Mala Sichuan Bistro

Mala Sichuan Bistro Restaurant Review:

This inside-the-loop branch of the popular Chinatown eatery is more upscale than the original, thanks to two elegant floors with brightly painted wall murals, Chinese décor and a sleek downstairs bar next to a small patio, which make for an inviting setting for lunch or dinner. And the menu offers some of the best --- if not the best --- Sichuan cuisine in Houston. Sichuan peppercorns and the bright red chile oil make dishes extra spicy, and that’s just fine with us. The authentic fare includes dan dan noodles, crispy peppercorn chicken and salt-and-pepper squid, along with such exotic dishes as duck tongue and bullfrog. Glass noodles with pork intestine taste much better than they sound, as do the paper-thin slices of tripe drenched with the aforementioned hot chile oil. There are plenty of vegetarian selections, too, from spicy green beans to tofu chunks in bean curd sauce, as well as several fish pots. Nicely curated wines and craft beers are available, but we like to finish our meal with a strong cup of tea.