Prepare the soft tofu, vegetables, mushrooms, and mala soup ingredients.
Pour chicken stock or water into a pot and bring to a boil.
Add mala sauce (such as mala paste, doubanjiang) and minced garlic, and mix well.
Add the prepared vegetables, mushrooms, dried tofu, shrimp, and cook.
Gently add the soft tofu and stir while simmering.
Season with low-sodium soy sauce or similar.
Serve in a bowl and finish with sliced green onion and cilantro.