🌶️ Visiting Singapore? Put Zhang Liang Mala Tang on your list.
It’s a totally different experience from the “mala” I used to eat back home.
🔥 I stumbled onto a seriously special spot
I had one of those “wait… have I been doing this wrong?” moments in Singapore. After eating here, I realized the mala soup I’d been having before wasn’t really the full experience. 😱
If you’re traveling in Singapore and you like bold flavors, don’t skip Zhang Liang Mala Tang. I left genuinely impressed.
🗺️ Google Map of the outlets (yes, I tracked them down)
My top 3 recommended branches:
Perfect if you’re already shopping around Orchard.
Open in Google Maps ⭐4.4/5Great if you want something filling later in the day.
Open in Google Maps ⭐4.5/5Other branches (pick the closest one):
🤯 This is what mala is supposed to taste like
The broth is on a different level compared to what I was used to. This was the first time I really understood what “real” mala is supposed to feel and taste like.
🔥 The real “ma” (麻) numbness
- That signature tingling, numbing sensation on your tongue—oddly addictive
- Spicy, but with a cooling/refreshing edge at the same time
- It’s not just “hot soup” — the flavor has real depth
• If you’re new to this style of mala, start with 微辣 (Mild).
• 中辣 (Medium) is where the numbing sensation really kicks in.
• If you jump straight to 重辣 or above, you may regret it.
🌶️ Spice level guide (based on my experience)
✈️ Getting there from Changi Airport (what I actually did)
🚇 By MRT (most budget-friendly)
Changi Airport → Tanah Merah (transfer) → Paya Lebar (transfer)
→ Dhoby Ghaut (transfer) → Arrive at Somerset
Time: ~1 hour / Fare: typically around S$2–3 (varies)
It’s the cheapest option, but if you’re hauling luggage and switching lines a few times, it can feel a bit annoying.
🚖 By Grab (my recommended option)
- Changi Airport → Orchard area: roughly S$25–35 (varies by time/traffic/surge)
- Travel time: ~30–45 minutes (depending on traffic)
- If you have luggage or you’re tired, this is worth it
• Friday nights and rainy days can trigger big surge pricing.
• GrabShare can be cheaper (but expect extra time).
• Promo codes change often—if you’re new, you can try “NEWUSER20” and see if it still works.
💳 How to pay (what worked for me)
Payment methods I’ve personally used:
| Rank | Payment Method | Why it’s good | My experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 | Cash (SGD) | Fast, simple, always accepted | Never had an issue |
| 🥈 | AliPay / Google Pay | Convenient | Worked at the Chinatown branch (last year) |
| 🥉 | GrabPay | Tied to your Grab account | Worked (last year) |
| ❓ | Credit card | Familiar for most travelers | Not 100% sure (best to confirm) |
• If you need cash, look for nearby ATMs (DBS, OCBC, etc.).
• International ATM fees depend on your card issuer—plan for extra charges.
• Daily withdrawal limits are often around S$1,000–2,000 (varies by bank/card).
• Or exchange a bit of SGD in advance so you’re not scrambling.
🍜 How to order (so you don’t get confused)
- Grab a bowl and tongs—everything is self-serve
- It’s priced by weight, so don’t go too wild (unless you mean to)
- My go-to combo: lamb + shrimp + fish cake + spinach + mushrooms
- Price: S$3.08 per 100g (minimum order: 300g)
- Start mild. Seriously. (微辣)
- Even if you love spice, 中辣 can make you sweat
- 5 broth bases: Original mala, Tomato, Mushroom, Tom Yum, Spicy Hot Pot
- Standard ramen-style noodles are the safest choice
- Udon is also a solid option
- Sweet potato glass noodles are very popular
👨🍳 What ordering looked like for me
I dropped by the Chinatown branch before a late work night. They stay open pretty late, which is a lifesaver. The process is straightforward:
- Choose ingredients: Take a bowl + tongs and pick what you want
- Pay: They weigh it at the counter and you pay based on weight
- Wait: While it cooks, you can prep extra condiments/sauces
- Pick up: When it’s ready, grab your steaming-hot bowl
🚨 Spice level warning
If you’re unsure, use this as a safe starting point:
• 微辣 (Mild): Strongly recommended for first-timers
• 中辣 (Medium): Only if you regularly eat very spicy food
• 重辣 and above: “Challenge mode” for most people
Typical total (varies by weight)
Minimum order
Per 100g
🔥 What it tasted like in real life
It genuinely surprised me
The first spoonful made me pause—like, “Wait… what is this?”—and then I kept going. The ma (麻) numbness tingles and spreads, and somehow it’s ridiculously addictive.
What I used to eat elsewhere felt like “spicy soup.” Here, the flavor is layered: spices, aroma, and that numbing heat all working together.
My Chinatown branch experience: I went for a quick meal before working late, and it ended up being much more filling than expected. My order came to around S$20, but it was easily enough to share between two people.
What my friends said:
💰 Pricing details (based on my orders)
- Pricing model: Weight-based — S$3.08 per 100g
- Minimum order: 300g (about S$9.24)
- Typical order: 500–600g (about S$15–18)
- Big order: 700g+ (easy to split between two)
📍 Branch notes from places I’ve personally visited
- 📍 181 Orchard Road, #B1-07/08 Orchard Central
- 🚇 About 2 minutes from Somerset MRT (super convenient)
- 💡 My tip: Perfect after shopping
- ⭐ Google rating: 4.4/5 (1,847 reviews)
- 📍 133 New Bridge Road, #B3-07 Chinatown Point
- 🚇 Direct connection from Chinatown MRT
- 💡 Best part: Explore Chinatown, then refuel here
- ⭐ Google rating: 4.2/5 (2,156 reviews)
- 🏛️ Small history note: This was the original branch that opened in 2020
- 🏧 Payment: Cash is a safe bet; plenty of ATMs nearby
- 💡 Pricing reminder: S$3.08 per 100g, minimum 300g
- 📍 200 Victoria Street, #B1-07 Bugis Junction
- 🚇 About 1 minute from Bugis MRT
- 💡 Tip: Great if your shopping/day runs late and you still want a proper meal
- ⭐ Google rating: 4.5/5