Hello! This time, let's head to a Chinese restaurant that has been making waves in the media! ◇Mala King Tofu (Ma La Wang Dou Fu) I found a menu that makes you drool just by climbing the stairs! ●Mala King Tofu Set ●Dan Dan Noodles Set ●Ladies Set ●Sichuan Fried Rice Set ●Japan's Number One Mala King Hell Noodles ◇Featured in the Media It has been introduced in various magazines, with Maho Takahashi and Shota Mamiya also praising it! This definitely raises expectations, right? ◇Arriving at the Restaurant After climbing the stairs to the 3rd floor, I finally arrived! It was just before 12 o'clock, so there were only two groups of customers. Both were dining alone, creating a welcoming atmosphere for solo diners. ◇Menu I had already checked the menu before arriving at the restaurant, but I double-checked just in case. ●Mala King Tofu 980 yen ●Mala King Fried Rice 800 yen ●La La Noodles 800 yen ●Twice-Cooked Pork 900 yen ●Shrimp and Lettuce Fried Rice 900 yen All come with soup and rice (for main dishes only)! It's nice that you can also order a half-size side dish with a lunch set. They all look delicious, but I decided to order the signature dish that is also in the restaurant's name! ◇Mala King Tofu (980 yen) The Mala King Tofu comes with pickled vegetables, rice, and soup! It may look small at first glance, but each component is quite filling. ◇Pickled Vegetables The pickled vegetables have a crunchy texture that goes well with rice. They are lightly seasoned with Mala, allowing you to enjoy the aroma as well. ◇Egg Soup The egg and seaweed soup is thick and hearty. The rich broth has a gentle flavor that soothes your stomach when eating spicy food. ◇Here comes the Mala King Tofu! And finally, it's time to taste the main dish, Mala King Tofu. Topped with a sprinkle of green onions, the tofu is piled high on the plate! The fragrance of Sichuan peppercorns fills the air as soon as it's placed on the table. The minced meat sauce is overflowing with flavor. The Sichuan peppercorns and spicy Mala seasoning are prominent, but you can also taste the individual flavors of each ingredient and seasoning. The tofu is well coated with the sauce, and the minced meat is so flavorful that it's almost too intense (in a good way!). Be prepared to handle the spiciness, as the first bite may leave you breathless (I coughed for about a minute!). This Mala King Tofu, with its rich spiciness, makes it easy to understand why it has so many fans. It was a delicious and satisfying meal.

It's been a while since I visited. I ordered my usual favorite, mapo tofu. The moment I put it in my mouth, the numbing "ma" and spicy "la" hit me. The tofu is pre-boiled and well drained, firm and packed with flavor. There seems to be a lot of chili oil, but the overall flavor is a bit mild? Yet, the well-seasoned minced meat adds a nice touch and makes the rice go down smoothly. But somehow, isn't the salt a bit lighter than before?

I will start by sharing my personal ratings for two dishes. Mapo Tofu 1.0, Dumplings 3.4 (out of 5.0) I wanted to try a new Sichuan cuisine restaurant, so I visited a highly-rated restaurant in Shinjuku. It is conveniently located near Shinjuku Station, but you can only access the restaurant by stairs up to the 3rd floor. The interior has a nice atmosphere, and the slightly intimidating demeanor of the staff adds to the overall experience. I ordered a stir-fried jellyfish dish (no photo), the signature Mapo Tofu with extra spicy option for an additional 100 yen (total of 1500 yen tax included), and handmade dumplings. We also had two drinks each for two people, totaling around 5500 yen. The Mapo Tofu, priced at around 1500 yen, was surprisingly small in size. It is quite unusual as similar restaurants tend to serve larger portions. Despite the higher price, the portion was about half the size compared to other places I frequent. The taste was unexpectedly light and refreshing, with no noticeable spiciness. It is suitable for those who do not like spicy food, although it is evident that a good amount of oil was used. Rating: 1.0 The handmade dumplings had a chewy skin and flavorful filling. In stark contrast to the Mapo Tofu, the dumplings had a rich and robust taste. Rating: 3.4 Some people may find this spicy, but taste preferences vary. Personally, if you do not like spicy food and prefer lighter flavors, this place may suit you. However, based on my personal experience, I find it unlikely that I will revisit this restaurant. Thank you for the meal.

