Zhang Liang Malatang Sydney Review: Chinatown Gem (2026)
Dive into the delicious world of Malatang at Zhang Liang in Sydney's bustling Chinatown. Find out why this spot is a favorite for authentic, customizable spicy bowls.
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Dive into the delicious world of Malatang at Zhang Liang in Sydney's bustling Chinatown. Find out why this spot is a favorite for authentic, customizable spicy bowls.
Sydney Foodie Finds:
Zhang Liang Malatang in Chinatown
Text/Photos ©Haibubu
While Sydney might not have one specific 'local cuisine' it's famous for,
it more than makes up for it with an incredible array of international flavors.
And among them, the Malatang I absolutely adore is rumored to be fantastic here.
Today, I'm thrilled to share my review of a must-try spot in Sydney's Chinatown:
Zhang Liang Malatang!
Zhang Liang Malatang Haymarket |
Opening Hours: Daily 11:00 AM - 11:30 PM Location: Shop 1B&1C/718 George St, Haymarket NSW 2000 Australia |
Zhang Liang Malatang is perfectly situated right by Sydney's vibrant Chinatown.
Its proximity to the Chinatown tram station makes it incredibly easy to reach.
Plus, the heart of Chinatown is bustling even late at night, feeling safe and lively,
making it an ideal spot to grab a delicious late-night bite.
Zhang Liang Malatang offers both cozy indoor seating and a lovely outdoor terrace.
The interior was surprisingly spacious, with ample seating, yet it was consistently packed due to its popularity.
If you visit during Sydney's pleasant autumn, sitting on the terrace, feeling the cool breeze,
would be an absolutely delightful way to enjoy your meal.
The good news is, ordering Malatang here is pretty similar to how it's done in Korea.
You simply choose your preferred soup base from a selection of nine options,
then pick your ingredients, and you're good to go!
The variety of flavors was truly impressive, far more extensive than what you might find in Korea.
You can choose from Classic, Tomato, Mushroom, Tom Yum Goong, or even Malaxiangguo (Spicy Dry Wok).
If you're looking for that classic Malatang experience,
just opt for the first option: Classic flavor.
📌 Price
Malatang: 38 AUD/kg
Spicy Mix: 40 AUD/kg
Malaxiangguo (Spicy Dry Wok): 42 AUD/kg
While the Malatang prices might seem roughly double what you'd pay in Korea,
it's actually quite reasonable for Australian standards.
Zhang Liang Malatang boasts an incredible variety of ingredients, probably because it caters to customers from diverse backgrounds.
I was genuinely wide-eyed to find even more options here than at Malatang places I've tried in China!
Meats, fish cakes, vegetables, noodles, and more...
It took quite a while to look at each one and make my choices.
Among them, I was really excited to see duck blood and egg tofu.
These are ingredients you don't often find in Korea!
You just fill your bowl with as many ingredients as you want,
according to your taste.
Personally, I think ingredients that most people would enjoy are
vegetables, noodles, and raw meats.
Since meat and vegetables are the same price per gram,
I highly recommend loading up on the meat!
Once you've filled your bowl, head over to the counter to
weigh your selections and pay.
While waiting for my food, I could see the Malatang and Xianggou
that other customers had ordered.
They looked so delicious, I was really looking forward to mine!
There's also a beverage fridge on one side.
You can try some drinks commonly found in China,
so feel free to pick one and pay.
On the other side, there's a self-service sauce bar
where you can mix your own dipping sauces.
While Malatang is delicious on its own,
it has even more flavor when paired with a dipping sauce,
so definitely try making one!
Personally, my recommended Malatang sauce recipe is to mix
peanut sauce, chili oil, garlic, and oyster sauce.
If you add some fried soybeans to that,
it adds a delightful crunch and makes it even more delicious!
After about a 10-minute wait, my appetizing Malatang arrived!
Just smelling it, I knew it would be perfectly to my taste.
First off, the broth was a bit milder than the Malatang I've had in Korea,
so I think it's a flavor that most people would enjoy!
The broth was so good, I even wanted to mix it with rice.
I added corn noodles and Chinese glass noodles,
and they were cooked perfectly al dente, so I slurped them right up.
I added my usual favorite ingredients like lotus root, napa cabbage, potatoes, fish balls, and sausages –
and none of them were a miss!
The lotus root was surprisingly crunchy and tasted absolutely wonderful.
The meat had no gamey taste, and the shrimp were plump and juicy...
It was such a satisfying meal!
Although two of us shared one bowl,
since the price per 100g is the same anyway,
I'd totally recommend getting a bowl each!
If you're in Sydney and craving a break from Western cuisine,
I absolutely recommend Zhang Liang Malatang near Chinatown!
If you usually love Malatang,
you'll be more than satisfied – guaranteed!
With a fantastic variety of soup bases, countless ingredients,
a clean interior, and even free sauces,
the ability to customize it exactly to my taste made it even better!
At 38 AUD per 100g, it's a bit pricier than back home (Korea),
but honestly, considering the cost of living in Australia, it felt quite reasonable.
It was so delicious, I personally wanted to visit it one more time during my Sydney trip!
If you find yourself in Chinatown, I highly recommend checking it out!
📍 Zhang Liang Malatang Haymarket
Shop 1B&1C/718 George St, Haymarket NSW 2000 Australia
▼ Explore more delicious spots in Sydney, Australia! ▼
Zhangliang Malatang is conveniently located near Sydney's Chinatown and is easily accessible, being close to the Chinatown tram station. The address is Shop 1B&1C/718 George St, Haymarket NSW 2000, Australia.
Zhangliang Malatang operates daily from 11:00 AM to 11:30 PM. Located in the heart of Chinatown, it's a great spot for a late-night snack, as the area remains busy even in the late evening.
To order Malatang, you first choose one of 9 base soups, then select your desired ingredients. Soup types include Classic, Tomato, Mushroom, Tom Yum flavor, and Mala Xiang Guo.
The price for Malatang is 38 AUD per kilogram. Since meat and vegetables are priced the same per gram, it's recommended to load up on meat. You'll also find a variety of unique ingredients not commonly seen in Korea, such as duck blood and egg tofu.
Yes, there's a self-service sauce station available in a corner of the restaurant. You can mix peanut sauce, chili oil, garlic, and oyster sauce, then add fried soybeans for an extra crunchy texture, making your Malatang even more delicious.
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