What to order at Mala Sichuan Bistro

Must order
Mapo tofu, dan dan noodles, dry-fried green beans, chilli-oil dumplings.
Signature dishes
Mapo tofu, Dan dan noodles
Editor tip
Cold appetiser cabinet near the door has marinated beef and tendon that are the menu's quiet stars.

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CuisineSichuan Chinese
Price$$
NeighborhoodBellaire Asiatown
Last verified

Location

Address: 9348 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, TX 77036

More casual dining in Houston

Phat Eatery ★ 4.6

$$ MalaysianSpring Branch

Phat Eatery in Katy (west of Houston) is the Malaysian street food kitchen in Katy Asian Town from the late Alex Au-Yeung, with beef rendang.

OrderBeef rendang, roti canai with curry chicken dip, char kway teow.

TipKaty is 30 miles west of Houston. Combine with H Mart and Asian Town. The Woodlands second location is the other option.

Pondicheri ★ 4.5

$$ Modern IndianRice Village Upper Kirby

Pondicheri in Houston is Anita Jaisinghani's modern Indian room at WestAve on Kirby Drive since 2011, with masala omelette breakfasts, thali plates.

OrderMasala omelette and roti at breakfast. The thali plate at dinner. The Bake Lab's chai bun for the road.

TipBreakfast (7am to 11am) is the lesser-known peak. The thali changes daily; ask first.

The Original Ninfa's on Navigation ★ 4.7

$$ Tex-mexEast End

The Original Ninfa's on Navigation in Houston is Ninfa Laurenzo's 1973 Tex-Mex room, the birthplace of the restaurant fajita, still serving skirt steak tacos.

OrderFajitas (tacos al carbon) for two, a Ninfarita on the rocks, queso and chips.

TipBack patio under the strings of lights beats the front room. The bar opens 90 minutes before the dining room.

Himalaya Restaurant ★ 4.7

$$ Pakistani and IndianHillcroft

Himalaya in Houston is Kaiser Lashkari's Pakistani-and-Indian room on the Southwest Freeway since 2004, a James Beard semifinalist kitchen with lamb biryani.

OrderLamb biryani, hunter's beef, chai-glazed lamb chops, garlic naan.

TipWeekday lunch buffet is the value entry. BYOB, with a corner liquor store across Hillcroft.

London Sizzler ★ 4.4

$$ IndianHillcroft

London Sizzler in Houston is the British-Indian-Pakistani room in the Olympic Center on the Southwest Freeway, with mixed-grill sizzlers, tandoori lamb chops.

OrderMixed-grill sizzler for two. Tandoori lamb chops. A sweet lassi.

TipKitchen runs late on weekends, to 11pm. Closed Mondays Walk-ins usually OK.

The Original Marini's Empanada House ★ 4.3

$ ArgentineGalleria Uptown

The Original Marini's Empanada House in Houston is the Argentine family kitchen on Westheimer in Westchase since 2007 (1971 in Montrose), with 80 savoury.

OrderClassic beef empanada (baked, the original), the corn empanada, the dulce de leche dessert version.

TipOrder half-dozen mixed (savoury) plus a single sweet to taste. The fried versions are heavier; baked is closer to the Argentine original.

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