Brisbane's Ten Best Spicy Foods for Hardcore Heat Lovers

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For the chilli lovers among us, that endorphin rush from a good capsaicin burn — or the component of peppers that makes them spicy — results in the exhilarating desire for more. Apparently, we're all gluttons for punishment. Thankfully, there's a world of fiery sensation out there for us chilli-chasing folk. Once the need takes hold and you start searching for that next my-face-is-on-fire-and-I-regret-nothing hit, you need not look further, we've got some Brissie hotspots to share with you.

Maybe you're a sucker for the Sichuan numbness, or you live for the slow-building curry sweats, or you just want to push your personal Scoville-scale limits in a tongue-burning challenge; whatever you prefer, we've partnered with Zantac to ensure you don't have to miss the best spice in town. So, all you hot-sauce-carrying heat aficionados out there, hit up these Brisbane-based burns and get ready to sweat.

Cole Bennetts.

FIRE TONKOTSU RAMEN AT TARO'S RAMEN, VARIOUS LOCATIONS

Not only does this ramen have an ultra-fiery pork broth — with chilli oil and chilli sauce topped with chilli powder and shredded fresh chilli for good measure — but it can also be turned up another notch (somehow) thanks to Taro's 'high heat' option available for no extra charge. (How much more chilli elements are there?) Thankfully, the renowned ramen joint doesn't sacrifice flavour for heat. While it builds from a spicy frisson to a satisfying chilli glow with each slurp, this beautiful bowl delivers the usual craftsmanship you'd expect from the ramen joint: hand-made noodles, a rich broth base, nori sheets, shallots, Bangalow sweet pork and a gooey boiled egg. A well-stocked condiments station means you can add all the chilli oil and shichimi you may need to hit the spot.

CHONGQING CHILLI CHICKEN AT HAPPY BOY, FORTITUDE VALLEY

This chilli fan favourite has made it back on the menu after a hiatus, and, boy, we couldn't be happier. Even the most stoic have been known to shed a tear over Happy Boy's Chongqing chilli chicken: a garlicky, salty Sichuan stir-fry with rich little morsels of chicken wok-fried alongside an abundance of dried chillies. And with its fiery oiliness, the spicy number makes sure that mouthwatering Sichuan buzz lingers on the tongue long after your last bite. Even beyond all that heat, there are a lot of flavours going on, so balance accordingly with rice.

RON JEREMY HOTDOG AT BUFFALO BAR, CBD

Please give a warm welcome to Buffalo Bar's Ron Jeremy hotdog. Not only is this 'dog not one but two feet long, but it also comes with a four-chilli rating and an eating challenge — if you can scoff this baby down in ten minutes, you'll get it for free plus a $50 bar tab. The hotdog comes topped with bacon and smoked sour cream and the spice factor from lashings of 'Hell Bound' chilli sauce and American mustard. If you're not so keen to down this hot, hot heat in a mere few minutes, you can also get the hot dog to share. And, if hotdogs just aren't your thing, you can get the 'Hell Bound' hot sauce on a basket of Wet Wings instead.

SICHUAN BOILED FISH AT THE LITTLE CUBE, SUNNYBANK

Hands down one of the best Sichuan places in Brisbane, The Little Cube offers a range of chilli-packed options perfect for every kind of spice lover. But, the go-to dish if you really want some heat is the Shui Zhu Yu: poached white fish swimming in a sea of dried chillies and enough Sichuan peppercorns to get that unmistakable electric-current tingle with each bite. Warning: this huge portion comes in a group-size serve only — so bring your chilli-chasing mates unless you are especially daring.

DEATH SENTENCE WINGS AT YARD DOGGS, FORTITUDE VALLEY

A menu item that comes with a spice warning? Yes, please. If you crave watering eyes and singed sinuses, chow down on a plate of these deep-fried wings and drummies slathered in high-octane heat. Slicked all over with a searing habanero sauce — you can actually see the chilli skins and seeds — these succulent bites are not for the faint-hearted. Mercifully though, Yard Doggs (formerly Yard Bird) provides cool ranch dipping pots to rescue your flame-engulfed mouth. You'll concentrate so hard on beating the burn you won't stop to wipe your hands and face. Prepared to get messy and sweaty — and definitely, don't touch your eyes until you've thoroughly washed this sauce off.

CHICKEN HAI HAI AT CURRYVILLE, MORNINGSIDE

The menu description starts with "Australia's hottest curry" and ends with a prayer, so trust us when we say this curry packs military-grade firepower. With chicken, onion, capsicum and lots and lots (and lots) of chillies, the dish is the most serious of Curryville's fresh, home-style curries. This fella carries a spice-radius that'll make even your dining companion's eyes water. The restaurant strongly recommends sharing this one for your own wellbeing, but if you think you can take it, just don't forget the extra raita.

HOTTEST BURGER IN THE WORLD AT OFF THE WALL DINER, WELLINGTON POINT

If none of the other suggestions seems serious enough, and you're really just craving a punishing chilli bodyslam, head out to Wellington Point for this infamous mega-burger challenge. Not only is it a mighty big burger, but it also possesses the most fearful of chillies: the Carolina Reaper (regularly judged the hottest in the world). Even spice enthusiasts struggle with this one — sweating, gasping, hiccupping, fighting against their body's instinct to run for the soothing safety of milk. If you've got a point to prove and nothing to lose except your dignity, get into it.

ACHAARI CURRY AT KLAY OVEN, TENERIFFE

You've gotta love any restaurant with a customisable spice level. To that end, most curries on Klay Oven's menu can be heightened to whatever extreme heat you desire. For some real fire, we'd recommend the Achaari curry to get the full chilli hit. Since it's not as creamy as other curries, there isn't much of a cool factor to soften the blow. With pickling spices and tomato, it's a sharp, slightly sweet and very rich main dish. Kick the experience up a notch with a Lahriya Mirch starter — pastry-wrapped stuffed chillies — to get a base-layer of embers before lighting the flame.

AYAM GORENG AT SHALOM, SUNNYBANK HILLS

Shalom serves legit Indonesian heat in a no-frills Sunnybank setting. And quite frankly, you wouldn't want to be somewhere fancy when facing spice like this. Rated five chillies, the Ayam Goreng Shalom —marinated fried chicken with fresh chilli sauce — is not for a spice newbie, but it's worth the burn and sinus cleanse. You'll be glad it also comes with a crisp salad to take some of the edge off so you can appreciate the soft, moist flesh of the bird. Shalom does chicken really, really well, guys. Kick it up with extra house-made Shalom sambal for a zingy, fiery burst.

AUSSIE CRY THAI BEEF SALAD AT MY THAI, AUCHENFLOWER

Infamous among Brisbane's spice seekers, this sassy little number issues a challenge with its very name. Don't be turned off by the fact that it's a salad; My Thai's Aussie Cry comes in at a shocking six-chilli rating on the menu, where most of the regular curries sit at two. Oh, and there's no buffer of coconut milk or rice between you and the fire. With vibrant, fresh Thai flavours, this warm salad included sliced beef, birds eye chillies, onion, lemongrass, lemon juice, Thai herbs and a burn that'll wreck the tastebuds of the unwary — at least for a little while, that is.

To find out more about Zantac, visit the website. Zantac relieves heartburn. Always read the label. Use only as directed. If symptoms persist consult your health professional.

Top image: Happy Boy.