Labula (辣不辣) brings Sichuan flavour to Hougang Village from its outlet at 683 Hougang Ave 8, #01-895. Part of a homegrown group that opened its first store in Tampines in 2016, Labula has spent the past eight years offering the community a premium dining experience at neighbourhood prices, and now counts branches in Tampines, Hougang, Pasir Ris, Punggol, Marine Parade and Yishun.
The kitchen's calling cards are authentic mala stir-fry, flavorful grilled fish and classic Sichuan cuisine, organised across five menu sections: BBQ Fish, Spicy Dish, BBQ, No Spicy Dish and Drinks. True to a name that asks 'spicy or not spicy', the menu runs fiery signatures and mellow non-spicy plates side by side, so everyone at the table finds something to love.
Built for family gatherings and friend meet-ups, the Hougang branch takes reservations as well as team reservations for larger groups, and offers self-pick-up for those who prefer to eat at home.
Labula (辣不辣) is a name Singapore's heartland diners have come to know well. The brand opened its first store in Tampines in 2016 with a simple yet firm belief: to offer the community a premium dining experience at neighbourhood prices. For the past eight years that belief has carried Labula to six locations across Tampines, Hougang, Pasir Ris, Punggol, Marine Parade and Yishun — and the Hougang Village outlet at 683 Hougang Ave 8, #01-895 brings the full experience to the north-east.
The restaurant's calling cards are threefold: authentic mala stir-fry, flavorful grilled fish and classic Sichuan cuisine. It is food built for the middle of the table — bold, aromatic dishes meant to be shared over rice and conversation. And true to a name that playfully asks 'spicy or not spicy', Labula cooks on both sides of the chilli line, with a dedicated non-spicy menu running alongside its fiery signatures.
Grilled fish leads the way. The BBQ Fish section is the menu's centrepiece: fish from the grill served in flavourful sauce, a dish that has anchored Labula's reputation since day one. Around it sits a wider line-up — the Spicy Dish category gathers the restaurant's mala stir-fries and other Sichuan heat, while the BBQ menu adds grilled plates to round out a feast. The kitchen's classic Sichuan cooking ties it all together: familiar dishes done the way regulars expect, year after year.
Not everyone at the table chases the burn, and Labula plans for that. The No Spicy Dish section exists precisely for milder palates — grandparents, children, colleagues who prefer gentle flavours — so a single table can order a fiery mala stir-fry and a mellow non-spicy plate without anyone compromising. Drinks round out the menu, ready to cool things down when the mala bites. This balance of fire and restraint is a big part of why the restaurant has become a default choice for family gatherings and friend meet-ups.
The Hougang branch keeps things easy whether you are dining in or eating at home. Tables can be booked in advance through the website's reservation page, and larger parties — team dinners, family celebrations — have a dedicated team reservations channel. If you would rather eat in, the self-pick-up service lets you order ahead and collect. Promotions are updated on the site, so it is worth a quick look before you visit.
A few practical notes help. Because Labula is a natural pick for group meals, reserving ahead through the website's reservations page is the easiest way to lock in a table for the weekend. Bigger groups can use the team reservations option, designed for office lunches and clan gatherings. Ordering for home? The self-pick-up channel means your grilled fish and sides are ready when you arrive. First-timers should skim the five menu categories — BBQ Fish, Spicy Dish, BBQ, No Spicy Dish and Drinks — to get a feel for the layout before ordering.
From a single Tampines store in 2016 to six neighbourhoods across Singapore, Labula's growth says something about how well the formula lands: honest Sichuan flavours, generous sharing plates and prices that respect the heartland. At Hougang Village, that formula plays out daily — grilled fish heading out of the kitchen, mala stir-fries landing on crowded tables, and non-spicy dishes keeping the whole family happy. Whether you are a mala devotee or a first-timer easing in, the menu has a place for you.