Tag: mala

Tasty Hot Pot at Mabu Generation

Published on by Michael NusairLeave a comment

Mabu Generation
Location: 1177 Central Parkway West, Mississauga
Website: https://mabugeneration.com/

Mabu Generation is a small chain (they also have locations in Markham and Toronto) that serves what they call Taiwanese fusion.  Their specialty seems to be their “Taiwanese style mini hot pot.”  Not so sure about that “mini” designation —  I split this with one person and it was way more food than either of us needed.  I’m pretty sure you can comfortably share this with three or even four people (making it a great deal at 26 bucks).

Mabu Generation

I went with the House Special Spicy Hot Pot: “Nappa cabbage, seafood mushroom, tomato, iced tofu, meat ball (pork), clam, quail egg, pork blood cake, pork blood, pork intestine, preserved vegetables, cilantro, sliced beef, luncheon meat.”

Mabu Generation

It’s a very enjoyable dish.  It’s absolutely crammed with tasty stuff, and the Sichuan-peppercorn-infused soup has that satisfying spicy/numbing mala thing going on in spades.  It could probably be spicier, but it’s got a decent enough kick.  It’s quite good.

Tasty Eats at Shake Shack x MIMI Chinese

Published on by Michael NusairLeave a comment

Shake Shack x MIMI Chinese
Location: 10 Dundas Street East, Toronto
Website: https://shakeshack.ca/

Shake Shack is currently doing a limited-time collaboration with Mimi Chinese.  It ends on May 26, so you’d better hurry if you want to check it out (and trust me, you want to check it out).  They’re serving a chicken sandwich, seasoned fries, and a black sesame milkshake; all three are thoroughly delicious.

Shake Shack x MIMI Chinese

First up: the Málà Chicken sandwich (“Crispy chicken spiced with MIMI’s signature chili oil, charred scallion relish, green chili mayo, tangy pickles and lettuce”).

In Chinese cuisine, “mala” refers to a flavour that’s simultaneously spicy and numbing (thanks to Sichuan peppercorns), and yeah, this sandwich nails that.  It’s not the spiciest thing you’ll ever eat, but it’s got a good kick and a noticeable tingliness from the peppercorns.

Shake Shack x MIMI Chinese

The sandwich is otherwise nice and zippy, with a great balance of flavours.  It was kind of a bummer that the piece of chicken in my sandwich only filled half the bun (it was basically a hefty chicken strip), but the quality was great, with a crispy exterior and a very juicy interior (particularly impressive, given that it’s white meat).

Shake Shack x MIMI Chinese

And everything here was so tasty that even the condiment-only half of the sandwich was still satisfying.

Shake Shack x MIMI Chinese

I also tried the Shaokao Fries (“Crinkle cuts, street food–style—dusted with cumin, chili, and Sichuan peppercorn. Served with green chili mayo”).

The fries themselves were standard-issue crinkle cut fries, but that tasty seasoning really elevates them, with more of that hot/numbing flavour.  And the dip is a great combo of creamy and zesty.

Shake Shack x MIMI Chinese

I wasn’t planning on getting the milkshake, but if you’re already getting the sandwich and the fries, I guess you may as well go all the way and get the shake, too.  The Black Sesame Coconut Shake: “A nutty blend of black sesame and coconut inspired by traditional Chinese desserts.”

Shake Shack x MIMI Chinese

And hey, what do you know — this was pretty great, too.  In particular, the pronounced black sesame flavour actually works really well in a milkshake, which was nice and creamy without being overly thick.