15 of the Spiciest Foods in the World

We all know that Indian cuisine is all about using the various spices that add flavour to the dishes. Compared to the rest of the world, we can reasonably agree that Indians have a higher tolerance to spices. However, there are some dishes that take the spice level to its absolute extreme.

Hot and spicy has been debated for long; it has left people in splits. Some love them, and others hate them.

We have a list of some of the hottest or spiciest food in the world to make your eyes water and make you sweat.

List of the Spiciest Food in World

From the subtle and tame jalapenos to the fiery habanero and bhut jholokia, here are some of the spiciest foods in the world that you must try (or probably not):

1. Kimchi Jjigae, Korea
2. Suicide Chicken Wings, America
3. Papa a la Huancaina, Peru
4. Phaal Curry, India
5. Neua Pad Prik, Thailand
6. Sichuan hot pot, China
7. Jerk Chicken, Jamaica
8. Tom Yum, Thailand
9. Sik Sik Wat, Ethiopia
10. Huo Guo, China
11. Sambal Oelek, Indonesia
12. Griot, Haiti
13. Buldak, South Korea
14. Gaeng Tai Pla, Thailand
15. Tortas Ahogadas, Mexico

Kimchi Jjigae, Korea 

If you love Korean cuisine or like to indulge in culinary experiments, you may have had kimchi before, a staple in all Korean restaurants. But, you may not have tasted this spicy version of the humble Kimchi, which is one of like the hottest food ever.

There are no secret ingredients here that make this dish one of the spiciest in the world. The same ingredients go into making this dish, green onions, tofu, garlic, mushrooms and a generous amount of red chillies. Instead, it is the cooking method that makes the difference.  

Kimchi Jjigae is simmered on a slow heat in a chilli-infused stew until the broth reaches a specific level of spiciness. To top it off, the dish is served piping hot. Make sure you keep a fire extinguisher handy as you taste it because you sure will feel the fire.    

Suicide Chicken Wings, America 

If the name itself is scaring you away, it is better to back off now before you taste it. We all like chicken wings, don’t we? But spicy or rather spiciest chicken wings are probably best left for the food connoisseurs with superhuman abilities. 

The evergreen classic American appetizer is called suicide wings for nothing. It is made from a marinade of red-hot chilli sauce, chopped chillies, pepper, and red chilli flakes. Now you know why it is a suicide mission? The mix of Mexican, Korean and Chinese peppers makes the dish one of the hottest food in the world.

Papa a la Huancaina, Peru 

The South Americans are known to handle a bit of spice and it is no surprise that a dish from Peru features on the most spicy food in the world list. What may appear to be a deceptively simple salad made with olives and boiled eggs mixed in a Huancaina thick sauce, is laden with Amarillo chilli peppers.  

Loved by the locals, if you are going to try this, here is a word of caution for all - keep your doctor on the speed dial or an ambulance on standby to get immediate medical attention.  

Phaal Curry, India 

Everyone knows that Indian curries are generally hot. What is so special about this one? Why is this one of the spiciest food in the world?
The chefs at the restaurants that serve Phaal curry wear gas masks while making the dish. If that is any hint of how hot and spicy the dish is. The hottest curry in the world, it is an Indian curry that originated in the UK restaurants. 

It is so spicy that people who dare to try this are required to sign an undertaking, which states they are solely responsible for the after effects of eating the dish and they will not sue the restaurant. The tomato-based curry contains chicken and is loaded with 10 different types of peppers, including the notorious bhut jolokia, one of the hottest chillies in the world.

Neua Pad Prik, Thailand 

Thai food is one of the most popular foods in the world. People from all over the world visit Thailand to indulge in its various delicacies. Like all Asian cuisine, Thai food is known to use a good amount of spices, but Neua Pad Prik takes it a few notches up.  

A common Thai dish, it is also known as Thai pepper steak and it is simple to make. It is made with sliced beef pieces with lots of seasonings including, basil, garlic, shallots and the bird’s eye chilli. To give you a sense of its spiciness, it ranks between 100,000 – 225,000 Scoville heat units, or as the experts put it - face-meltingly hot. This puts it on the list of the hottest dishes in the world.  

Sichuan hot pot, China 

Typically Chinese food from the Sichuan region is considered to be one of the spiciest foods in the world and the hot pot is just a fine example of it. This delicious broth, made with onions, garlic, mushrooms, Sichuan peppers, and any other ingredient as you please (be it duck, pork, beef or chicken meat), is usually a hot favourite among the locals during the winters.  

