MAPO SZECHUAN: HOTPOT FOR GERMAPHOBES

Paranoid about the swaths of germs lurking within your communal bowl of hot pot (shabu shabu)? Allay your warranted fears with Mapo Szechuan’s individual hot pot option.* Mapo Szechuan’s multi-level ambience readily accommodates larger groups looking to kick back over either all-you-can-eat (AYCE) or individual Sichuan-style hotpot options.** One induction burner is assigned to most seats.

[STUDENTS]

[FRONT DINING AREA]

[BACK ROOM LIGHTS]

Flushing Food opted to try the à la carte order, simmered in a $7.50 metal bowl of ‘Sister Su’ Spicy Pot, which is Mapo Szechuan’s default mala (numbing spicy) soup, complete with tofu already hiding towards the bottom. The broth was quite spicy (maybe four on a scale of five), so one Flushing Food reviewer was relieved that the pot was refilled with cold water, rather than more of Sister Su’s unforgiving mix.

[SISTER SU SPICY POT]

One reviewer happened to be sick, so Flushing Food started off the meal with veggies heavy on vitamin C. Besides a $2.75 basket of spinach, we had our fill of lotus root ($2.25 for around nine or ten slices) and taro ($2.75 yielded six rectangular cubes). No matter your order, place the lotus roots in first; they take perhaps the longest of most raw materials to cook. Taro

[TARO AND LOTUS ROOT]

Our meat orders included lamb ($7.75), Sister Su hot spicy beef ($6.50), and handmade fish ball (four pieces for $3.25, but we got an extra piece:***

[COLLAGE OF MEATS]

While we also ordered pork heart ($3.50 for this nauseatingly chewy and coppery organ), and all of us tried some for prosperity, Flushing Food regrets that we didn’t snap any clear pictures.****

So to each his or her own at Mapo Szechuan. Go communal as per status quo. Or go your own pot, so your civilized self can avoid germs or animal organs that other (annoying brave) colleagues or friends just insist on trying.

May Flushing Food suggest: avoiding over-ordering with Mapo Szechuan’s AYCE option. Your final bill may reflect additional charges for any unfinished plates.***

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* To be fair, Mapo’s AYCE option is a decent deal, even by 2015 Flushing standards. $29 (plus tax and tips) includes two hours of an array of meat, seafood, soy, and veggie options, plus complimentary soup dumplings, plus unlimited soft drinks and pitchers of Bud Light™.
** Note: with the AYCE option, your group must divvy up communal hotpots as the waiter(s) determine appropriate for your group size.
*** http://www.yelp.com/biz/mapo-szechuan-flushing
**** You’re welcome.

Media credits: Helen Y.
Gadget: Nikon® Coolpix™ AW110  
Software: Fotor