Malatang Restaurant in Chong — Review by Blondie in China
Chongqing, China — Chinese - Malatang
The reviewer tries a new 'cement' malatang made with black sesame instead of the traditional white sesame at their favorite northeast China restaurant. Despite initial skepticism about it being a gimmick, the dish delivers excellent taste with its thick, creamy, nutty sauce and perfectly chewy noodles loaded with vegetables.
What was great: Thick and creamy black sesame sauce with nutty flavor, chewy noodles with excellent texture, generous vegetable selection, dramatic appearance backed by genuine taste
What could improve: Nothing mentioned
The Dishes
The malatang, known locally as cement malatang due to its dark grey appearance, is a stunning departure from the traditional white sesame version. The reviewer selected a generous array of vegetables, tofu, and potato to fill their basket before the ingredients were transferred to a clay pot with their choice of noodles. The dish features a thick black sesame sauce that coats every component, creating what the reviewer describes as more of a paste than a typical sauce. The noodles inside are exceptionally chewy with outstanding mouthfeel, and the abundance of vegetables ensures a textured, satisfying bite throughout.
The Experience
This is a familiar haunt for the reviewer, who has been visiting this location for four years since moving to Chong. The process is interactive and engaging - customers build their own ingredient selection, which gets cooked over an open flame in the kitchen. The kitchen team then applies the finishing touches with garlic, chili oil, Sichuan peppercorn powder, peppercorn oil, and finally the signature thick black sesame sauce. The establishment maintains a traditional approach to preparation and presentation.
Value & Pricing
No specific pricing information was mentioned in the review.
Notable Moments
I'm surprised by this, to be honest. I thought it was going to be a little bit of a gimmick. It looks dramatic, but actually it's got the taste to back it up because it's got everything that I love about a dong mala tongue.
I mean, look how thick this is. It's just at this point more of a paste of ingredients and sauce. And I love the noodles inside are so freaking chewy.
The Verdict
This cement malatang succeeds in being far more than a gimmick. The black sesame sauce brings a different but equally compelling nutty profile compared to the standard white sesame version. The combination of thick, creamy sauce, chewy noodles, and abundant vegetables creates a deeply satisfying dish. This restaurant is perfect for anyone seeking authentic northeast Chinese malatang with innovative twists, and especially for those who appreciate well-textured noodles and richly flavored sesame-based dishes.