Mala Hotpot Columbus

Mala Hot Pot is located around the Hilliard area and just right by the CAM International Market. The interior is very open and filled with booth seating. You will start ordering by scanning the QR code at the table. It can get confusing at first, but they also provide a list of instruction on the side. It take me a minute to get how it works, but the server is there and patiently answer my questions.Basically, you would need to start with at least one combo meal. For each combo meal, it would need to select the one broth and one protein. Of course, you can order additional protein as well. All the condiments, veggies and desserts are included and self-serve. Each person would have their own individual mini pot. You can also control the heat level from the control panel on the table side. Also expect a little robot server deliver food to the table.I love their wide range of veggies option and most important all of them are fresh. For the condiments, there are some basic must have such as soy sauce and sesame oil. They also have a couple pre mixed sauce available as well. Remember to leave some room for dessert, which is ice cream and my favorite sweet red bean soup.With all thing consider, I would highly recommend Mala Hot Pot. The pricing is decent with the fresh and variety option of protein, veggies and dessert. If you haven't try hot pot before, this would be a great place for you to ease into the new experience.

Second visit... the app used to place an order is frustrating at best. If you've never been here there is no one to explain the food, the preparation process etc, so visit their website before coming. Food is decent but then again , you're cooking it so if you don't like it you probably messed it up

My mom hates this place but yk I realize that that's not a fair assessment because my mom actually hates all restaurants. Except Chipotle.Personally, I think this place is ok - the ingredients are decent quality and they even have pan-fried dumplings next to the sauce bar! I'm gr8tful bc I'm a hungry lad who cannot wait for food to reach a safe internal temp. I also enjoyed the structure of the place: You pay for a meat + soup base, and the veggies, tofu, and fish balls are all-you-can-eat.Regarding the vegetarian option, I failed to confirm if the miso soup base contains dashi (which is typically made from bonito flakes). I mean, in general, I think miso as a hotpot base is very weird. But my primary gripe with the vegetarian combo is that the menu states that it comes with a variety of tofus. In reality, though, those tofus are in the same place as the other free-for-all ingredients so everyone has access to them. So you're paying the same price for the vegetarian combo as the meat combos...but you actually get less?? In the words of my friendo who shall not be named for privacy purposes, I think this would count as "Violence Against Vegetarians TM."Ig luckily (?) since I'm not vegetarian, I requested to switch to a meat combo and the server was very chill about it ("I don't make the menu"). Service in general was very patient - our group got the closing time wrong and didn't realize that we were keeping them late but they never rushed us or anything :') (very kind ty)Overall, a very clean establishment! The slow jazz did kind of throw me off a bit though. Like hotpot? And slow jazz? What, are we about to make out over these boiling pots? Ahaha...ha?

It was our first time here. We wanted to try something different, and well, it was definitely different and definitely coming back. There is a very simple sign giving instructions, that was easy to follow. We did talk to some of the regulars, and they gave us some advice/tips. Food was really fresh and really good! I like how the you take what you want, but want what you take, and they will charge extra if you waste food. The ambience was very casual, clean with light oriental music playing.

sichuan beef broth is so yummy. Love the veggie bar too. food and dishes are brought to you by a cute little cat robot, make sure you're nice to it :) love this place, we visit often!

Wonderful place for hotpot! Small and cozy right next to CAM. The menu is extensive and I found prices to be fair. The place was very clean with the robots that delivered food being very clean as well. I was most impressed by how sanitary the dipping sauce and condiment station was. Each sauce was pre-portioned in individual cups. I had the beef belly, bok choy, ramen and enoki mushrooms with the mala soup base. Everything was delicious! I 100% recommend.

Finally I tried this location, and surprisingly very happy with the quality of the food, pricing and ambience. When I went there (Thursday 08/24/23) the offering system has changed. Customer was offered to pick one type of protein: meat, chicken or vegetable - and the pricing was set in here. Ranging from $15.99 - $23.99. Some a la carte could also be ordered. You will also need to pick the type of broth and carbs if you want (no extra charge). Then a black bowl with a tong was given to the customer to pick from the cold spread buffet style area for the vegetables, variety of tofu and fishballs. Also there's a build your own sauces (black vinegar, soy sauce, hot oil, hot mala oil, bean spicy sauce, chopped garlic/cilantro and spring onion, fried peanuts, etc). And small cups of premade dipping sauce (variety of sesame and peanuts basically). At the end, there's a free offering of serve-yourself some Sweet Mung Bean Porridge for dessert and Free Ice Cream Cups (chocolate and vanilla: Homemade brand). My friend and I were EXTREMELY SATISFIED with what we have and will absolutely return to the business. Highly recommended. 5 stars.

What an awesome experience. The food was fantastic and the service matched! Can't wait to go back and eat there again. Love the way the seating is set up. Try this place asap!

My go to is the Chicken Mushroom broth, goji berry, lotus root, white fish, tung Ho greens, and ginger ... delicious healing food I love mixing a few ladles of Mala Spicy broth to it ! Everything is super fresh ... plus you get to walk it all off next door at CAM International Market ! #malahotpot #614eats #hilliard #columbusfoodie #columbusliving #foodiegirl #foodies #soup #hotpot #614

I had the Miso hot pot and it was delicious. We received the soup, meats and drinks that were delivered by a cute robot but the waiter/attendant was also nearby in case of any issues. There are salad bar type set ups filled with veggies and tofu and another space with sauces and seasonings.I am a novice hot pot maker/eater, but felt comfortable with the set up and enjoyed the food. I will be back!