"Ma-La" is the flavor created by the combination of Szechuan pepper and chili, referred to as Ma-La meaning "numbing and spicy". Literally, "Ma" means the tingly taste that causes a numbness on the lips and tongue, and "La" means hot. This flavor gives Szechuan cuisine its independent character.
Representative dishes are Ma-La Hot Pot, Spicy Braised Beef (Shui Zhu Niurou) and Ma-Po Tofu. This flavor combination can be used in many different dishes prepared with meat, poultry, seafood, vegetables and pasta.
