Zhangliang Malatang Westwood (张亮麻辣烫）

I’m a big fan of Malatang and have tried it in different Asian countries, so I have a good understanding of how it’s supposed to taste. At Zhangliang Malatang, I was disappointed because the broth was too salty, and the chili spice wasn’t properly mixed into the soup — it gathered in small clumps in the center of the bowl. That being said, I want to highlight how clean the restaurant is. Everything was spotless, and there were no unpleasant odors inside. The cleanliness and interior helped improve my overall impression despite the issues with the soup.

Amazing food — I am a repeat customer here and this is one of my favorite places to eat in Westwood. Can get a fairly large portion of food for an affordable price and there is a wide variety of items you can put into your bowl. I usually get the tomato soup base because it’s non-spicy yet flavorful.

We’ve eaten here many times before, but today the malatang was extremely salty. The cashier told me the broth isn’t made by simmering fresh bones—the flavor comes from a seasoning packet—so they can’t control how salty it is. I had diarrhea shortly after lunch, and my boyfriend developed a severe headache. County of Los Angeles Public Health department has given this place a “B” rating, which honestly doesn’t surprise me. If you’re coming because of the high Google reviews, keep in mind they offer a free drink in exchange for a 5-star review.

This is absolutely delicious. The ingredients are fresh and high-quality, the flavors are rich and well-balanced, and the broth is deeply satisfying. On top of that, the service is friendly and efficient, making the whole dining experience even better. Definitely a place I’d love to come back to again!

The ingredients are top-quality and very fresh. The meats are thinly sliced and tender, the seafood is clean and the vegetables are crisp and plentiful. I especially loved the soup. There are so many choices to create the perfect flavor combination.