Spiciness is polarizing, to say the least, but for KCUR’s Adventure! newsletter freelance writer Xiao daCunha it heightens all the flavors in a dish.
“It makes it stronger. It definitely makes them linger for longer times,” daCunha said. “And also sometimes — you know what? — you just need a good sweat.”
Kansas City, Kansas, is infamous for being the home of Da’ Bomb hot sauces, of “Hot Ones” fame, but there’s much more than that to the metro’s spicy foods scene. It’s filled with plates for every taste, whether you’re looking for something so hot it could double as a food challenge or just a little tingle on the tongue.
Thelma’s Kitchen Executive Chef Natasha Bailey, KCUR freelance contributor Shannon Carpenter and daCunha share their favorite spots for a flamin’ hot meal below.
Natasha Bailey:
KC Craft Ramen serves noodles in the most flavorful spicy broth. I could eat a million of these bowls topped with seasoned eggs, corn, chicken or pork, and a double dose of seaweed — not to mention the homemade noodles.
Charlie Hooper’s is the spot to hit for late-night munchies. The Spicy Shrimp tastes best at 1 a.m., flash-fried to crispy perfection and tossed with dragonfire aioli. The Cajun Mac pleases with cavatappi noodles, blackened shrimp, bacon, spinach, and bell peppers tossed in a creamy gouda cheese sauce. Scrumptious.
Teetasty Foods is Nigerian cuisine at its finest. The Goat Meat Pepper Soup brings the most heat but the Beef Suya Meal, with jollof rice and plantains, and the spicy coconut rice with stewed chicken, a side of yam fries, and pepper sauce, is worth a go too. A vita milk and pineapple juice cool the heat, if you need it!
Chewology is a Taiwanese cuisine dream when spice is the mission. Choose between the Mala Xiao Long Bao, with beef, sichuan peppercorns, chile, star anise, doubjiang, and sesame, or the Beef & Napa Dumpling, a beef and fermented cabbage dumpling with sesame oil, chile and red oil. The star of the show is Taiwanese Beef Noodle, featuring melt-in-your-mouth American wagyu beef shank, pickled mustard relish, bok choy, green onion, cilantro and chili bomb.
Buck Tui BBQ’s Red Curry Burnt Ends is a consistent stunner. The smoke of the meat mixed with the sweet and spice of the curry makes this dish stand out. The fried chive cakes, spicy soy vinaigrette, fried onion and cilantro gets an honorable mention.
Cru Bistro & Bottles has a fantastically spicy and flavorful Shakshuka on their brunch menu. Three poached eggs sit on a bed of spiced tomato sauce, and it’s served with a slice of local sourdough. The garlic, cumin, and peppers shine through in this dish, making it a staple in the rotation.
Thai House is the place to go for the perfect spicy meal. I usually start with a cup of Tom Kha soup. At the medium-hot level, the soup’s coconut milk cools alongside the hot spices — but I get the Thai-hot version that hurts so good. Cool down with the Papaya Salad, and finish with Thai coffee and mango sticky rice.
Shannon Carpenter:
KC Smoke Burger makes all its patties in-house, and two stand out for spice: the Fire Burger, with pepper jack cheese, sriracha, and jalapenos, and the Danger Zone Burger, which adds the super-intense “Danger Zone” sauce for an extra challenge.
Hamburger Mary’s Spice Girl burger brings the heat, topped with blackened seasoning, spicy mayo, hot sauce, jalapenos and jack cheese. It might make your nose run but fear not: It also comes with ranch to cool everything down.
Grinders’ Death Nectar sauce adds a true inferno to your meal, clocking in at 337,000 Scoville units, almost 2 1/2 times hotter than Da’ Bomb. You can add Death Nectar to chicken wings, barbecue, or use it as a dipping sauce, but it’s definitely not intended for anyone under 18 or “crybabies of any age.”
Mexican Corner Restaurant’s Family Burrito Challenge dares diners to house a 3-foot-long, fencepost-width burrito in less than 30 minutes. The spice-sensitive will be challenged to even finish the three large, roasted jalapenos — seeds and all — that come as part of the challenge.
Chick-in Waffle has six locations in Kansas City and Lawrence, and offers a variety of spicy sauces, including spicy honey, Nashville hot, and “911 Sauce!” For those who can’t get enough, the Hot Box Hot Chicken kicks things up another notch (for a limited time), and comes with gloves so there’s no risk of getting it in your eyes.
Mexico Lindo KC serves a great menudo, a soup with beef tripe and red chili pepper broth that’s well-known as a hangover cure. The heat won’t melt your face off, but will provide a comforting warmth. If things get too spicy, order a set of sopapillas, airy, fried pastries that counter the heat with a light sweetness.
Burrito Bros.’ salsas are delicious and authentic — hot enough to make your nose run but not spicy enough to ruin your day. Add them to a bowl or burrito, or make the salsa the star of the show with a basket of chips.
Xiao daCunha:
Thai Orchid’s rice, noodle and curry dishes pack a spicy punch. Choose your heat level from medium-mild to Thai-hot. Medium will be spicy for the average palate — I haven’t had the courage to try Thai-hot yet.
Flavor of Himalaya has a biryani that is not to be missed. For most spicy food lovers, opting for medium heat would be suitable, but I go for hot when I’m craving a kick or feeling under the weather. The spice is no joke, and you can really taste the flavoring and herbs.
Daisy’s Mexican Food in Independence has an unmatched spicy red sauce with a unique smoky flavor. The spice level itself is quite extreme, and the heat lingers from tongue to stomach. The staff is generous with the hot sauce, but a few drops on your burrito is enough and I keep a stash of what’s left over for my breakfast at home.
Mother Clucker! does Nashville hot chicken right. Average spice-lovers should stay with “Kicking It Up” or “Cluck Yeah” spice levels. Anything hotter than “Mother Clucker” will get you sweating, but that’s why you pair it with a milkshake! And the crinkle fries are always fresh and hot.
Lotus Hotpot & Grill’s broths are all pleasantly spicy. For a more mild heat, the Tom Yum is my suggestion. The Spicy Veggie is a bit hotter, and House Special the most intense. If that’s not enough, pair the spicy broth with the kimchi or sour beef broth to make it feel hotter. You can also add extra chili paste to your dipping sauce, if you really want to embrace the heat.
Rosedale Bar-B-Q’s spicy sauce gets me teary-eyed, and I almost never find barbecue sauces spicy. That’s enough to make it worth the recommendation but I also love Rosedale’s daily specials, and all the food comes in good portions.
