Glad we decided to pull in and give this place a chance. The mapo tofu is highly recommended.
Kasper L.
This is my new favorite place for Chinese food! I've only had this place to-go but it's delicious. I thought the boiled beef with chili was excellent and the house made tofu. I'd love to come try their dumplings
Annie C.
No one greeted us when we first arrived so we figured out to scan the QR code for the menu and just grabbed a table on our own. Eventually a server did ask if we wanted to drink something. The food itself however, was delicious! I would consider take-out for the future, but they did have a robot delivering food to you, if you would like to try that once. The food was really flavorful and seemed authentic. The yogurt drinks can be customized for sugar level; it has a tiny sour taste which is expected as the name suggests but not over powering. I would definitely go back again and try more dishes!
Noah D.
Shown - BBQ pork bao bun with signature spicy chicken Very good! Service was neat - you place your order through an app and then they bring it to you. Family oriented atmosphere and authentic Sichuan flavors - would reccomend!
Lulu
If I could give them zero star, I would. Terrible service! The staff was so rude and inattentive. We had to wait for ages to get our food, and when it finally arrived, it was poorly cooked and contained a lot of stuff inedible. WILL NEVER NEVER return to this place again.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Huisuk Kim
Food was good but the side bowl wasn't clean...
Cher Lopez
Second time I have been there. YUM!!! Had potstickers, Dan Dan noodles, eggrolls, bbq pork buns, chix fried rice and cumin lamb. Oh, hot and sour soup. All so good. Small place, but cozy. Love it!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: beef fried rice 牛肉炒饭
Logan Crawford
One of my new go to restaurants. Great place to bring someone with and to share. The food was delicious and the staff are really friendly.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Shanicy A.
The salt & pepper shrimp here is so good & has a unique flavor. It's a lot of food for a really good price honestly, I'll definitely be visiting again!
Christina B.
So, my brother and I were planning on going to get another dinner, but the place was closed due to flu, so we drove around and found Mala Chili. Obviously God was watching over us because this place was fantastic! Everything's kind of automated, you order from your table on your phone... And then a robot, and a server brings your food over, and it is amazing. I highly recommend the crispy chicken with peppers, the eggplant is amazing and a tad spicy. I also really enjoyed the many drinks they offer, I got the melon with yogurt and it was perfect. We also had the hot and sour soup and the honey walnut shrimp. But somehow that part of our order got lost, and by the time they finally got it to the table, we were full. So we had to take that home however, it reheats. definitely going back
Nut allergy - I was fine with what we ordered and highlighted my allergy on the order.A small restaurant in a big plaza, Mala Chili has about 12 tables inside. Funny enough they have a kiosk to order to-go at the door, though we also saw many people calling in and picking up. The staff speak English and Chinese.Service was extremely fast - dishes came out within 15 minutes of ordering. They've got a cute robot server that will bring out a few dishes.For two people, we got the following and had leftovers:- Spicy Chicken (4.5/5): As other reviews indicate, the portions are great, the chicken is on the levels of Korean Fried Chicken of crispy, and it's got the right about of numbing heat. Great with rice.- Hoof Flower Soup (1.5/5): Portions aren't great for the price and we actually thought it needed more salt. The pieces are more bone than anything. They did say that they're trying to dial this one in after being told it was too salty.- Red Oil Bamboo Shoots (3.5/5): Also good portions and good with rice. A little too oily, but it's in the name!- Beef Rice Noodle Soup Spicy (3/5 - 4/5): I thought we made a mistake ordering rice noodles. They were initially bland. But the meat and vegetables were pretty flavorful! I let it cool down a bit and tried the noodles again after 5-10 minutes and I think they absorbed some of the soup, giving them a good flavor. Maybe the lingering flavor was from another dish but I upped my rating with time.- Purple Rice Yogurt drink (4/5): Honestly just a unique experience that I'd recommend trying. It wasn't really for me but if you like Yakult you'll probably like it.Overall, the value is great for the dishes they did well and I will return to try the mapu tofu, maoxuewang and other specialties.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Spicy Chicken
Dylan G
Excellent authentic Chinese! Enjoyed the xiaolongbao as well as the cumin lamb. It is great they have Yomie’s drinks too. Looking forward to coming back and trying more off of their menu!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
李美好
This is my first time in Austin, and to my surprise, they not only sell spicy dishes, but also the most classic food "soup dumplings" xiaolongbao. This is my favorite dish when I just want a quick bite. They were juicy and flavorful, and the dipping sauce was perfect, a little spicy, and used my favorite Kikkoman soy sauce.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tk T.
