Unique Malatang (Homemade Version)

Unique Malatang (Homemade Version)
I absolutely love eating malatang and often buy it. When I do, I observe how the vendor prepares the ingredients and methods, then recreate it at home. The flavor I achieve is almost indistinguishable from the ones I buy outside. The dishes below are casual and can be adjusted to personal preference.

Materials

Asparagus
Wood Ear Mushrooms
Tofu Skin
Tofu Puffs
Beef Tripe
Lunch Meat
Bean Sprouts
Bok Choy
Celery
Cilantro
Scallions
Garlic Puree
Fermented Black Beans
Bird's Eye Chili
Vinegar
Light Soy Sauce
Chicken Essence
MSG
Sichuan Pepper Powder
Chili Oil
Sesame Paste
Sesame Oil
Black Pepper
Dried Chili
Oyster Sauce
Salt
Ginger Slices
Doubanjiang
Chili Powder
Five-Spice Powder
Sesame Oil

How To Make

  1. Wash and cut all the ingredients and set them aside.

    Wash and cut all the ingredients and set them aside.
  2. Light the fire, and once the pot is dry, add a small amount of cooking oil.

    Light the fire, and once the pot is dry, add a small amount of cooking oil.
  3. When the oil is heated to about 70%, add garlic cloves and ginger slices. Sauté until fragrant, then add an appropriate amount of doubanjiang (spicy bean paste), hot pot base, and a spoonful of chili powder according to your spice preference.

    When the oil is heated to about 70%, add garlic cloves and ginger slices. Sauté until fragrant, then add an appropriate amount of doubanjiang (spicy bean paste), hot pot base, and a spoonful of chili powder according to your spice preference.
  4. After stir-frying until aromatic, pour in stock or water and bring to a boil over high heat.

    After stir-frying until aromatic, pour in stock or water and bring to a boil over high heat.
  5. While the water is boiling, prepare the seasoning in a large bowl. Add cilantro, diced celery, scallions, chicken essence, MSG, vinegar, light soy sauce, fermented tofu, sesame paste, Sichuan pepper powder, black pepper, salt, fermented black beans, oyster sauce, sesame oil, garlic puree, and five-spice powder. (Adjust the quantities to your personal taste.)

    While the water is boiling, prepare the seasoning in a large bowl. Add cilantro, diced celery, scallions, chicken essence, MSG, vinegar, light soy sauce, fermented tofu, sesame paste, Sichuan pepper powder, black pepper, salt, fermented black beans, oyster sauce, sesame oil, garlic puree, and five-spice powder. (Adjust the quantities to your personal taste.)
  6. Once the broth is boiling, ladle two large spoons of the soup into the seasoning bowl and mix well, setting it aside.

    Once the broth is boiling, ladle two large spoons of the soup into the seasoning bowl and mix well, setting it aside.
  7. Next, gradually add the ingredients to the pot according to their cooking times, and turn off the heat once cooked.

    Next, gradually add the ingredients to the pot according to their cooking times, and turn off the heat once cooked.
  8. Serve the ingredients in the seasoning bowl. You can add a bit of broth on top, then garnish with cilantro, scallions, and sesame seeds. Finally, stir well to incorporate all flavors. Done!

    Serve the ingredients in the seasoning bowl. You can add a bit of broth on top, then garnish with cilantro, scallions, and sesame seeds. Finally, stir well to incorporate all flavors. Done!