Mala Sichuan Bistro

The 38 Best Restaurants in Houston, Spring 2025 | Eater Houston

"With five Houston area locations, including outposts in Katy, Sugar Land, and the newest in the Heights, Mala is a pioneer in flavorful Sichuan cuisine in Houston. With its co-owner Cori Xiong hailing from Chengdu, a town in the Sichuan province, the restaurant harnesses hometown flavors with top sellers like spicy dan dan noodles, the saucy mapo tofu, red oil dumplings, and green tea and bacon fried rice. Vibe check: Dining at Mala is pretty casual, but visit the Heights location to see the owner’s full vision and tribute to her homeland. The restaurant is decked out in charming lanterns, etched scenes of the Sichuan countryside on circular wooden plaques, and a full-sized, traditional pagoda roof, handmade by Sichuan artists." - Brittany Britto Garley