Hot Eastern

I was a semi loyal customer, who had always been on the fence (not super good value if you think what’s in the malabang) but had constantly come back when I have a crazing for spicy food. It is indeed spicy; I never find spicy to be really spicy except authentic Indian, Mexican, and Szechuan places. So that’s good. The people cooking were always nice.
That was before they moved downstairs to the former café de lulu.
I went today. Their décor was cool. They sell more stuff now which is kinda exciting. But they also increased the price (5 to 7, 7 to 9) which is OK I guess. I ordered malabang again, and I did get more food. But, BUT, it was basically all noodles, when there was more stuff in the past. The potatoes were also not cooked through. I basically paid 7 bucks for a bunch of starch noodles, a bunch of cabbage, and a tiny bit of seaweed. Not cool. The noodles were fine (like eating a very nice bowl of packet ramen) but the rest were not well flavored
The waitress /​cashier was also kind of cold and curt. Not rude, but I left thinking she probably didn’t enjoy working there or just didn’t like my face. She got the job done but could improve a bit on the customer service skills.
Probably won’t go back, especially I’m pretty sure I can make the food at home

Tried mild instead of medium — definitely easier on the taste buds and tear ducts. Not only is it easier to bear, but it actually allowed me to more fully experience the flavors of the broth while still having a little kick of spice and made it even more enjoyable.

This place has grown on me. I was on the fence after my first try, which was a mild veggie ban with no extra skewers. It was ok and not exceptionally filling. However, I decided to give it another try and I thought it was the better the second time around. Now several meals later, I have learned that adding skewers definitely help with the hungry lunch belly. If you have a big appetite, you will need to ask for skewers and extras to load up the ban (or order two).
I’ve tried both the beef and the veggie; the beef version adds a few thin slices of beef to chew on, not much else. Veggie is the way to go, IMO. One thing to keep in mind: the taste and spiciness of the ban can vary, depending on who is making it. Today’s ban was saltier than usual, but inconsistencies can happen at any food establishment.
As others have mentioned, the staff is very friendly and accommodating. They are more than happy to add to the spiciness, if you find it too mild. The service is usually very quick but on a few occasions, I have had to wait a bit for the food. You can bring your own drink (nonalcoholic, of course) as their selection is very limited. The location… well, if you don’t like tight spaces, you will run out of here screaming. You can always take the food to go…

Incredible flavor, with a distinct personal touch by the cook. I got the broth extra spicy thinking that I could handle it but I was sorely mistaken.

My boyfriend and I came into Hot Eastern at a bad time. We got there around 4:45PM on a Sunday and for some reason, 6 people had just sat down ahead of us and were all waiting for their food. We took the last 2 seats (yes, the little bar indeed only sits 8) and waited around 25 minutes to 30 minutes for our meal.
The menu is simple: Veggie malaban or beef malaban (I have no idea why they call it «bang» when it’s supposed to be «ban» which translates to «mix» since really, these dishes are a mix of ingredients. Anyway, I digress…). You then have the option of adding a bunch of different skewers to your ban. We told him just to add the additional skewers we wanted to our dish so I’m not sure if you can just get skewers on a stick, but I’m assuming you can (maybe?)
I ordered a mild beef malaban because I’m a btch when it comes to spicy foods and my boyfriend ordered a medium hot one. We added all the skewers except the mushroom one and our meal came out to be maybe $ 25 ish.
When our food finally came out, I have to say I didn’t think it would be that spicy. The soupy base that the ban sits in is deceptively not red, and I happily started slurping away at my noodles. Within about 30 seconds I started sweating bullets. I have a love hate relationship with spicey foods. It hurt so good, but my face was a blotchy mess and I had to sadly remind myself that this was only the mild spice level.
The meal was good, but I think we could’ve made it at home and it would’ve taken a shorter amount of time. The guy running the stand was very nice (it probably helped that we spoke to him in Chinese) but I probably wouldn’t come back too frequently.

OK this place is pretty bad. First, it’s hard to find, inset from the sidewalk and without a clearly visible sign. Inside, there are several different cooking stations, but ²⁄₃ are for sushi. The malabang is closest to the front, and it’s manned by a friendly guy who, unfortunately, doesn’t inspire much culinary confidence.
The malabang is indeed spicy, but the composition is bad. Noodles are sparse, there’s seaweed tangled with flakes of beef, and the other ingredients just do not intermix well with the noodles. Quantity is also slacking, leaving a rather fortunate void in the belly. At least the broth has a good peanut flavor.
Also, note that the skewers don’t actually include skewers, just boiled little preserved balls of fish or meat served in a plastic bowl. Having traveled around China and certainly accustomed to casual eating there, I was very disappointed with the lackluster experience at Hot Eastern.
Two stars remain because it’s cheap and fast.

