Tianshui's malatang (food boiled in hot spicy soup) in Gansu province has recently gone viral on online platforms, with food enthusiasts from across the nation savoring its flavors and posting their experiences on social media. 

Tourists taste malatang in Tianshui, Gansu province, on March 14, 2024. [Photo provided to gogansu.com]

In Gansu’s malatang restaurants, dishes are typically skewered on bamboo sticks and sold in bundles, with each skewer priced at one or two yuan. Patrons select their preferred ingredients, which are then cooked in a boiling broth, served in a bowl with the original soup, and lathered with chili oil. The enticing presentation has not only tantalized the taste buds of netizens nationwide but also inspired many to embark on impromptu gastronomic journeys, queuing up with their “vegetable bouquets” in anticipation of the unforgettable taste.

Patrons are queuing up with their “vegetable bouquets” in anticipation of the unforgettable taste of malatang. [Photo/CCTV]

The vastness of Gansu means that the appearance of its malatang varies from place to place.

In southeastern Gansu, including Tianshui city, which is not far from Sichuan and Shaanxi province, the malatang is richer with more chili oil, offering a choice between soup-based or dry mixed. 

Malatang in southeastern Gansu province. [Photo provided to gogansu.com]

Traveling north to Zhangye and Jiuquan city, the malatang typically features less soup and thicker sauce. Besides chili, there are additional sweet and salty sauces concocted by the restaurant owners. 

Malatang in Zhangye and Jiuquan, Gansu province. [Photo provided to gogansu.com]

Each bowl of seemingly simple malatang captures the essence of Gansu’s diverse locales, with every element playing an indispensable role.