Ma la literally translates to “numbing” and “spice’”, and is a flavour that originated from the Sichuan and Chongqing region of China. In recent years, this flavour has taken Singapore by storm, with throngs of food stalls popping up and dishing out fiery ma la stir-fry pots all over the island. If you’re a ma la addict who’s run out of friends to share ma la xiang guo with, eat ‘em on-the-go instead with these portable yet potent ma la snacks.
Image credit: @wishuponatart
Packaged in a bright red resealable bag, Ooh’s Mala Potato Chips ($7) is peppery, slightly spicy, and crunchy. These handmade ma la potato chips drizzled with traditional hand-pounded spices such as dried chilli, peppercorns, ginger and fennel, and are also available as cassava chips!
Get them here.
If you enjoy ma la but always order xiao la, the folks at Mala Mala have just the solution for you. Their ma la products are made in three different levels of spiciness – mild spicy, super spicy, and crazy spicy. The Fish Skin ($8) is made by deep frying premium fish skin and coating them with a secret blend of ma la spice. Be sure to also try their Hand-Cut Mushroom Chips ($9) that’s made of sliced shiitake mushroom, peppercorns and star anise.
Get them here.
Image credit: @crustyssg
For all the hardcore SEY lovers out there, Crusty’s range of salted egg snacks will definitely strike your fancy—they even have truffle salted egg chips! If you have an adventurous taste bud, get their Mala Salted Egg Yolk Fish Skin ($8.50) which boasts strong umami and fiery notes. Do note that a minimum order of 12 packets is needed for every purchase, so be sure to jio your friends to buy with you.
Get them here.
The Golden Duck takes it step further with their new Mala Hot Pot Fragrant Mix ($7)—a medley of fish skins, mushrooms, and crispy beancurd skin tossed in an aromatic spice blend. It’s spicy, crunchy, and a little bit sweet from the mushrooms, making it a very addictive snack.
Get them here.
Image credit: Tradacon
Made using shiitake mushrooms, these mala mushroom chips from Mr Mushroom ($5.50) are halal and vegetarian-friendly. Coupled with the fact that they’re not fried, they’re also a healthier alternative – allowing them to be enjoyed by more people.
For those who like variety, don’t forget to try the other flavours such as seaweed, wasabi, and salt and pepper.
Get them here.
Image credit: @shootandspoon
Peanuts are great with beer but with Koh Kae’s new ma la flavour, you can literally spice up your drinking sessions with the tongue-numbing seasoning. The fragrant peanuts ($5.80) are coated with a blend that includes dried chilli peppers, chilli bean sauce, and Sichuan peppercorns.
Get them here.
Image credit: Magi Planet
Thanks to Magi Planet, you’re no longer stuck with only “sweet” and “salty” popcorn flavours. Their Sizzling Mala Popcorn ($9.20) is hand-popped and flavoured with authentic Sichuan spices, giving you that numbing spice that comes when eating ma la. Other quirky flavours you get include truffle toffee and takoyaki!
Get them here.
This snack mix from Doga Xiang Crisp Chilli ($3.50) is a spicy medley of crisp dried Sichuan peppers, peanuts, and green peas. Available in three flavours with the Sichuan Pepper packing the most punch, the fiery heat from this snack is sure to perk you up! You can find them exclusively at all Cheers outlets.
Image credit: @angie.pansey
Last but not least, meet the kicker—ma la luncheon meat. Available at most NTUC supermarkets, SPAM’s Ma La Spicy Szechuan ($5.50) legit tastes like spam found in ma la xiang guo orders. To fully enjoy them, slice ‘em up into thin strips and deep fry them for some tongue-numbing spam fries! You’re welcome.
Get them here.
For fans who love all things ma la, don’t forget to give these unique snacks a try. Know any other mala snacks that have not been featured? Let us know in the comments section below!
Oat & About is a new oat milk gelato cafe in Maxwell selling handcrafted gelato…
SuuKee Coffee in Orchard has Creme Brulee Orh Nee Toast till 31 December 2024! They…
Popular sandwich and doughnut joint Korio has opened a dine-in cafe in Marina Bay, near…
Wok A.I is a hawker stall at Margaret Drive Hawker Centre, and they sell hokkien…
With 2024 coming to a close, reward yourself for all the hard work this year…
TONSHOU, a Korea-famous restaurant specialising in charcoal-grilled pork cutlet has opened up in Tanjong Pagar!