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辣不辣 Labula Mala Hotpot Restaurant @ Hougang

4.3(1,233)on Google$$chinesehougang

683 Hougang Ave 8, #01-923, Singapore 530683

Dine-inTakeoutWheelchair accessible

Opening Hours

Today (Monday)10:30 AM – 4:30 AM

STAMPEDE Score

Moderate confidence
C+Worth a visit

Score: 65 / 100

Atmosphere70
Queue wait50
Food quality75
Value for money50

Based on 5 data points · Updated 9 days ago

Editor’s Note

Last updated 29 May 2026

Our take: Labula Mala Hotpot in Hougang offers a Mala Xiang Guo that many find less oily than typical, making it a good option for those who want the flavour without the heavy feeling.

We'd recommend opting for at least 'mild spicy' (小辣) to get the full mala experience, as anything less might resemble a garlic stir-fry.

Their Golden Fish Slice Soup is also noted for its thick, peppery broth that pairs well with rice.

However, we've observed consistent feedback regarding service, particularly during busy times.

Orders, especially for items like the fish soup, can be significantly delayed, sometimes arriving only after reminders or when other dishes are nearly finished.

While the food itself generally receives positive remarks, the ordering system and staff communication around special requests appear to be a recurring pain point, leading to frustration for some diners.

The skewers, while some find the chicken well-seasoned, have been described as average, with vegetables sometimes undercooked.

Given the pricing, it might not be the top value option for everyone.

Best for a casual mala fix if you're in the area and not in a rush, but be prepared for potential service inconsistencies.

Signature

Mala Xiang Guo

Best time

Avoid peak periods

Wait time

Longer waits during busy periods

Price

Moderate

Score: 65 · 5 sources

What customers say

Labula Mala Hotpot at Hougang receives mixed but generally positive feedback.

Customers frequently praise the mala's balanced flavor profile, noting it's less oily yet still potent, with special mentions for Chef 13's cooking.

The golden fish slice soup is also a highlight.

However, service inconsistencies, particularly long wait times during busy periods and issues with order accuracy and staff communication regarding special requests, detract from the dining experience.

Some find the pricing on the higher side and the skewer portions/preparation inconsistent.

Balanced Mala Flavor (less oily)Golden Fish Slice Soup qualityService inconsistency & order accuracyLong wait times during peak hoursPricing and skewer quality variability
50% positive20% neutral30% negative

Google Reviews

★★★★Lyla (ZL)· 2 months ago

Mala Xiang Guo is mainly what we had when visiting Labula. I recommend trying at least mild spicy (小辣) or above; otherwise, it’s almost like having a non-spicy garlic stir-fried version. We also trie…

★★★★★Eileen T· 3 months ago

First time dining at Labula. It’s not the typical mala place where you can freely pick and customise your portions, so if you usually like to take a bit of everything, it’s better to share with your d…

★★★★Fluff Puff· 6 months ago

Very bad experience although food was good Had dinner here and honestly it was quite a frustrating experience. They use a contactless ordering system, so customers have to order and pay through a QR…

★★★★★fartingtoe· 4 months ago

WOW you know I like to think of myself as a mala connoisseur I've eaten so much mala from so many different places but this is the first time I've eaten a bowl of mala and not feel like a fatty afterw…

★★★★★Fei Kuen Low· 6 months ago

Chef 13 cook the best mala that I've eaten when I was here on 18 Nov 25! It's hard to describe, it's not too oily and salty, the flavour all blend together so well! Special shout out to xiao ji for h…

Reviews from Google

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