"Kind of like highway billboards and humidity, Mala Sichuan Bistro is part of what makes Houston, well, Houston. The classic Sichuan food is mouth-numbing and habit-forming, which is probably why there are five locations across the city. The tingling effect of the mala peppercorn packed into every dish creeps further and further as you devour red-oil slick dumplings, noodles with ground pork, and dry fried vegetables. For the full effect, order water boiled fish swimming in peppercorn broth. You’ll want to try some dan dan noodles, red oil dumplings, mapo tofu, and more, so grab a big group, hit up Mala Sichuan in Chinatown, and keep the lazy susan spinning. " - Chelsea Thomas