I decided to try spicy food from Sichuan and chose this restaurant in the Shinjuku area or Shibuya area because their mapo tofu looked delicious. However, when I made a reservation through Tabelog, I saw that they offered all-you-can-eat with a variety of dishes, so I thought it was promising. When I visited on the day, there were hardly any Sichuan dishes available, but they said they could adjust the spiciness level. I asked for some dishes to be made spicy, but what I got was dishes sprinkled with red chili pepper... Not going back again.

The food was really spicy, but as someone who loves spicy food but has a weak mucous membrane constitution, the medium spiciness level was entertaining enough. It was Sichuan cuisine, so the restaurant was not bad at all, in fact, it was quite exciting. However, it was extremely spicy. With each bite, I found myself struggling to breathe as the capsaicin hit the back of my throat, causing me to cough. It wasn't until about the third bite that I was able to eat without coughing. I ended up positioning the mapo tofu on the side of my mouth instead of on my tongue to lessen the spiciness. The rice, pickled vegetables, and soup oil helped to mellow out the heat, and I was amazed as I drank the soup. It was enjoyable and delicious, but overwhelmingly spicy.

#takalog #Takalog #Spicy King Tofu 3-21-2 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Zen Nichi Daisan Building 3F Mapo tofu Spicy hot pot is spicy but delicious Shinjuku Thank you for the meal at Shinjuku Sanchome Gourmet Foodie

On the weekend, I had some errands to run in Shinjuku and wanted to have lunch before that. I was looking for Sichuan cuisine and stumbled upon a famous restaurant, but decided to save it for next time. I ended up at a place known for its authentic mapo tofu. However, when I arrived, there was a sign saying "preparing." I had less than 30 minutes until the end of lunch service, so I took a chance and went in. Luckily, they were still taking orders. I looked at the menu and saw they had lunch sets like mapo tofu, twice-cooked pork, lemon chicken, shredded pork with green peppers, and tantan noodles. I wanted to try them all, but my stomach was small. After much deliberation, I ordered the twice-cooked pork set and the mapo tofu (spicy version). The twice-cooked pork was slightly sweet and not very spicy, with cabbage as the main vegetable. It was very delicious and went well with rice. As for the mapo tofu, it was indeed spicy but felt like it was missing something. Even though I ordered the spicier version, it still wasn't satisfying enough for me. I wished it had a bit more kick. Both dishes paired well with rice, and I wished I had room for more. Despite sweating and feeling a bit unsatisfied, I enjoyed the meal and finished everything. Thank you for the delicious meal.

I came to the restaurant to try the popular dish called "Mala Wang Tofu" that was also featured on TV. I arrived after 12:00 PM and had no trouble getting a table. Even though there was some turnover, there were always empty seats available, making it easy to get in without a reservation even during lunchtime. The Mala Wang Tofu was around 990 yen, and you could add extra spiciness for 100 yen. The set came with soup, pickled vegetables, and rice. The side dishes arrived first, followed by the Mala Wang Tofu which looked very delicious with plenty of chili oil on top. Despite being quite spicy, I enjoy spicy food to some extent, and my first impression after taking a bite was "delicious!!!" It was spicy but still manageable with rice and water. Most importantly, it was so tasty that I enjoyed every bite until the last one. Usually, I like to change up the flavors while eating, but perhaps due to the various spices used, I didn't get tired of it and found it delicious until the very end. If this restaurant was near my workplace, I would definitely become a regular customer.

The authentic flavor had just the right balance of spiciness and numbness for me, and I didn't get tired of it until the end. The set menu was also cost-effective. The volume of tofu and the texture of the ground meat were satisfying. The entrance to the restaurant is a bit narrow and the stairs may be a little hard to find.

I visited for lunch on a regular day. It was a hot day, so there was only one other customer inside the restaurant. I decided to order the mapo tofu which is also the restaurant's namesake, but I couldn't resist the half portion of tantanmen as well. The mapo tofu had a numbing sensation from the Sichuan peppercorns with plenty of tofu and minced meat soaked in a flavorful sauce, it was delicious and went well with rice. The tantanmen had a rich sesame soup base with a generous amount of spicy chili oil. This restaurant definitely excels in their mapo tofu dish.

