Day 8 of eating at 100 Asian restaurants in the DMV, and this one had me sweating in the best way. We’re in Rockville at MaLa Canteen, and one bite in, I knew this might be the best dry pot I’ve ever had. Huge shoutout to @mizchynuhdoll for putting me on, because I absolutely loved the food and I’ll be back asap.
If you don’t know what mala dry pot is, it’s a Sichuan dish that’s all about that numbing, spicy, deeply savory flavor, and MaLa Canteen does it SO well! The Beef Brisket Mala Pot was my star, but fair warning, Nomsters: we ordered it hot and they did NOT hold back. Come ready to sweat, and keep reading for exactly what to order and how spicy to go.
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What Makes MaLa Canteen a Standout Sichuan Spot in Rockville
Rockville’s a genuinely great town for Chinese food (Shanghai Taste for soup dumplings is proof), and MaLa Canteen more than holds its own. What sets it apart is the mala dry pot, or mala xiang guo, which is their whole specialty. Instead of a soupy hot pot, everything’s stir fried up with Sichuan chilies and peppercorns so it comes out bold, saucy and packed with that signature numbing heat.
You can build your own from a huge lineup of proteins, veggies and starches, or grab one of their Express Mala Pots that come pre-loaded. Add in skewers, tinfoil BBQ, grilled fish and a big drink menu, and it’s the kind of spot you can keep coming back to and order something new every time.
What to Order at MaLa Canteen
Here’s everything I got, plus how to order like you’ve been before.
Beef Brisket Mala Pot ($28.99)
This was my star of the meal, and easily one of the best dry pots I’ve had. It comes loaded with tender beef brisket, rice cakes and lots of veggies, so there’s something delicious in every single bite. We ordered it HOT, and let me tell you, they did not hold back, lol. It was properly spicy even for me, so please choose your heat level wisely (more on that below). If you love that numbing Sichuan burn, this is the one to get. So, so yum.
Lamb and Beef Skewers (3 pieces for $6.99)
You gotta add skewers to the table, especially with a group. I tried both the lamb and the beef, and the meat was seasoned really nicely. I liked the lamb more than the beef, which was a touch chewier than I’d have liked, but I still enjoyed every piece. At $6.99 for three, they’re an easy add-on, and there are tons of proteins to pick from, so order a bunch to share!
How to Build Your Own Mala Pot
If it’s your first time, here’s the move: MaLa Canteen lets you build your own pot by picking your proteins, veggies and starches, then choosing a heat level. Not sure how much to get? Around five items works for one person, and eight to ten covers two. Prefer to keep it simple? The Express Mala Pots come pre-loaded with a protein plus classics like broccoli, corn, potato, taro and rice cake. And if you want that Sichuan flavor in soup form instead, they do a mala tang too.
Want to branch out? A few more things on the menu worth a look:
- Skewers and tinfoil BBQ galore, plus a whole grilled fish (branzino) if you’re feeding a crew.
- Chef’s specials like big plate chicken and boiled fish with Sichuan pickles.
- Snacky appetizers: tornado potato, popcorn chicken, and if you’re feeling adventurous, the stinky tofu.
- Noodles and rice bowls, from Yanbian cold noodles to a signature potato noodle soup.
- A big drink list to cool the heat, including Thai tea, milk teas and fresh fruit juices.
What Is Mala Dry Pot?
Mala dry pot (or mala xiang guo) means numbing spicy fragrant pot, and it’s a Sichuan-style dish that started in Chongqing. Here’s the key difference from hot pot, since people mix them up all the time. With hot pot, you cook raw ingredients yourself in a bubbling communal broth at the table.
With dry pot, there’s no broth at all. Your chosen proteins, veggies and starches get stir fried together in a wok with chili, Sichuan peppercorns and aromatics, then arrive fully cooked and ready to dig into. That numbing tingle comes from the Sichuan peppercorns (the ma), and the heat comes from the chilies (the la). MaLa Canteen also does a mala tang, which is the soup based cousin, if you want the same flavors with a broth.
The Vibe and Experience
MaLa Canteen sits right in Rockville Town Square (now called The Square), so it’s an easy walkable spot with parking in the garages nearby. Ordering’s done through a QR code at your table, which makes it simple to take your time building your pot and adding skewers as you go.
It’s casual and made for sharing, so it’s ideal for a group of friends who want to graze across a bunch of dishes. Just know they’re closed on Tuesdays, so plan around that. And if you’re on a full Rockville Chinese food crawl, Far East for dim sum makes a great daytime stop.
Good to Know
- Location: 📍 33 Maryland Ave E, Rockville, MD 20850, in Rockville Town Square.
- Hours: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 11AM to 9PM, Friday and Saturday 11AM to 10PM. Closed Tuesdays.
- Heat levels: fully customizable, and even the milder options run spicy, so pick carefully if you’re heat-sensitive. There’s a baby spice level if you want to ease in.
- Ordering: dine in with QR-code ordering at the table, plus takeout and delivery through Chowbus, Uber Eats and Grubhub.
- Parking: the Square’s garages give you 90 minutes free (then $1 an hour, $20 daily max), no validation needed.
- Price: moderate. Skewers and appetizers are wallet-friendly, while a loaded mala pot (mine was $28.99) or the whole grilled fish runs higher.
- Good for: groups and anyone who loves bold, spicy Sichuan food, and there are veggie-friendly options too.
Would I Go Back to MaLa Canteen?
Absolutely, and asap, lol. MaLa Canteen is easily one of the best dry pots I’ve had, full stop. If you love spicy, numbing Sichuan flavor, get yourself to Rockville and try it, just respect the heat. For more of my favorite eats in the area, check out my roundup of the best Asian restaurants in Rockville. But for mala dry pot specifically? MaLa Canteen has my whole heart.
Have you guys braved the mala dry pot at MaLa Canteen yet? Tell me your go-to protein order (and your heat level) in the comments, Nomsters, and send this to the friend who always makes you get the spicy stuff. See you at day 9!