COOL FRIENDS

Amelie Kang

By
Coolstuff Team
May 6, 2022

Meet Amelie, a member of Forbes’ 30-under-30 and co-founder of MáLà Project: a Sichuan Chinese restaurant with locations in the East Village, Bryant Park and Midtown (with a fourth location on the way!) In order to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month, we caught up with Amelie to hear how she built MáLà Project with friends to become a Michelin Bib Gourmand-recommended place to dine.

How did you start your Chinese restaurant, MáLà Project?
After graduating from The Culinary Institute of America, I moved to New York City and realized that I had a hard time finding my favorite food, Mala Dry Pot, in the epicurious city. After working at China Blue for 9 months as the manager, I partnered up with some friends and decided to open MaLa Project that focuses on dry pot and other sichuan dishes.

What's your favorite part about the New York creative community?
As long as you are bringing something positive to the table, you can find your place no matter your style, stand, opinion. People are incredibly supportive and open minded.

What's inspiring you right now?
People are craving for human connections after two years of distance. Creating unique interhuman and community experiences can be very rewarding!

Follow along:
@malaproject on Instagram
www.malaproject.nyc