Malatang has become a favourite in Dubai for diners looking for a spicy, comforting, and completely customisable meal, making a malatang places in Dubai an easy choice for those who enjoy building their own bowl. The Sichuan-style dish lets you choose everything that goes into your bowl, from leafy greens and mushrooms to noodles, tofu, seafood, and sliced meats, before everything is cooked in a fragrant broth.
Dubai has several places where you can enjoy malatang in different ways. Some focus on the classic pay-by-weight format, while others combine it with hotpot and barbecue. Here are some of the best places to try it, depending on the kind of experience you are after.
1. WEMART Foodcourt
For a casual introduction to malatang, WEMART’s food court is a good place to start. The pick-your-own-ingredients format makes the meal feel more like a trip through an Asian food market than a conventional restaurant visit. The DIP location is particularly known for its malatang counter, with a wide selection of fresh vegetables and other ingredients.
Choose what you want from the chilled displays, have your bowl weighed and then select your preferred broth. You can keep things light with vegetables, mushrooms and noodles or add seafood, tofu and sliced meats for a more filling meal.
- Location: WEMART Foodcourt, Dubai Investment Park.
- Timings: Check with the branch before visiting, as hours can vary.
- Price: Pay-by-weight, with the final cost depending on your ingredients and portion.
2. Hotpot Master DMCC
If you want more variety than a straightforward malatang bowl, Hotpot Master in JLT combines malatang with hotpot and barbecue. Its malatang menu includes classic spicy broth, a dry-mixed version, vine pepper soup and bone broth.
The dry-mixed option is particularly different from the usual soup-based bowl, combining ingredients with chilli, garlic and sauce. There is also an all-you-can-eat hotpot and BBQ option if you are dining with a group.
- Location: Lake Terrace Tower, Cluster D, Jumeirah Lakes Towers.
- Timings: 11 am to midnight daily.
- Price: Around AED 50–100 per person, with malatang available separately.
3. YaLu Jiang Barbeque Restaurant
YaLu Jiang is worth considering if you want malatang-style flavours as part of a bigger group meal. The Al Barsha restaurant combines Chinese hotpot with Korean-style barbecue, allowing diners to cook their selections at the table.
Its buffet format includes vegetables, seafood and meats, while the barbecue adds another element to the meal. Private dining spaces also make it suitable for celebrations and larger gatherings.
- Location: Al Telal Building 5, Al Barsha 1.
- Timings: 11 am to 2 am daily.
- Price: Around AED 50–100 per person, depending on the package.
4. The Ma Yu Tao Malatang Experience
For a more dedicated malatang experience, Ma Yu Tao in International City takes the individual-bowl approach. Each diner gets a personal pot, allowing you to choose your own combination of ingredients without sharing a communal hotpot.
One of its standout options is the calcium-rich milk bone broth, which offers a creamy and savoury alternative to the fiery Sichuan-style soup. You can also build your bowl with vegetables, mushrooms, tofu, noodles and proteins.
- Location: China C14-S10, Warsan First, China Cluster.
- Timings: Listed as operating from 10 am until 6 am.
- Price: Approximately AED 30–50 per person, depending on the ingredients selected.
5. Haidilao Hot Pot
Haidilao is not a traditional malatang restaurant, but it is a good option for anyone who enjoys spicy broth, fresh ingredients and plenty of customisation. Instead of receiving a prepared bowl, you select your ingredients and cook them yourself at the table.
The experience comes with multiple soup bases, a large sauce station and the chain’s well-known hand-pulled noodle performances. Its Dubai Mall location also makes it convenient for a longer hotpot meal after shopping or a day out in Downtown Dubai.
- Location: Level 1, China Town, Dubai Mall.
- Timings: Open late, with closing times varying by day.
- Price: Around AED 80 and upwards for two, depending on what you order.
Which Malatang Spot Should You Try?
For a classic pay-by-weight bowl, WEMART is the most straightforward choice. For more broth and preparation options, Hotpot Master is worth considering. Ma Yu Tao is ideal for a dedicated individual-pot experience, while YaLu Jiang works particularly well for groups who want hotpot and barbecue together.
For a more polished, sit-down experience, Haidilao offers something different from traditional malatang while keeping customisation and hotpot at the heart of the meal.
FAQs
What is malatang?
Malatang is a Chinese Sichuan dish where diners choose their own combination of ingredients, which are then cooked in a seasoned, often spicy broth.
Is malatang always very spicy?
Not necessarily. Many restaurants offer different broth options, including milder and non-spicy choices.
How is malatang different from hotpot?
Malatang is generally prepared as an individual bowl after you select your ingredients. Hotpot is usually cooked at the table, with diners adding ingredients to a shared or individual simmering pot.
Is malatang expensive in Dubai?
It can be quite affordable, particularly at restaurants that use a pay-by-weight system. Your final bill depends on the ingredients and quantity you choose.
Which areas have malatang in Dubai?
You can find malatang and similar hotpot experiences across areas including Dubai Investment Park, International City, JLT and Al Barsha.
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