Qianlixiang spicy hot pot 천리향 마라탕

"There are a lot of places around Los Angeles to get mala hot pot right now, a spicy broth made with spicy Szechuan peppercorns and other chiles. But, among the best options for a hot brothy bowl with a kick is Koreatown’s Qianlixiang Hot Pot. In contrast to other hot pot restaurants like Bon Shabu or Haidilao, Qianlixiang serves its mala as more of a soup situation than a dip-and-cook. The restaurant offers a build-your-own-bowl setup, with choices like bok choy, rolls of tender beef, lotus root, and multiple types of mushrooms. Take the loaded plastic bowl to the counter to choose a spice level ranging from no spice to extreme. The spice here tends to be on the milder side, so while medium has some heat, the spicier levels may be the move if looking for more of a punch. Round out the meal with spicy lamb skewers and tornado potatoes." - Rebecca Roland

"Qianlixiang is a build-your-own mala hot pot spot in Koreatown, offering a self-serve bar with a variety of ingredients and spice levels to customize your meal at an affordable price." - Eater Staff