This place does not get enough attention. It’s in a little hole-​in-​the-​wall food court deep in Chinatown, and unfortunately it’s overshadowed by the sushi place next to it. It doesn’t market itself too well, and so it’s hard to find and easy to overlook.
However, this is the satisfy-​your-​craving sort of place that reminds me of the little places in small-​town Sichuan where folks gather around a stove to keep warm while slurping up some spicy, tasty food.
There is really only one option in two varieties: the mala bang in beef or veggie-​only form. That’s what they do. And they do it really well. Everything is tasty. I found the mild a little too mild. The medium is just perfect. It’s definitely got a kick. If you don’t like spicy, you probably won’t enjoy the dish all that much. The sichuan peppercorns activate the taste buds just right to appreciate the dish, and too little won’t really give you the right experience, so either go spicy or go sushi. This dish has both the sichuan style of spicy («lip» spicy) and the more conventional style of spicy («tongue» spicy). I wish they had something that was really sichuan spicy with a little less tongue spicy, but the hot sauce (which can be added in amounts you specify) is really very good.
Super cheap. Different. And the folks that work here are *really* friendly and not at all pushy.
Oh, and they only have about 6 or 7 seats, right at the counter. I really hope these guys last, because I get cravings for their food quite often, and no place else serves this kind of dish. It’s not ramen, it’s not hot pot. It’s mala bang.

Super small portion and very expensive. The food is not authentic or even close to delicious AT ALL. The staff is very very rude. They don’t give you menu and don’t answer questions or speak to you until you pay. The face is cold and not friendly. I’ll never go back there. Expensive, Bad Food, and Rude service.

This is probably the best restaurant in Chinatown that you’ve never been to. As a 老外 who has never had authentic Chinese street food I’ve been told and can tell that this is as close as you can get in Boston. The level of spice (depending on how you order) is great because it actually compliments the flavors instead of just punching you in the nose (it does punch you in the nose, though). Bring a friend or two and chow down. The prices are fantastic, by the way.
If you’re hungry after I suggest you try Avana Sushi which is literally a step away.

3.68 000 004 Stars
MaLa! That’s the battle cry here. They will adjust the pain, er hotness to your pleasure/​pain response. I went with very spicy. It was all that and then some.
Cleared the sinuses but didn’t make cough, cry or sneeze.
1. Veggie Mala Bang
2. Beef Mala Bang (same as above but with shave meat)
3. Skewers of fish, meat, sausage, lobster, enoki roll, shrimp dumplings.
4. Nice assortment of drinks (non-​alcoholic, tea, juice, soft drinks).
Get a bowl (aluminium container) and some skewers to share.
* Value priced meal
* Eat at the counter once at least and…
* beat back the over flowing Sushi patrons from the other stall, you are out numbered. Preserve your personal space!
* parking? Ha!

A good place for small portion!!! Very friendly staff, they always making sure you are ok with your level of spiciness. The owner are nice and friendly, not just serving me foods but have small chat with my friend and I. I like the taste of foods here because it unique and I definitely never had these kind of foods before. Of course! Maybe not for everyone but at least it’s great for me, so! I recommend that you at least give this place a try once.
Oh! And the price is quite reasonable!!!

I had to see what all the hype was about this place. I walk in and it’s a small stand with ledge seating in front of it. There is other seating around the small shared area but it looked like they were all occupied by people ordering from the sushi place. I was unsure on how to order but a quick glance at their very simple menu made it very easy to figure out. You get a choice of veggie or beef mala bang. You can customize the «hot» level and add skewers of different types of meat. I chose beef and added fried fish ball skewer to my order. I ordered it hot and asked the lady who took my order if the hot level will burn my mouth and she said yes. That got me so excited I couldn’t wait to eat my food. (I have a high heat tolerance)
Firstly, every so often the lady behind the counter (btw it seemed to be a one man show) kept sweeping her hair behind her ear. She really should have clipped her hair up if it kept falling into her face. Luckily her hands never physically touched any of my food. And I did inspect it for any hair before eating.
Secondly, the fish balls did not come on a skewer. She just threw them in the container with the beef once it was cooked. I like eating off skewers as it reminds me of eating street meats in HK. So I was kinda bummed when the fish balls were just thrown in the container.
Thirdly, the dish was not spicy enough for me. It did have a kick to it but I was expecting my mouth to be burning through the meal. Unfortunately it wasn’t so and I was greatly disappointed.
The dish was decently flavored. Portion seemed small for the $ 8 I paid. I came out of there still hungry.