If the hot temperature of the soup doesn’t give you the kick, the spiciness of it will definitely make you sweat and shed a few tears. The spicy warmth of the soup may help you cope with the cold air but your tongue will feel the fire.  

Jerk Chicken, Jamaica 

The finest Jamaican ingredients, including cinnamon, cloves, spring onions, chicken, thyme, garlic, nutmeg go into the making of this Jamaican delicacy. But, what makes this one of the hottest foods in the world is the use of scotch bonnet peppers. To lower the heat level, it is generally served with a side of rice.

Tom Yum, Thailand 

Enter the thrilling world of Tom Yum, where spice takes centre stage in a symphony of flavours. This is one of the hottest dishes in the world and a Thai masterpiece, a spicy soup extravaganza featuring succulent shrimp, mushrooms, lemongrass, and chilli peppers.

Each spoonful is a spicy celebration. Every spoonful is like a flavour-packed fiesta, setting your taste buds ablaze with its bold and aromatic flavours.

Sik Sik Wat, Ethiopia

Get ready for a spicy culinary adventure like no other with Sik Sik Wat. Stealing the spotlight with a fiery performance, this is one of the hottest dishes in the world that will set your taste buds ablaze! 

Tender chicken or succulent beef slow-cooked to perfection and bathed in the intense embrace of berbere spice. Brace yourself for an irresistible journey through the heart of Ethiopian cuisine, where ordinary ingredients transform into a spicy feast of epic proportions.

Huo Guo, China

Spice takes the spotlight in Huo Guo, China's hot pot sensation that's all about the sizzle. Gather around the bubbling broth infused with Sichuan peppercorns and fiery chilli peppers. The numbing and spicy sensation isn't just a sidekick—it's the hero, turning this communal feast into a spicy adventure. Let the spice be your guide as you dip and cook, making Huo Guo a flavourful celebration of Chinese spice that'll leave you craving more.

Sambal Oelek, Indonesia

Sambal Oelek, also spelled "Sambal Ulek," is a popular Indonesian chilli paste or sauce made from crushed or ground red chilli peppers, vinegar, and salt. The name "sambal" refers to a spicy condiment or sauce, and "oelek" or "ulek" refers to the traditional stone mortar and pestle used to make the paste.

But do not mistake this to be just a spicy dish. It is one of the spiciest things in the world that you will ever eat.

Griot, Haiti

Get ready to experience extreme spice with Griot, It is Haiti's hot sensation that's one of their hottest food ever. Marinated and fried pork chunks take centre stage, infused with Scotch bonnet peppers, garlic, and a medley of herbs. Spice is the hero, turning Griot into a symphony of savoury and spicy goodness. Served with pikliz, a spicy slaw, Griot isn't just a meal—it's a spicy celebration of Haitian flavours that makes spice the hero of the plate.

Buldak, South Korea

Buldak, which translates to "fire chicken," is a popular and extremely spicy Korean dish. Buldak became popular in South Korea in 2004, primarily for its extreme pungency, as the country's long-term recession and economic downturn caused the local population to seek out spicy food to relieve stress.
The dish is known for its intense heat, and it has gained popularity not only in South Korea but also as one of the hottest food in the world. The spiciness of Buldak comes from the use of a fiery red chilli sauce, often made with gochugaru (Korean red chilli pepper flakes) and gochujang (Korean red chilli paste).

Gaeng Tai Pla, Thailand

It is a distinctive and intensely flavoured Thai curry that originates from Southern Thailand, particularly the region of Phuket. It is renowned for its complex and spicy taste. The key element that gives Gaeng Tai Pla its unique flavour is the use of tai pla, a fermented fish viscera sauce. The sauce adds a spicy and robust umami flavour to the curry.

Gaeng Tai Pla showcases the rich flavours of Southern Thai cuisine, which makes it a standout dish, representing both the culinary expertise and diversity of Thai cooking.

Tortas Ahogadas, Mexico

Tortas Ahogadas, meaning "drowned sandwiches" in English, are a cherished dish in Guadalajara, Mexico. This hearty and flavorful sandwich has become an iconic part of Mexican street food culture.

This popular street food involves submerging a hearty sandwich in a zesty, spicy tomato sauce. The combination of tasty fillings, crusty bread, and the fiery sauce delivers a comforting and exciting culinary delight.

Now that you know about the spiciest foods in the world, go ahead and bring out your daredevil spirit and, try one of these foods and tell us about your experience. We would love to hear your spicy story!

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