At this very minute, if you're in Thailand or traveling around Thailand and you don't know Mala—the spicy chili from Sichuan, China—you're probably missing out big time! Mala is one of those super popular spices that Thai people are crazy about nowadays. Whether it's on a spicy meat stick, in a hot pot, stir fry, or pretty much anywhere else, they throw it into everything to spice things up.
One restaurant you absolutely can't miss for Mala is Haidilao, a franchise of Mala hot pot from China. It's been the talk of the town for quite a few years now in Thailand, and part of the fame comes from their service, which is so top-notch, I'd almost say it's over the top.
When you inevitably end up waiting in line (it's always packed), they keep you entertained with free meals, desserts, snacks, ice cream, and even a massage chair right in front for you to relax in before entering the restaurant. Wait.. don't forget about the free nail service.. I actually went this time because I wanted my nail done at no cost #lol
Inside, the food here never disappoint. You're greeted with a fresh salad ready to be dressed, and the meat? Super fresh, super good quality, but hey, you pay for what you get. It's a bit on the pricier side compared to other places.
But the fun doesn't stop there! You can mix and match sauces yourself, and if you lack culinary creativity, they've got recipes for you. Garlic, ginger, sauces, spices, more chilies—you name it, make it yourself.
Another highlight.. (so many highlights here, I know!) Ordering fresh noodles, made right in front of you and even plopped in the pot for you. The texture is something to rave about. And don't you dare forget about their spicy soup—you can choose up to four of them in one pot.
This time, it was just two of us, and we weren't all that hungry (we really went for the nail salon :D), so we ordered one type of regular soup. We didn't order many items but still ended up paying 700 THB for the whole meal. You might spend even more when you're feeling peckish, but trust me, the quality's worth every THB. Totally recommend!