Today I’d like to introduce you to 香香麻辣烫 XiangXiang Malatang (Spicy Hotpot), a restaurant that has been a favourite of both Asians and locals in Frankfurt for years. Conveniently located in the heart of Frankfurt’s city centre, close to the Römer square in the old town, this place specialises in malatang, a popular dish from authentic Chinese cuisine, as the restaurant’s name suggests.
Restaurant Profile
- Name of the Restaurant: 香香麻辣烫 XiangXiang Malatang(Spicy Hot Pot)
- Adress: Berliner Str. 64, 60311 Frankfurt am Main
- Style: Chinese Cuisine
- Price: around 15 – 25 EUR per Person (incl. Drinks and Tips)
Before going into the details of this malatang restaurant, let me give you some background information: Malatang (麻辣烫) originates from the Sichuan region, known for its spicy and aromatic cuisine. The name ‘malatang’ is made up of the Chinese words ‘ma’ (麻) meaning ‘numbing’, ‘la’ (辣) meaning ‘spicy’ and ‘tang’ (烫) meaning ‘hot’ or ‘boiling’. It describes a hot soup that is both spicy and mildly numbing due to the use of Sichuan peppercorns and chilli. We have already introduced the concept of mala in previous articles (e.g. Höfchen Restaurant in Frankfurt, Zhuge Grillfish in Frankfurt or Seen in Munich).
At XiangXiang Restaurant, the focus is on Dongbei malatang – a variation of malatang from the Dongbei (东北) region of northeast China, known for its unique culinary traditions. The main difference between Dongbei malatang and Sichuan malatang is the intensity of the heat and the specific spices used in the broth. Sichuan malatang is famous for its high level of spice and the distinctive taste of Sichuan pepper, while Dongbei malatang is generally milder and more accessible to many people, with an emphasis on savoury and umami flavours. In addition, Dongbei Malatang uses a seasoned sesame paste as a dipping sauce to add a creamy, nutty note and balance the spicy broth.
Unlike the traditional hotpot, malatang is not eaten from a single large pot in the middle of the table; instead, each person has his or her own bowl. The great thing about this dish is that you can customise it to your liking.
Here’s a quick DIY guide to get you started. Simply grab a bowl at the entrance and a pair of tongs to fill your bowl with some of the ingredients from the large bar. Your chosen ingredients will then be cooked by the kitchen staff in a broth of your choice and served to you.
Let’s start with your soup ingredients. You have a wide range of vegetables to choose from, including bok choy, spinach, broccoli and bean sprouts. Consider adding mushrooms, such as champignons and the wood ear mushrooms, which are very popular in China. Include different types of tofu, a variety of noodles, fried eggs and dumplings. For protein, you can choose from a range of meats – cured, sliced or in the form of meatballs – and seafood options such as prawns and squid. There are also many other delicious options to choose from.
The choice is truly vast, with over 10 different types of noodles alone. Take your time to look at everything carefully, then use the tongs to place your chosen ingredients in your bowl.
There’s no one ingredient that stands out from the rest – it’s all about personal taste. However, we suggest focusing on fresh ingredients and creating a vibrant variety of flavours. Start with your choice of noodles as the base, then add vegetables, mushrooms and tofu, meat (especially meat rolls, which are very popular with Asians) and perhaps some seafood, depending on your taste.
Once your bowls are filled to your satisfaction (note: sometimes we tend to overestimate our appetites, so choose your favourite ingredients wisely), feel free to grab a drink from the fridge and take your bowl to the reception area. Here you’ll be asked to choose your soup base from the following options:
- A spicy red chilli base (Mala 麻辣) with Sichuan pepper and chillies – a timeless classic,
- A highly spicy broth with green Sichuan pepper (藤椒 Teng Jiao), known for its fresh, citrusy notes, different from the red Sichuan pepper found in the Mala broth,
- Tomato broth (番茄 Fan Qie), which offers a subtle blend of sourness and sweetness,
- Gentle beef broth (骨汤 Gu Tang), made from beef bones and simmered for a long time – the basic choice,
- Hot and sour broth (金汤 Jin Tang), known as ‘golden broth’ for its bright yellow colour,
- And finally, Spicy Lemon Broth (柠檬金汤 Ning Meng Jin Tang), a variation on the golden broth, infused with lemon for a refreshing twist.
With each of these broths, you can adjust the spice level to your liking. If you like a particular broth but want it to be milder, simply order it with less spice.
Once you’ve chosen your broth, you’ll be given a numbered token. Above the ingredient station you’ll see a numbered board. When your soup is ready, your number will be announced. Just a heads up: The announcements are in Chinese, so if you don’t understand, just check the board for your number.
While you’re waiting for your soup, you can start making your dipping sauce. It’s the same method as for hot pot (see one of our previous blog posts for detailed instructions). For dongbei malatang, the basic element of the dipping sauce is sesame paste. Spring onions, garlic and perhaps some spices may be added. We prefer a traditional mix of sesame paste, coriander, spring onions, garlic, cumin and a touch of chilli oil. As dips can be made fresh for any occasion, we encourage you to explore different combinations to find your perfect blend.
Once your number has been called, please proceed to the counter to collect your freshly prepared malatang. You will be given a deep spoon for the soup and a pair of chopsticks to enjoy the ingredients. Dip each ingredient from your bowl into the dipping sauce you have prepared, but be careful as some broths are very spicy.
Malatang is all about variety and flexibility, allowing you to choose from a wide range of ingredients and customise your bowl. The distinctive, flavourful broths are created by blending spices such as Sichuan pepper and chilli, ensuring every bite is uniquely delicious.
The soups are quick to prepare, the ingredients are healthy and the meal is a social experience with friends and other guests.
