauce$8.95
Spicy Szechuan Beef Tendon$7.95
Dried Bean Curd with Peanuts$6.95
Smoked Duck (1/4 Duck)$8.95

Soups & Chowder

Hot and Sour Soup (cup)$2.50
Chicken Corn Chowder (for 2)$6.95
Bean Curd with Vegetable Soup (for 2)$6.95
Beef Egg Drop Soup with Cilantro (for 2)$7.95
Hot and Sour Seafood Chowder (for 2)$8.95
Seafood Bean Curd Soup (for 2)$8.95
Fish Filet with Sour Mustard Soup (for 2)$8.95

Beef and Lamb

Traditional Szechuan Cuisine. Served with White Rice by default. Extra white rice for $1.50 or substitute to fried rice for $1.50

Cumin Lamb$13.95
Mongolian Lamb$13.95
Stir Fried Strip Beef with Celery$12.95
Mongolian Beef$13.95
Cumin Beef$13.95
Crispy Shredded Beef Szechuan Style$13.95
Stir Fried Beef with Pickled Hot Pepper$11.95
Twice Cooked Beef$11.95
Beef with Garlic Sauce$11.95
Kung Pso Beef with Peanuts$12.95
Beef Cubes with Spicy Dry Chili Peppers$14.95
Beef with Vegetable in Peppery Broth$14.95
Stir Fried Shredded Beef with Dried Bean Curd$11.95
Shredded Beef with Chinese Celery$11.95
Shredded Beef with Bamboo Shoots$11.95

Pork and Tofu

Traditional Szechuan Cuisine. Served with White Rice by default. Extra white rice for $1.50 or substitute to fried rice for $1.50

Ground Pork with Sweet Potato Noodles$10.95
Mapo Tofu with Pork$10.95
Home Style Pork with Tofu$10.95
Kung Pao Tofu with Peanuts$10.95
Twice Cooked Pork with Garlic Leaves$11.95
Pork Intestine with Chili Peppers$13.95
Pork Intestine with Smooth Tofu in Spicy Sauce$13.95
Shredded Pork with Garlic Sauce$11.95
Shredded Pork with Green Hot Peppers$11.95
Pork with Wooden Ear Mushrooms$10.95
Shredded Pork with Chinese Celery$10.95
Shredded Pork with Dry Bean Curd$10.95
Dong Po Braised Pork$15.95

Seafood

Traditional Szechuan Cuisine. Served with White Rice by default. Extra white rice for $1.50 or substitute to fried rice for $1.50

Sweet and Sour Fish$14.95
Fresh Fish Filet with Spicy Bean Sauce$15.95
Fresh Fish Filet with Vegetables in White Sauce$14.95
Fresh Fish Filet in Special Hot Pot Broth$17.95
Flounder and Mixed Vegetables in Spicy Broth$13.95
Cumin Fish$13.95
Fish and Smooth Tofu in Spicy Broth$14.95
Fried Flounder with Garlic$14.95
Fish and Mung Bean Noodles with Spicy Broth$15.95
Kung Pao Jumbo Shrimp with Peanuts$14.95
Jumbo Shrimp with Vegetable in White Sauce$14.95
Jumbo Shrimp with Spicy Szechaun Sauce$14.95
Jumbo Shrimp with Garlic Sauce$14.95
Salt and Peppery Scallops$14.95
Sauteed Jumbo Shrimp with Bok Choy$14.95
Salt and Pepper Jumbo Shrimp$14.95
Stir Fried Surf Clam with Black Bean Sauce$14.95
Stir Fried Clam with ginger and Green Onion$14.95
Salt and Pepper Squid$14.95
Stir Fried Squid with Pickled Hot Peppers$13.95
Stir Fried Lobster with Szechuan Sauce$22.95
Stir Fried Lobster with Ginger and Garlic$22.95

Poultry

Traditional Szechuan Cuisine. Served with White Rice by default. Extra white rice for $1.50 or substitute to fried rice for $1.50

Stir Fried Shredded Chicken with Cucumber$10.95
Cumin Chicken$12.95
Chicken with Garlic Sauce$10.95
Chicken and Vegetable with Spicy Broth$12.95
Chicken with Mixed Hot Peppers$11.95
Shredded Chicken with Pickled Hot Peppers$11.95
Kung Pao Chicken with Peanuts$10.95
Twice Cooked Chicken$10.95
Chicken with Mixed Vegetables in White Sauce$10.95
Diced Chicken with Hot Chili Peppers$12.95
Chengdu Olde Folk's Crispy Duck$15.95
Braised Duck with Taro$15.95
Braised Drunken Duck (cooked with Beef)$15.95

