Are maocai and Mala Tang the same thing?
Not the same, otherwise he wouldn't be called maocai Mala Tang. Maocai is a special feature of Chengdu, which is a dish made of soup boiled with traditional Chinese medicine and various seasonings. Use a bamboo spoon to pack vegetables, usually one spoon; Boil it in a pot, put it in a bowl, and mix all kinds of seasonings in the bowl in advance. By the way, add a spoonful of soup called "maocai", and sprinkle some coriander, chopped green onion and Sichuan's unique lobster sauce, which becomes the most famous and distinctive snack "maocai" in Chengdu. Simply put, "maocai is a hot pot for one person, and a hot pot is a maocai for a group of people.