◼️◼️◼️【Order】Spicy Mapo Tofu 980, Oil-Drizzled Chicken (Half) 600◼️◼️◼️【Wait】No wait at 13:00 on weekdays. The restaurant is 50% full, with few Japanese customers, which is promising. The Mapo Tofu, as indicated in the name, is a must-try. Fortunately, they offer a half portion, so I also ordered the Oil-Drizzled Chicken.◼️◼️◼️【Taste】Arrived with a spicy aroma. Oh wow! It's soaked in chili oil, so it looks quite spicy. Comes with egg drop soup and pickled vegetables, and the portion of rice is generous. The oil on the rice is separated, so you can eat them separately. Surprisingly, it's not too greasy, and the numbing sensation is just right. The spiciness and numbness are relatively gentle. The tofu and minced meat portions are generous and easy to eat, making the rice go down smoothly. The Oil-Drizzled Chicken is crispy from frying, with diced tomatoes adding a refreshing touch. Mixing it with the sauce, lettuce, and tomatoes gives a nice contrast to the Mapo Tofu. I finished it in no time.◼️◼️◼️【Impression】Surprisingly, it was easy to eat with a milder level of spiciness and numbness. It's suitable for when you want to feel the chili oil rather than the numbing sensation in Mapo Tofu.

[Nearest Station] 2 minutes walk from Shinjuku Station [Visit Time] Saturday around 1:00 PM [Purpose] Lunch [Closed Days] Open every day [Reservation] Not required [Waiting Time (Outside the Store)] None [Number of People] 1 person [Budget] 1,000 yen to 2,000 yen [Order] Ma La Wang Doufu 980 yen, Tan Tan Men (Half) 500 yen [Recommended for] Those looking for a lunch spot around Shinjuku Station [Overview] Authentic Sichuan cuisine from a master chef at "Ma La Wang Doufu" restaurant, which has been featured on a royal brunch show. You can enjoy genuine Sichuan cuisine officially certified by the Chinese government. Highly recommended! [Review] ☆ Ma La Wang Doufu 980 yen Ma La Wang Doufu set menu with Zha Cai, rice, and soup. The level of spiciness is not too sweat-inducing, and the Sichuan peppercorn flavor is not too strong, making it a very easy-to-eat dish. The ingredients are simple, with plenty of tofu and minced meat. They use authentic seasonings from Sichuan, and the umami flavor, similar to garlic, was irresistible! I wasn't a big fan of Sichuan cuisine before, but my impression has changed after today. Thanks for the meal!

Wednesday 7:45 PM. Visited as a second stop with 2 people. It looked a bit sketchy, but we were lured in by the Hell Spicy Ramen, which they didn't have, haha. - The Premium Malt's draft beer (medium) 583 yen - Suntory Highball 462 yen - Otoshi (appetizer) 300 yen x 2: Komatsuna, Aburaage, and Bacon in Dashi? The appetizer was Japanese style, haha. - Spring Rolls 400 yen - Mapo Tofu 600 yen: Spicy and delicious! - Omurice 650 yen: It was recommended and had a rich ketchup flavor, really delicious! - Assorted Gyoza 1,000 yen: Choose 5 out of 26 types of gyoza! - Asparagus Gyoza - Shiso and Sardine Gyoza - Cheese and Tomato Gyoza - Shrimp Mayo Gyoza - Tuna Gyoza I asked for Mapo Ramen but they declined, saying they weren't sure if they could make it tasty. The staff spoke broken Japanese but were quite nice. Seems to be popular among salarymen! Thank you for the meal. Total for 2 people: 5,665 yen

On a Sunday afternoon, I was drawn to the sign of "Mala King" and decided to visit the restaurant. I ordered the Mala King tofu set, looking forward to experiencing just how spicy the king of Mala could be. The dish arrived in about 5 minutes, with a pleasant aroma of Sichuan peppercorns filling the air. The Mala tofu, soaked in plenty of red chili oil, looked beautiful with its intact white tofu topped with minced meat, colorful sliced garlic sprouts, and Sichuan peppercorns. I took a bite and found that while it was indeed spicy, it wasn't as intense as it looked. It seemed like the spiciness had been adjusted for Japanese tastes. The chunks of minced meat were intentional, giving a meaty texture, but I felt it didn't quite harmonize with the tofu. The umami flavor was also a bit weak. The restaurant was quite empty when I visited, with only one other customer. The portion of the Mala tofu was generous, and you could get extra rice, making it a good choice for a leisurely meal when you want to eat to your heart's content. Thank you for the meal.