Vegetables

Traditional Szechuan Cuisine. Served with White Rice by default. Extra white rice for $1.50 or substitute to fried rice for $1.50

Stir Fried Spinach with Fresh Garlic$10.95
Stir Fried Watercress with Fresh Garlic$10.95
Stir Fried Dry Bean Crud a Chinese Celery$10.95
Stir Fried Shanghai Green and Shiitake Mushroom$10.95
Stir Fried Celery and Wooden Ear Mushroom$9.95
Stir Fried String Beans$10.95
Stir Fried Chrysanthemum$10.95
Eggplant with Spicy Garlic Sauce$9.95
Eggplant with Chinese BBQ Sauce$9.95
Tiger Skin Hot Peppery$10.95
Shredded Potato Cooked with Green Peppery$8.95

Fried Rice

Brown Rice$2.00
Egg Fried Rice$8.95
Yang Zhou Fried Rice$9.95
Combo Fried Rice$9.95

Noodles

Braised Beef Noodles Soup$8.95
Pork with Pickled Vegetable Noodles Soup$8.95
Triple Delight Noodles Soup$8.95

Mala Dry Pot

An ala Carte Menu - pick two vegetable and starch for $3.5 extra each. Side dish selection will be $5 extra

Lamb Mala Dry Pot$9.00
Sirloin Mala Dry Pot$9.00
Flank Steak Mala Dry Pot$7.00
Lobster Mala Dry Pot$20.00
Flounder Mala Dry Pot$7.00
Fish Tofu Mala Dry Pot$9.00
Prawns in Shell Mala Dry Pot$9.00
Prawns in Mala Dry Pot$10.00
Chicken Mala Dry Pot$7.00
Squid Mala Dry Pot$8.00
Scallops Mala Dry Pot$9.00
Surf Clam Mala Dry Pot$8.00
Crab Stick Mala Dry Pot$7.00
Fish Ball Mala Dry Pot$6.00
Shrimp Ball Mala Dry Pot$7.00
Lobster Ball Mala Dry Pot$7.00
OX Triple Mala Dry Pot$7.00
Pork Rib Tips Mala Dry Pot$7.00
Frog Legs Mala Dry Pot$7.00
Duck Tongue Mala Dry Pot$17.00
Chicken Gizzards Mala Dry Pot$10.00
Duck Gizzards Mala Dry Pot$10.00
Duck Feet Mala Dry Pot$10.00
Goose Feet Mala Dry Pot$10.00
Duck Intestine Mala Dry Pot$10.00
Goose Intestine Mala Dry Pot$10.00

Side Order

Brown Rice$2.00
Extra White Rice (Lg)$3.00
Extra White Rice (Sm)$1.50
Jasmine Iced Tea$2.50
Soda$2.50
Wang Lo Ji Herbal$3.00

