Mala Noodle

Name: Mala Noodle
Address: 215 Thayer St, Providence, RI, 02906, US
Telephone: 401-285-9999
Price range: $$

Sichuan$$

Mon-Sun 11am-11pm

Mala: Literally "numbing-hot": the Sichuan pairing of chili (la) with Sichuan peppercorn (ma), which leaves a tingling numbness on the lips. Most associated with Chongqing, it flavors hot pot, malatang, dry pots and stir-fries; a dish labeled mala should have both. On this menu as: MaLa-Tang (build-your-own numbing-spicy soup) · MaLa-Xiang Guo (dry pot).
Hunan-style: Hunan (Xiang) cooking is as hot as Sichuan's but leans on fresh and pickled chilies, smoked meats and sour notes instead of numbing peppercorn. Steamed fish head with chopped chili and Chairman Mao's red-braised pork are the signature dishes; "Hunan beef" on American menus is a chili-and-vegetable stir-fry inspired by the style. On this menu as: MaLa-Xiang Guo (dry pot).
Sweet and sour: Battered pork, chicken or shrimp in a bright glaze of vinegar, sugar and ketchup or hawthorn, with pineapple, onion and bell pepper. The Cantonese original (gu lao rou) is tangier and less neon than the takeout version. On this menu as: Sweet & Sour Pork (锅包肉).

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