If you want to eat authentic Sichuan mapo tofu, head to this place! Located on the 3rd floor of a mixed-use building on the way from Shinjuku East Exit to Kabukicho. It's near the station and surprisingly not crowded during lunchtime, feels like a hidden gem. The lunch menu includes not only mapo tofu but also fried rice, tantan noodles, and shredded pork with green peppers. This time, I tried the mapo tofu lunch! It comes with rice, mapo tofu, pickled vegetables, and egg soup. Once you take a bite of the mapo tofu, the spiciness of the chili peppers spreads throughout your mouth! It's quite spicy! But it's addictive with a great umami flavor... The aroma of Sichuan peppercorns is also excellent and very delicious. I couldn't help but mix it with the rice like a bowl dish. The pickled vegetables eaten when the spiciness peaks are also delicious. It's a must-try for those who love spicy food, an authentic mapo tofu that is irresistible. It was delicious and not crowded, a hidden gem indeed! Thank you for the meal! ✨

On the last day in Edo, I visited this place for the first time! I had been curious about this restaurant for a while. It is located on the third floor, up a staircase. I arrived at 6:30 pm. There were two groups of four customers each, having a great time. As a solo diner, I was seated at a table for two. I started with a highball. I ordered the Peteran spare ribs with green Sichuan pepper stir-fry. I wanted to also order the spicy dry pot and spicy king tofu, but I was sure I couldn't handle them, so I'll save that for next time. The Peteran was served in a soy sauce-based sauce with green onions on top. The green onions did a great job! The spare ribs had a strong kick of Sichuan pepper, very flavorful! This was delicious. I visited for the dry pot, but it wasn't really a dry pot. It was just stir-fried ingredients served in a pot. However, it was tasty so it's okay. Thank you for the meal.

When it comes to mapo tofu in Shinjuku, I recommend this place first! It offers authentic Sichuan cuisine with plenty of doubanjiang and sweet bean paste, making it spicy and perfect for those who love heat. You can pay extra to make it even spicier, but be careful as it can get really hot. You can also pay extra to get "extra mapo tofu," which means you'll get a huge portion. The best part about this place is the ladies' set, which I regret not ordering every time I go. The restaurant is run by Chinese staff, so the atmosphere is pretty authentic. This place may not be suitable for a first date or a special occasion, but it's great for enjoying with someone you're comfortable with.

I was craving hot pot and ended up in Shinjuku looking for it. However, I was told they don't serve hot pot during lunch. Just as I was about to give up and leave, they offered to prepare it for me in 20 minutes. I ordered mapo tofu and decided to eat that while waiting for the hot pot. The mapo tofu was surprisingly delicious, with a perfect balance of numbing spiciness and flavor. It was better than I expected. The hot pot, on the other hand, was not exceptionally tasty but it was decent and helped detoxify. Although the hot pot was a bit pricey, the mapo tofu was both delicious and cost-effective. I will definitely come back. Thank you for the wonderful meal.

Visited for lunch on Saturday with a friend. The appearance is a bit intimidating, like a typical Chinese restaurant in town, but the taste is authentic Sichuan cuisine and highly recommended. We ordered the Ladies Set (mini mapo tofu and stir-fried shrimp with egg) and mini fried rice with mapo tofu set. The mapo tofu is spicy but has a delicious flavor that makes you keep eating. The fried rice is also good, and personally, I feel satisfied with this set when I want to boost my metabolism. They also offer a all-you-can-eat and drink course at night, which I have tried with a couple of friends before. I recommend coming on an empty stomach for that!

We decided to have hot pot for dinner in the hour before the movie. We found a place called "Mala Wang Doufu" near TOHO Cinemas in Piccadilly. It's located in an old mixed-use building without an elevator, so climbing the stairs can be a bit tiring. It was just us there, probably because we arrived early. The restaurant had around 20 seats, and the atmosphere was surprisingly cozy. The menu had a wide variety of options, including all-you-can-eat. It took about 15 minutes for the food to arrive. The hot pot was already boiling, so we started adding vegetables. We tried two types of soup, but they were very bland, lacking in flavor. It felt like they were made for patients on a strict diet by a nutritionist. For the price of around 4000 yen per person, the portion seemed small. We decided to add the Mala Wang fried rice set, but it was also lacking in flavor. Overall, we were not satisfied with the experience and felt that other hot pot restaurants in Shinjuku, like Kaikaikiki or Xiao Fei Yang, might be better options.

Thank you for viewing. I would appreciate it if you could follow, like, save, and follow me on Instagram. The spiciness was painful, but it made me want to eat more. Be careful because there is celery in the mapo tofu.笑