The spiciest food and restaurants in Melbourne, from the Hot and Numbing Crispy Duck at Spice Temple to the Really F**kin’ Hot Chicken Wings at Belle’s Hot Chicken.
Chongqing Chilli Chicken at Dainty Sichuan.
Since opening in 2003, Dainty Sichuan has built a cult following of chilli lovers. Using a closely guarded collection of speciality spices including fermented soy beans and hot pickled mustard tubers, the kitchen are putting together dishes that pack a serious punch. Plating up a small mountain of dried chillies and Sichuan peppercorns will have even the most iron tongues in an overwhelmingly satisfying burn.
176 Toorak Road, South Yarra. 9078 1686.
Really Fuckin’ Hot Chicken Wings at Belle’s Hot Chicken.
Belle’s Hot Chicken aren’t fucking around with these bad boys. This is southern fried soul food the way it should be – hot enough to turn your neck red and have you seeing fireworks like it’s the fourth of July. Containing habaneros chilli peppers and numerous seeds, you’ll want to have a side of coleslaw and an icy beer at the ready for this one.
150 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy. 9077 0788.
De Carne Tacos at Los Hermanos.
Twice cooked beef marinated in chipotle salsa served on an open tortilla stacked with lettuce, coriander, cheese and green tomatillo salsa. Mexican food doesn’t come much better than that. At five dollars a pop, you can’t go wrong with any of Los Hermanos offerings, with their fish, zucchini and lamp tacos all worth a try. Try the cactus salad with a mojito on the side for the full experience.
339 Victoria Street, Brunswick. 9939 3661.
Drunken Noodles at Cookie.
Legend suggests that drunken noodles were named after being so spicy that copious drinking was needed to temper the heat. That, or because they’re often cooked with rice wine. How am I supposed to know? When you’re four beers deep during a single bowl of this, let me know.
First Floor / 252 Swanston Street. 9663 7660..
Hot and Numbing Crispy Duck at Spice Temple.
Spice Temple is the type of place you might take your significant other on an anniversary date. If they’re still sticking around after watching sweat slowly seep through your rented tux – you’ll know it’s true love. Say goodbye to that deposit and take on this dish from the award-winning Rockpool Group.
Crown Complex, Southbank. 8679 1888.
Crazy Wings at Crazy Wing.
These guys have cooked up a wing so hot and spicy that they decided to name their entire business after it. If that ain’t enough to get you through the door, I don’t know what is. Serving up smoky flavours in an unassuming Chinese restaurant, all the skewers are made to order and come straight off the grill in a matter of minutes. Just $2.50 gets you a world of pain and next level spices. The accompanying soy milk comes highly recommended.
177 Russell Street, CBD. 9663 6555.
Deep Fried Chilli Squid & Sweet Chilli Sauce at Colonel Tan’s.
Aside from being a place to go out with your tennis racquet and air horn, Revolver Upstairs also houses Colonel Tan’s – a fusion between American diner and Thai street food. As well as their stella squid, they’re offering up a range of curries, stir fries and ribs that all feature generous doses of chillies and spice.
229 Chapel Street, Prahran. 9521 5985.
Beef Vindaloo at Carlton Curry House.
As one of the most infamously spicy dishes of Indian cuisine, Carlton Curry House do justice to the dishes’ roots as a traditional fire starter. Also on offer is a range of vegetarian curry that stack up just as well to their meaty counterparts.
108 Lygon Street, Carlton. 9078 1263.
God Fire Ramen at Hakata Gensuke.
Prepare to meet your maker if you choose the maximum amount of fire with this tear inducing ramen. The blazing red Tonkotsu broth comes with thin noodles, tender pork cha-shu, black fungus and spring onions. The best part about this ramen is that after downing the noodles, you can treat yourself to the leftover broth where the stinging chilli takes centre stage.
168 Russell St, CBD. 9663 6342.
