Malatang, the customizable Chinese street food, is trending globally as foreigners choose it for dates and birthday meals. Diners enjoy its transparent ingredients, adaptability for allergies, and perceived health benefits from over 20 herbs and spices. It offers an affordable, comforting alternative to traditional dining.
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A growing global craze has seen foreigners flocking to malatang restaurants to celebrate birthdays, go on dates, and enjoy the iconic Chinese street food, sparking widespread online sharing and lively discussions on mainland social media.
Malatang, which literally means "numbing, spicy and hot", is a popular Chinese street food originating from Sichuan Province in southwestern China. It consists of various self-selected meats, vegetables, and noodles boiled in a flavorful broth.
Often described as a "personal hotpot", diners choose their ingredients by weight or skewer, making it a quick, affordable, and comforting meal that caters to diverse tastes.
Since 2025, malatang has been going viral worldwide, taking over streets across the globe and becoming a favorite among foreigners seeking authentic Chinese flavor.
In Japan, visiting malatang shops has become a trendy activity among young women. On social media, it is widely claimed that the broth contains more than 20 kinds of spices and Chinese herbs that can enhance beauty and even aid weight loss.
"There are more than 20 spices in this soup. After drinking it, your skin will glow," said one Japanese woman.
In Germany, some people have even skipped traditional birthday banquets and opted for a malatang restaurant instead, choosing the spicy, customizable dish to celebrate their special day.
Chinese netizens have shared heartwarming and surprising stories of foreigners' love for malatang. A netizen known as "Egg Fried Rice Without Egg" said that when she went on a date with a British man, he took her to a malatang restaurant instead of for drinks. "He asked me if I wanted to try Zhang Liang Malatang. He said it was the best restaurant in all of London in his opinion. I was shocked that he actually knew Zhang Liang Malatang," she recalled.
Another netizen, known online as Biligue, shared that she and her boyfriend enjoy exploring Chinese cuisine in Paris, and her boyfriend has become skilled at ordering malatang. "He does not need any guidance when picking ingredients any more and he even mixes the dipping sauce himself," she said proudly.
Others noted that dining with foreign colleagues can sometimes be stressful due to various food allergies and dietary restrictions. However, malatang — much like a salad bar — is transparent and highly customizable, allowing diners to clearly see what they are choosing while offering far more flavor than a typical salad.
"My German colleague never orders Chinese takeaway because of all sorts of allergy concerns. The first time I took him to eat malatang, he stood in front of the refrigerator for 10 minutes carefully selecting ingredients and finally checked out with a bowl full of vegetables," one netizen shared. "After finishing, he said it was the first time he felt completely at ease eating Chinese food," the netizen added.
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Editor: Crystal H
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