I wandered into this tiny store having gotten bored with the bahn mi that I usually feast on after my appointments at Tufts Dental. I had had a mala a few years ago and had made a mental note to have another. I was thrilled and skeptical when I saw Hot Eastern in the «food court» of the Avana building. (The food court is about the size of a 2 bedroom apartment with 4 stalls.) I ordered the veggie and tofu mala. The owner/​chef asked if I wanted it «spicy» and I replied that I did.
It was spicy enough to clear my sinuses but not so spicy that I couldn’t eat with enthusiasm. The owner and his wife were tolerant of my asking for a fork and spoon so as not to demonstrate my less than sterling chopstick «skills».
The broth of the mala tasted of white pepper and Asian chili powder which provided an ocean for the soft noodles, thin sliced potatoes, lettuce and tofu.
Fresh is the most apt description! I paired my meal with a sippie box of green tea.
Hot Eatern is very basic and the mala is served in pie tins on a narrow counter that seats 5 at most.
Delighted, I resolved to return again and the chef/​owner and his wife/​manager recognized me immediately. This second visit was just as good as the first I am more than happy to say as 1-​shot quality is sadly all too common. My 2^nd visit’s mala had sprouts that were crunchy fresh.
On my way out the owner gave me a «Buy 10, get 1 free,» card which I plan on using.
Just about the only shortcoming is that they don’t have ice for soda. Yeah, I know mala and Diet Coke isn’t probably the «correct» thing to drink but…
Go here! I wish nothing but the best for Hot Eastern.

Hot hot hot! But it burns so good. Hot Eastern is like one of those street vendors you see at a night market, but short by just a few marks.
The mala bang really hit spicy on the mark. My medium spicy bowl had me sweating a lot. It was perfect though for the cold winter weather. Bring tums! To be honest there wasn’t a lot of beef and the skewers don’t really add a whole lot of food in the end.
What’s great about those night market stalls is the food is dirt cheap without sacrificing flavor. While you do get some great meatiness and mala broth, you do end up with a pricey bowl when all things are said and done. Compare a $ 9 beef mala bang which would come with two skewers. You can get a whole lot more food by get a bowl of phở down the street.
Anyway still four stars because the flavors are there and the experience really brings back good memories of street food in asian. Would get that 5^th star for either more food or lower prices.

WARNING: spicy hot party in your mouth
I like things spicy, but I don’t think this is my kind of spice. Mala is a different kind of spicy; it is a numbing uncomfortable spice if you are not used to it.
The menu is simple, Vegetable ($ 5) or Beef Mala Bang ($ 7). The Mala Bang reminds me of the contents you may find in a hotpot/​shabu shabu place. I got the Beef Mala Bang which consisted of rice noodles, bean sprouts, baby corn, seaweed, peanuts, chinese cabbage, enoki mushroom, thinly sliced radish and beef of course. They ask if you want cilantro and vinegar in your soup, which I opted for. You can also order a variety of skewers for $ 1. I can’t remember all of them, but some are lobster balls, fish balls, and mini hot dogs. The veggies, noodles and balls/​beef were cooked perfectly. I got the medium spicy level and that was pretty spicy for me. Half way through my mouth was burning, but I still finished.
The price was very affordable and the service was great. They were very friendly and warned about the spiciness, but if I were to eat here again I will definitely opt for mild spiciness.

DON’T KILL ME D:
Ok I really wanted to like it here, but the taste isn’t for me.
Good:
–so cheap, you can spend $ 20 and drown yourself knee deep in balls… like you know beef, shrimp and fish balls…
–nice honest people! our enoki mushroom stick ran away into the abyss .jk it fell of the stick when being dip in the broth so they gave us some for free
–friendly service
Ok:
the food…
Maybe it was not enough sauce but it tasted sorta bland to me… yes spicy but bland. all you can taste is spiciness
maybe I will try the bowl w/​the veggies and broth next time because the balls on their own was not for me…
On a second note, my Hue friend, you know Hue the capital of Spicy, Vietnam, can’t handle the spice here and can’t even finish, so you know its mighty spicy
Willing to try a second time, hoping to like it … really want to like this place… they’re so nice T^T

Wonderfully spicy!
This place is small and new – there are rough edges. I’ve had a few long waits, and the food hasn’t had a consistent flavor across multiple visits.
However, while the flavor is inconsistent, the mala is still consistently yummy – whether it’s peppery, creamy, or sour on any given day. The spice is classic «hot and numbing,» the veggies are fresh and soft, and the noodles are cooked just right and serve as a perfect vehicle for the blistering sauce – all for $ 5 to $ 7 dollars.

Great food, perfect service, very affordable price! Authentic stuff! Must try if you like spicy food. They dont take cards so take some cash with you. Will definitely come back again.

If you like mala, this is a place for you. There are only two options on the menu, but thats all you need! You can get either veggies with noodles in a soup broth or skewers. You can also add beef. Get both of them in a single bowl! The food is super good! And it’s quick and convenient.
You can choose from non-​spicy or spicy broth. Spicy comes in low/​med/​high. If you like spicy, try low first and then come again. and get more spicy.
Check it out, it’s awesome!

A new addition to the food stall (Avana, Dumpling King and Egg Puff Lady). The place was opened sometime last week and serves skewers and spicy noodles. When I say spicy, I am not joking. The owner asked how spicy I can take it, I told him mild. Boy, it was super spicy! I cannot imagined how hot spicy will be. The taste was hotter than mongolian hot pot broth. If you like spicy food, this is the place to go! The skewer is $ 1 each (4 items on a stick). I took a quick glance and they have curry balls, shrimp dumplings, etc.