Who here likes spicy food? If you are one, then today is the day to celebrate, as January 16th is marked as the International Hot & Spicy Food Day. It is the day to show some appreciation to the little devils that gives the burning pleasure to our tongue - and stomach too!
Southeast Asia is one of the top destinations for those who loves spicy food and seek some kind of daredevil culinary adventure. It has been known by the whole world that Asian foods are using a variety of spices as key ingredients to their dishes. With that being said, in the light of the International Hot & Spicy Food Day, let’s honor some of the intriguing spicy food across Southeast Asia.
Ayam Penyet
Coming from East Java, Indonesia, this “smashed chicken” dish is a marinated skin-on chicken is served with a spicy sambal. What makes it spicy is the sambal which consists of anchovies, tomatoes, shallots, garlic, shrimp paste, tamarind, sugar and lime juice.
Mala Hin
From Myanmar, there’s Mala Hin that is a vegetarian’s delight which consists of beans, carrots, kailan, noodles, peas, and tofu. The heat comes from a spicy bean sauce that smothers the whole dish.
Pad Kra Prao
One of the spiciest dish of Thailand is Pad Kra Prao which is a fiery stir-fry of holy basil, herbs, spices, a fried egg and chicken. For extra kick, ask the dish made “ped mak mak” which means very, very spicy like how the locals eat it.
Seblak
A beloved street food dish from West Java, Indonesia, that’s notorious for its devilish spicy broth. Drenched in the reddish thick broth, the toppings of this dish are kerupuk or crackers mixed with chicken or sausage.
Bicol Express
For those who are craving spice in the Philippines, Bicol Express which is the quintessential Filipino comfort food is the perfect choice. Also known as Sinilihan, this dish is a creamy coconut milk based with pork, long chillies, shrimp paste, onion and garlic.
Devil's Curry
Kari Debal or Devil’s Curry is a spicy yet yummy dish that’s uniquely Malaysian from Malacca. Made out of 30 shallots and 50 dried chillies, you can bet that the dish is super spicy!
Gaeng Tai Pla
This Thai dish is a few notches of heat above the famous Tom Yum. Also known as Gaeng Som, the dish is an orange curry made from shrimp paste, bird’s eye chillies and tamarind juice with fish meat.
Feeling the saliva that wells up inside your mouth yet? Go on and munch some of these spicy dishes, you daredevils!