(meat is in the image on the packaging, and there is chicken bouillon in the flavour packet)
Context: 北京 Mala Instant Noodles is a Chinese instant noodle made in 南街村, a Maoist village in Henan that refused to follow Deng’s liberal reforms and remained communist to this day. The villagers collectively own the Nanjie group that guarantees employment and runs over 20 different enterprises, largest of which produce foodstuffs such as beer, flour, and noodles amongst other things. The workers are paid 30% of the profits as cash and 70% is re-invested into public works. Villagers enjoy free housing, electricity, gas, healthcare, transport and education from kindergarten to university/vocational school. Furniture and essential electronics are also provided to every household for free.
Honestly, not the greatest instant noodle available in China but it cost me ¥1.50 from a 24/7 convenience store with fairly high markups. If I looked harder I probably could have found them for ¥1.25 or ¥1 in bulk.
Was it spicy? They have a big pepper front and center, so I’m curious.
As far as I recall the term mala refers to the combination of chili and Szechuan pepper that gives a unique numbing heat.
So the noodles have mala? That’s awesome. I bought some Szechuan peppercorns a while back and loved experimenting with them. Stir fried veggies with finely ground peppercorns and some scorpion pepper sauce was fucking lit. Marinate some tofu in something sweet with some soy, it was awesome.
I found a recipe for a Chinese chilli oil infused with chilli, Szechuan pepper and other spices. It is absolutely delicious on noodles
Barely noticeable to my palate but the ingredients did say Sichuan peppercorns and chili powder so it’s probably in a low enough amount to be inoffensive throughout the country.