Most people know chilli peppers are one of the hottest foods on the planet – but did you know that the hottest chilli pepper in the world is always changing?
These spicy little morsels are constantly evolving, with the Carolina Reaper recently named the hottest with a Scoville Heat Unit (SHU) rating of 2,200,000 – that’s 200 times hotter than a jalapeno! Can you imagine popping this into your mouth?
As we celebrate International Hot and Spicy Day on Tuesday, January 16, here are some fun ways to mark the occasion and six restaurants to heat things up with a meal out:
•Try a spicy dish you have never eaten before.
•Dine at a Thai, Korean or Indian restaurant, where they serve spicy food.
•Learn about the different kinds of chilli peppers.
•Make a recipe with a spice you’ve never used before.
•Host a chilli cook-off with friends and family.
Tantalising Spices of Indian Cuisine
To fulfil cravings for the tantalising spices of Indian cuisine when in Bendigo, join locals heading to Food O’Clock Cafe & Indian Restaurant on Mollison Street. Diners are welcomed inside and invited to venture through a red chiffon curtain draped across an archway and into a family-friendly dining room, where artwork adorning the walls adds warmth and an extra splash of colour to a clean design.
Stop in on Tuesday and spice up your life with a starter of tender lamb chops marinated in yoghurt and cooked in the tandoor, before turning up the heat with lamb vindaloo curry, best enjoyed with sides of steamed rice and garlic naan. Finish indulgently with a dessert of gulab jamun and mango kulfi.
Modern Asian Cuisine
Find modern Asian cuisine on the menu at Pachi Pachi on Albany Highway in Victoria Park. Step into a warm and welcoming vibe of recycled timber tables, whitewashed brick, potted greenery and softly glowing drop globe lighting, which turns moody and romantic at night, to peruse extensive dish choices sure to tempt all palates.
Perhaps embark on your hot and spicy adventure with beef tataki and yuzu ponzu, with wasabi mayo, shallots and fresh chilli; move onto signature mains such as soft-shell crab Malay curry with deep-fried whole egg, potato and sides of steamed rice and wok-tossed bok choy, garlic and soy sauce.
Premium Wagyu Beef and Live Seafood
One pot, one world is what you’ll find on the menu at Dolar Shop Hot Pot on Hay Street in Haymarket. Located in the dining precinct level of Market City, take time out from retail therapy to refuel and recharge at this stylish restaurant named after the Chinese term embodying the people’s willingness to work hard to gather prosperity, fortune and never turn down opportunities.
Hot pots are one of the most beloved ways of dining in Chinese culture from Wagyu beef to pork, chicken and seafood, there is something to tempt all tastes; kick things off with a signature Macau starter of salt and pepper crispy pork or calamari, followed by boneless lamb ribs, or Kagoshima A5 Wagyu striploin.
Authentic Thai Cuisine
Discover the story of authentic Thai cuisine one dish at a time at A Day in BKK restaurant on Nelson Place in Williamstown. Step into a casually stylish ambience of paper globe lights, stacked stone walls and crazy paved flooring to find a cosy table or intimate nook to experience culinary creations that will have you returning time and again.
Dip your spoon into a steaming bowl of classic spicy and sour tom yum soup with chicken, or devour prawn and crab meat golden moneybags to begin your culinary adventure; before red duck curry for the main, with pineapple, lychee, basil and mixed vegetables, or calamari, prawns and scallops in a special spicy sauce.
Well-loved Local Restaurant
With more than 25 years’ experience, Moti Mahal on Glenferrie Road brings the exotic flavours of traditional Indian cuisine to Malvern. This well-loved local restaurant exudes a warm and welcoming vibe of rattan furniture, Indian artwork and accents, while white-clothed tables beckon for lingering over a leisurely lunch or dinner with family and friends.
No matter if you are in the mood for a full gourmet experience or just a snack, there is a dish on the menu to suit all tastes; celebrate early for Hot and Spicy Day with dishes such as Bengali-style prawns with smoked chilli and poppy seed curry, or devour mustard-flavoured Bombay lamb, potatoes and spices, enjoyed with steamed rice, raita and papadums.
Authentic Recipes with a Modern Take
For a burst of vibrancy in both flavour and culture in Manuka, book in for a delectable culinary experience at Jewel of India restaurant on Bougainville Street. Recently refurbished, Jewel of India’s spacious interior is set in tones of deep blue, from thick carpet to upholstered chairs with intimate tables laden in white linen for formal dining, while wide windows provide a sunny outlook to the greenery of nearby trees.
Finding a balance between dishes inspired by authentic recipes and creating a modern take on classics sees a loyal local following returning for mouth-watering feasts; delve into the likes of hot and spicy fish Kolhapuri from Mumbai, or pepper spiced chicken Chettinad curry, with basmati rice, tandoori roti and papadums.