What 525 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.2

4.2 based on all time ratings

4.2Food
3.9Service
3.8Ambience
1.9Value

Noise • Moderate

5
4
3
2
1

525 Reviews

J
John
VIP
New York City
116 reviews
4.0
116 reviews
Dined on December 5, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 2
Mala needs to spruce up its facility. One waiter only. Poor guy running whole Place. He was very nice and as quick as possible. Terrible lighting and heat was lacking on a cold night. Kinda sad since the food was very good. Dark and cold last night.
Is this helpful?
D
Debbie
Washington DC
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on November 2, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
This place was on my to do list for a year. Did not disappoint. We had one hot pot, it was okay. Person who ordered said he’d chose more tasteful broth then we realized there were condiment bar he could utilize. Server could have been more helpful in explaining how to eat hot pot. The rest of the dishes we shared family style. Sweet and sour fish was crunchy and soft, a hit with all 5 diners especially our 6 yr old. Braised pork belly with tofu delish and savory. Duck dish as very tasty but the bones were too numerous and dangerously slivered. We did not give to younger diner. Boy choy and shittake was tender, could have added some oyster sauce. Beef w/rice noodles a hot all around too. All in all we throughly enjoyed the food, took home some containers for lunches tomorrow. My husband and I will be back again to try hot pot on our next trips to visit family who live in area.
Is this helpful?
A
Austin
VIP
New York City
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on September 8, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I have gone here numerous times and they have some of the best Chinese food in the area. Highly recommend.
Is this helpful?
E
Edwina
VIP
Richmond
18 reviews
5.0
18 reviews
Dined on May 15, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Delicious food and prompt service. Friendly people. The restaurant validated the parking.
Is this helpful?
D
Diner
Greater Boston
4 reviews
4.0
4 reviews
Dined on April 18, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 3
I liked this restaurant, especially the rice noodles I had. My daughters enjoyed the dry, hot pot, which is stir-fried. My wife had a tofu and green bean dish, which was much too salty for her. As for the service, they were very nice when they were paying attention; however, they said and then just forgot about us for 10 minutes, so I had to get up and find somebody to order a drink and some appetizers while I waited for my family to arrive. Then again, after my family arrived, they checked in once or twice while we were thinking about ordering and then just disappeared for 10 minutes. So I had to get up and find a server. This is not the end of the world, but doing it once isn’t a big deal. But having to get up a second time was just kind of like a WTF moment. There weren’t many people in there, like maybe ten total. So it was odd that they weren’t just paying attention to everybody. There was a gentleman who sat there on his phone. The female server was very nice but not very proactive. There is a sign that says they’re short-staffed, but that didn’t seem to be the problem to me. What else bugs me is my wife got up with two of my kids to get our car. My other daughter and I were sitting at the table as I finished my glass of wine, and my other daughter was picking at the food. And the busser came up and started clearing all the dishes in front of me, which was unnecessary. It was 9 p.m., in the restaurant didn’t have many patrons anymore. They should ask the busser to wait until we’ve left the table. I politely asked the busser to come back after we left.
Is this helpful?
RP
RexP
Washington DC
2 reviews
2.0
2 reviews
Dined on April 18, 2024
1. Overall 2
2. Food 1
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 3
Avoid this place if vegetarian, food bland with minimal effort. Looks like frozen veggies were used, not fresh. Stingy on variety of veggies. Overpriced, meat dishes looked somewhat better but not worth it.
Is this helpful?
EB
EdwardB
New York City
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on April 15, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Our first time there and we were very impressed. Food was terrific and the staff was very accommodating and professional. Could have used better directions to the parking garage. Thank you!
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
VIP
Washington DC
44 reviews
5.0
44 reviews
Dined on April 5, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
Great dining experience! We had the soup dumplings (our favorite), the low mein and they custom made green beans and chicken for us .
Is this helpful?
JG
JenGee
VIP
Washington DC
16 reviews
1.0
16 reviews
Dined on March 31, 2024
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 1
My sister and I decided to try this restaurant out. It was out first and will be our last time. Service was terrible, the lady who came and gave us water didn’t say a word and was not friendly at all. Took over 15 min for our waiter to actually come to our table to take our order, but he was friendly and nice. I realized they were short staffed so gave them the benefit of the doubt. Food was terrible and not worth what we paid for.
Is this helpful?
M
Marina66
Washington DC
25 reviews
5.0
25 reviews
Dined on February 14, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
We had a nice Valentine's Day lunch. I would recommend
Is this helpful?

FAQs

Mala Tang offers delivery in partnership with Postmates and Uber Eats. Mala Tang also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (703) 243-2381.

Mala Tang is rated 4.2 stars by 525 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 28, 2024

7:00 PM

Booked 3 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Mala Tang

3434 Washington Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201

Additional information

Cross street
Terwilliger Apartment
Neighborhood
Arlington
Hours of operation
Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30 am–4:00 pm Sat, Sun 12:00 pm–4:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu 4:00 pm–9:30 pm Fri–Sun 4:00 pm–10:30 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Asian, Chinese, Sichuan
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
COMPLIMENTARY VALIDATED PARKING for 1.5-HOURS MAX at the Garage Adjacent to Mala Tang.
Public transit
From Virginia Square Metro - turn left at N Monroe Street than turn right on Washington Blvd.
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Chef Peter
Additional
Beer, Corkage Fee, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.mala-tang.com/
Phone number
(703) 243-2381
Catering
On site and off site Catering is available.
Private party facilities
You and your guests will feel as if you're dining in Chengdu, the home of Sichuan Peppercorns and the inspiration for Mala Tang. Choose from several group menus crafted for large parties or let us create a menu designed just for you.
Private party contact
Restaurant Manager: (703) 243-2381

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