Culture — Entry No. 1000
마라탕
malatang · noun
마라탕
malatang
[mah-lah-TAHNG]
nounbeginner
Meaning
Malatang (마라탕) is a spicy Chinese-origin street food (Sichuan) popular in Korea, consisting of a broth infused with numbing Sichuan peppercorns (málà flavor: ‘numb-spicy’) and chili oil. Diners select various vegetables, meats, and noodles to cook in the pot, customizing heat and ingredients to preference.
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
K-Drama characters bonding over malatang at food stalls is a recurring trope, especially in modern urban dramas showing young adult friendships. Stray Kids members have mentioned enjoying malatang during late-night practice sessions, and K-pop idols regularly feature it in mukbang videos. International K-pop fans discover malatang as an affordable, customizable street food experience—combining the thrill of spice-seeking with fandom bonding at food alleys.
Example Sentences
마라탕에 떡볶이 좀 넣어줘.
malatang-e tteokbokki jom neoeojwo.
Add some tteokbokki to my malatang. (customizing the pot)
이 마라탕 정말 맵네!
i malatang jeongmal maepne!
This malatang is really spicy! (spice-level reaction)
친구들이랑 마라탕 먹으러 가자.
chingudeulairang malatang meokeuro gaja.
Let’s go eat malatang with friends. (group outing plan)
⚠️ Don’t use malatang when…
1) Malatang’s málà (numbing-spicy) sensation is different from heat—the Sichuan pepper creates a tingling mouth feeling separate from chili burn. 2) Many malatang stalls don’t have English menus; bring a translation app or point at ingredients—locals will understand.
🎵 Heard In
- K-Drama: Itaewon Class — Characters gather at street food stalls; malatang appears in bonding scenes.
- K-Pop: Stray Kids — Bang Chan has mentioned malatang as a comfort food during practice sessions.
ℹ️ Editorial Note: The cultural context and example usage are for educational reference only. Artist names, song titles, and drama references are used descriptively to illustrate vocabulary in context. This content is AI-assisted and reviewed for accuracy. For official information, please refer to the respective artists’ or studios’ official channels.