So.. this is my virgin try at Ri Ri Hong after only 1 other take at Mala in a nearby foodcourt. (That wasn’t too bad but it had bitter aftertastes and was more la than anything)

Your firsts does make a difference at defining all the others. But thankfully this time, I was met with a piquant bowl of MALA that wasn’t overly oily, but truly fragrant with garlic and other herbaceous additions to the dish.

I loved it. It was a beautiful balance of every spice and herb and MORE. The spices were lightly tossed, not overly crushed and extracted, hence the overall palatability

9/10

Beware the sneaky peppercorns that can get embedded in the veggies.