KungFu MalaTang

My first time coming here and it was such a good choice! They were so so nice and welcoming and the food was equally so so good! I think it will definitely be a favorite spot for my friends and I from now on!!

Solid budget hotpot with an old-school charm. One of my friends gets delivery from here religiously (at least twice a month), so I’ve tried a few custom bowls before finally stopping by for my own hotpot lunch. Unlike the newer Chinese hotpot spots that lean into the techy QR-code experience, this place does it the old-school way. Right by the entrance, there’s a toppings station where you grab everything yourself, and pay by weight. Honestly, I much prefer this setup. You get to eyeball the quality, pick and portion exactly how you want, and try more variety without overcommitting. The owner did warn me not to go over 1.5kg, but between all the fresh veggie toppings and solid protein selection—quail eggs, bacon, sausage, frozen pork and lamb—I couldn’t help myself and slightly overshot. No regrets. However, this place is definitely on the no-frills end of the spectrum. No fancy seafood like scallops or lobster, no DIY sauce bar, and only one broth option: a classic mala beef broth (you can choose the spice level, at least). The setup is more cafeteria-style—pick your toppings, pay at the counter, and the owner handles the rest. No mandatory service charges, just comfort food done right. Allston’s hotpot scene has gotten trendier and flashier in recent years, but I totally get why this spot remains one of my friend’s faithful go-tos. It’s definitely going on my own list for cozy and satisfying hotpot.

By the weight mala tang. The broth is better than the dry pot. The dry pot flavors are too creamy and not very similar to the other mala places you try. Wish there were even more options for selection, but it is not bad.

Really tasty soup base, can be a bit salty. I’m taking my leftover food to go and adding more food at home. The staff was very nice, gave me rice for free cuz they have a credit card minimum charge. The only downside is the meat selection is not that big, just standard sliced meats and balls.

Great place with mala tang. Get large spicy /大辣 as I felt the medium spice level was only slightly spicy. It was a little pricey, but seems to be the norm for the area.