Authentic Chinese food, we really enjoyed eating here. The spice level can be adjusted to suit your preference.
David P.
Nut allergy - I was fine with what we ordered and highlighted my allergy on the order. A small restaurant in a big plaza, Mala Chili has about 12 tables inside. Funny enough they have a kiosk to order to-go at the door, though we also saw many people calling in and picking up. The staff speak English and Chinese. Service was extremely fast - dishes came out within 15 minutes of ordering. They've got a cute robot server that will bring out a few dishes. For two people, we got the following and had leftovers: - Spicy Chicken (4.5/5): As other reviews indicate, the portions are great, the chicken is on the levels of Korean Fried Chicken of crispy, and it's got the right about of numbing heat. Great with rice. - Hoof Flower Soup (1.5/5): Portions aren't great for the price and we actually thought it needed more salt. The pieces are more bone than anything. They did say that they're trying to dial this one in after being told it was too salty. - Red Oil Bamboo Shoots (3.5/5): Also good portions and good with rice. A little too oily, but it's in the name! - Beef Rice Noodle Soup Spicy (3/5 - 4/5): I thought we made a mistake ordering rice noodles. They were initially bland. But the meat and vegetables were pretty flavorful! I let it cool down a bit and tried the noodles again after 5-10 minutes and I think they absorbed some of the soup, giving them a good flavor. Maybe the lingering flavor was from another dish but I upped my rating with time. - Purple Rice Yogurt drink (4/5): Honestly just a unique experience that I'd recommend trying. It wasn't really for me but if you like Yakult you'll probably like it. Overall, the value is great for the dishes they did well and I will return to try the mapu tofu, maoxuewang and other specialties.
Glad we decided to pull in and give this place a chance. The mapo tofu is highly recommended.
This is my new favorite place for Chinese food! I've only had this place to-go but it's delicious. I thought the boiled beef with chili was excellent and the house made tofu. I'd love to come try their dumplings
No one greeted us when we first arrived so we figured out to scan the QR code for the menu and just grabbed a table on our own. Eventually a server did ask if we wanted to drink something. The food itself however, was delicious! I would consider take-out for the future, but they did have a robot delivering food to you, if you would like to try that once. The food was really flavorful and seemed authentic. The yogurt drinks can be customized for sugar level; it has a tiny sour taste which is expected as the name suggests but not over powering. I would definitely go back again and try more dishes!
Shown - BBQ pork bao bun with signature spicy chicken Very good! Service was neat - you place your order through an app and then they bring it to you. Family oriented atmosphere and authentic Sichuan flavors - would reccomend!
If I could give them zero star, I would. Terrible service! The staff was so rude and inattentive. We had to wait for ages to get our food, and when it finally arrived, it was poorly cooked and contained a lot of stuff inedible. WILL NEVER NEVER return to this place again.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Food was good but the side bowl wasn't clean...
Second time I have been there. YUM!!! Had potstickers, Dan Dan noodles, eggrolls, bbq pork buns, chix fried rice and cumin lamb. Oh, hot and sour soup. All so good. Small place, but cozy. Love it!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: beef fried rice 牛肉炒饭
One of my new go to restaurants. Great place to bring someone with and to share. The food was delicious and the staff are really friendly.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
The salt & pepper shrimp here is so good & has a unique flavor. It's a lot of food for a really good price honestly, I'll definitely be visiting again!
