Over the last few years, the mala trend has truly taken off in Singapore. It's safe to say that in 2021, our love affair with mala will continue on. Mala Xiang Guo stores can now be found in nearly every coffeeshop, and mala-flavoured snacks and cup noodles continue to pop up ever so often.
So perhaps it was a matter of time before McDonald's hopped on the bandwagon. After the hits and misses of Seaweed, French Onion, Cheese, Truffle and Salted Egg renditions, how did the Mala McShaker Fries fare?
Our verdict is that it is surprisingly good, maybe even addictively so, although fans of the tongue-numbing effect in mala might be mildly disappointed.
An order of Mala McShaker fries comes with a large portion of fries, a paper bag to shake the fries and spice in, along with a black, deadly-looking spice packet that's made with a blend of Szechuan peppercorns, chilli powder and other umami spices.
Upon opening the packet, the scent reminded us strongly of a MSG seasoning packet from curry maggi noodles, only with a more pungent kick. (Don't stick your nose inside. You will sneeze. I learnt the lesson the hard way.)
Taste-wise, it’s fragrant and spicy, but not overwhelmingly so. Just the right amount of heat (for someone who usually orders wei la or xiao la at mala xiang guo stalls).
However, as a fan of the tongue-numbing effect that comes with mala, I found the Mala McShaker to fall behind a little bit in this area.
That said, the mala fries are extremely addictive. In fact, I devoured the whole packet before I even got to my burger. After that I was left with a burn and a tingly sensation in my mouth, the side effects I will happily accept after having anything mala. And then I had McDonald's again the next day just so I could have the fries again.
If you're on a diet or trying to eat better this year, you have been warned... The fries are probably pretty unhealthy, and you'll hit your sodium intake with just this packet of fries alone.
Whether you’re a hardcore mala fan or you just flirt with it every once in awhile, the Mala McShaker Fries are a must-try. They cost $3.50 ala carte, or $0.70 more if you are upgrading the fries in your extra value meal. Available in-store or via delivery!