Malatang, maocai and hot pot are three of the best-known dishes in Sichuan cooking, and they share a lot: bold broths, Sichuan pepper and plenty of chilli. The difference is mostly in who cooks, how it's served and how you pay.
| Malatang 麻辣烫 | Maocai 冒菜 | Hot pot 火锅 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who cooks | The kitchen | The kitchen | You, at the table |
| How you choose | Pick raw ingredients yourself | Order a set dish, or pick your own | Order plates for the table |
| Serving | Your own bowl | Your own bowl, often with rice | Shared pot |
| Broth | Many choices, spicy or not | Rich, spicy Sichuan broth | Usually one or two broths per pot |
| At Ace Hot Pot | $4.68/100g, 9 bases | From $22.80, or $4.68/100g | Not served |
Malatang
Malatang is the build-your-own option. You fill a bowl from the fridges, choose a soup base and spice level, pay by weight, and the kitchen cooks it. It's ideal if you like control over every ingredient. See our malatang soup bases.
Maocai
Maocai is often called "hot pot for one". The ingredients are simmered in a rich, spicy Sichuan broth and served in a bowl with rice. At Ace Hot Pot you can order a signature maocai, like spicy roasted duck, tender beef slices or sliced black fish, or ask for any self-selected ingredients to be cooked maocai style at $4.68 per 100g. See our maocai.
Hot pot
Traditional hot pot is a shared, sit-down meal: a pot of broth bubbles on the table and everyone cooks their own ingredients in it. It's a long, social meal. Ace Hot Pot doesn't do table-top hot pot. Instead we cook each bowl in the kitchen, so it's quicker, and everyone can have their own broth and spice level.
Which should I choose?
- Want to pick everything yourself? Malatang.
- Want a bold Sichuan classic without deciding much? Maocai.
- Can't decide? Order a malatang and share a plate of sesame dumplings.