Some people consider Malatang to be an unhealthy food, perhaps more because of its humble origins and low price, leading to concerns about its safety. In reality, if food safety can be ensured and ingredients are rationally combined, Malatang can be considered a quite decent fast food, much healthier and more environmentally friendly than fried foods.
First of all, Malatang in Beijing is not spicy, unless you ask for extra chili. Here, sesame paste is often used, which is a very healthy condiment rich in calcium and vitamin E. Garlic juice is also frequently added, which has antibacterial properties.
Secondly, Malatang typically includes a variety of green leafy vegetables, various soy products, algae such as kelp, fungi like mushrooms, tubers, fish, eggs, and more. In comparison, plant-based ingredients are predominant. With a reasonable combination, it is easier to meet the requirements for acid-base balance and complies with the principle of dietary diversity compared to general fast food dishes.
Third, the heating temperature for Malatang is not high, and it does not produce smoke oil or problems with high-temperature fat oxidation. Compared to high-temperature stir-frying, it causes less environmental pollution to the air.
Fourth, during the process of blanching the ingredients, some oxalic acid, nitrites, and pesticides in the vegetables can be removed. Although some vitamin C is lost, it also reduces anti-nutritional factors and toxic substances. As long as you pay attention to changing the blanching water regularly and use less salt during the process, it is a very good cooking method.
Finally, the seasonings for Malatang can be made healthy and low-fat. No oil is used when blanching the ingredients, and the amount of oil in the sauce can also be reduced according to customer requirements. Overall, the raw ingredients contain little fat and are relatively low in calories. In contrast, when stir-frying dishes, oil is often added in three stages: stir-frying with oil, cooking, and finishing with a drizzle of oil, and customers cannot choose the amount of oil used in the dish.