So, my brother and I were planning on going to get another dinner, but the place was closed due to flu, so we drove around and found Mala Chili. Obviously God was watching over us because this place was fantastic! Everything's kind of automated, you order from your table on your phone... And then a robot, and a server brings your food over, and it is amazing. I highly recommend the crispy chicken with peppers, the eggplant is amazing and a tad spicy. I also really enjoyed the many drinks they offer, I got the melon with yogurt and it was perfect. We also had the hot and sour soup and the honey walnut shrimp. But somehow that part of our order got lost, and by the time they finally got it to the table, we were full. So we had to take that home however, it reheats. definitely going back
Restaurantji Recommends
Nut allergy - I was fine with what we ordered and highlighted my allergy on the order.A small restaurant in a big plaza, Mala Chili has about 12 tables inside. Funny enough they have a kiosk to order to-go at the door, though we also saw many people calling in and picking up. The staff speak English and Chinese.Service was extremely fast - dishes came out within 15 minutes of ordering. They've got a cute robot server that will bring out a few dishes.For two people, we got the following and had leftovers:- Spicy Chicken (4.5/5): As other reviews indicate, the portions are great, the chicken is on the levels of Korean Fried Chicken of crispy, and it's got the right about of numbing heat. Great with rice.- Hoof Flower Soup (1.5/5): Portions aren't great for the price and we actually thought it needed more salt. The pieces are more bone than anything. They did say that they're trying to dial this one in after being told it was too salty.- Red Oil Bamboo Shoots (3.5/5): Also good portions and good with rice. A little too oily, but it's in the name!- Beef Rice Noodle Soup Spicy (3/5 - 4/5): I thought we made a mistake ordering rice noodles. They were initially bland. But the meat and vegetables were pretty flavorful! I let it cool down a bit and tried the noodles again after 5-10 minutes and I think they absorbed some of the soup, giving them a good flavor. Maybe the lingering flavor was from another dish but I upped my rating with time.- Purple Rice Yogurt drink (4/5): Honestly just a unique experience that I'd recommend trying. It wasn't really for me but if you like Yakult you'll probably like it.Overall, the value is great for the dishes they did well and I will return to try the mapu tofu, maoxuewang and other specialties.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Spicy Chicken
Excellent authentic Chinese! Enjoyed the xiaolongbao as well as the cumin lamb. It is great they have Yomie’s drinks too. Looking forward to coming back and trying more off of their menu!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is my first time in Austin, and to my surprise, they not only sell spicy dishes, but also the most classic food "soup dumplings" xiaolongbao. This is my favorite dish when I just want a quick bite. They were juicy and flavorful, and the dipping sauce was perfect, a little spicy, and used my favorite Kikkoman soy sauce.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Authentic Chinese food, we really enjoyed eating here. The spice level can be adjusted to suit your preference.
Nut allergy - I was fine with what we ordered and highlighted my allergy on the order. A small restaurant in a big plaza, Mala Chili has about 12 tables inside. Funny enough they have a kiosk to order to-go at the door, though we also saw many people calling in and picking up. The staff speak English and Chinese. Service was extremely fast - dishes came out within 15 minutes of ordering. They've got a cute robot server that will bring out a few dishes. For two people, we got the following and had leftovers: - Spicy Chicken (4.5/5): As other reviews indicate, the portions are great, the chicken is on the levels of Korean Fried Chicken of crispy, and it's got the right about of numbing heat. Great with rice. - Hoof Flower Soup (1.5/5): Portions aren't great for the price and we actually thought it needed more salt. The pieces are more bone than anything. They did say that they're trying to dial this one in after being told it was too salty. - Red Oil Bamboo Shoots (3.5/5): Also good portions and good with rice. A little too oily, but it's in the name! - Beef Rice Noodle Soup Spicy (3/5 - 4/5): I thought we made a mistake ordering rice noodles. They were initially bland. But the meat and vegetables were pretty flavorful! I let it cool down a bit and tried the noodles again after 5-10 minutes and I think they absorbed some of the soup, giving them a good flavor. Maybe the lingering flavor was from another dish but I upped my rating with time. - Purple Rice Yogurt drink (4/5): Honestly just a unique experience that I'd recommend trying. It wasn't really for me but if you like Yakult you'll probably like it. Overall, the value is great for the dishes they did well and I will return to try the mapu tofu, maoxuewang and other specialties.