The Most Popular Spicy Food, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the spicy food you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 9, 2024 06:51
Spicy foods ignite a fiery debate among enthusiasts, each arguing the merits of their favorite dishes. In various cultures around the globe, adding heat to meals is not just a method of cooking but a culinary challenge. As tastes and tolerances vary tremendously, establishing a ranking of the most beloved spicy foods helps shed light on widespread preferences.
This dynamic scoreboard offers a fun way for foodies to share their passion for spice by voting for their top picks. As votes pour in, the leaderboard continually updates, reflecting which dishes are currently capturing the hearts and taste buds of spicy food lovers worldwide. Your participation helps ensure the most accurate and representative ranking possible.
What Is the Most Popular Spicy Food?
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164votes
Buffalo wings
Teressa BellissimoThis classic American dish involves chicken wings coated in a spicy sauce made from hot sauce, butter, and other seasonings. It is a popular bar food and game-day snack.Buffalo wings are a popular appetizer in America. They consist of chicken wings that are deep-fried until crispy and then coated in a tangy and spicy sauce. The wings are typically served with celery sticks and blue cheese dressing on the side.- Origin: Buffalo, New York
- Main Ingredient: Chicken wings
- Cooking Method: Deep-fried
- Sauce: Tangy and spicy
- Serving Style: With celery sticks and blue cheese dressing
Buffalo wings in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular appetizer in America
- Position 5 of 10 in Most popular type of fried chicken
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228votes
Steven G. Johnson · CC BY-SA 3.0This Chinese cuisine is known for its bold and spicy flavors, particularly the use of Szechuan peppercorns, chili peppers, and garlic. It is popular in Chinese restaurants around the world.Szechuan cuisine in other rankings- Position 7 of 10 in Most popular food in Vancouver
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325votesThis Korean dish is made from fermented vegetables, typically cabbage, and is seasoned with chili peppers and other spices. It is a staple in Korean cuisine and is enjoyed as a side dish or added to other dishes for flavor.Kimchi is a traditional Korean side dish made from fermented vegetables, most commonly napa cabbage and radishes. It has a spicy and tangy flavor and is a staple in Korean cuisine.
- Regional variations: Over 200 types of kimchi, including baechu kimchi (cabbage kimchi), dongchimi (radish water kimchi), kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi)
- Ingredients: Napa cabbage, radishes, garlic, ginger, scallions, red chili pepper powder (gochugaru), salt, and fermented seafood (optional)
- Fermentation period: Varies from a few days to several weeks
- Preparation time: Around 4-6 hours
- Health benefits: Rich in vitamins A and C, high in fiber, probiotic properties
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47votes
Biswarup Ganguly · CC BY 3.0Indian cuisine is known for its complex and spicy curries, which are made from a blend of spices, herbs, and chili peppers. Each region of India has its own unique curry dishes, such as tikka masala, vindaloo, and butter chicken.Indian curries are a diverse and popular type of spicy food that originate from the Indian subcontinent. They are known for their rich and complex flavors, fiery spices, and vibrant colors. Indian curries can be vegetarian or meat-based and are typically cooked in a sauce or gravy that is spiced with a variety of aromatic herbs and spices. They are often served with rice or bread, such as naan or roti.- Heat level: Varies from mild to extremely spicy
- Ingredients: Herbs, spices, vegetables, meat, or seafood
- Common spices: Turmeric, cumin, coriander, ginger, garlic, chili, cardamom
- Flavor profile: Complex, aromatic, and well-balanced
- Color: Ranges from yellow to deep red, depending on spices used
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59votes
Jon Sullivan · Public domainThis American appetizer involves stuffing jalapeno peppers with cheese and other ingredients, then deep-frying them. They are often served with a spicy dipping sauce.Jalapeno poppers are a popular spicy appetizer consisting of jalapeno peppers that are stuffed with a filling, generally cheese, breaded or wrapped in bacon, and then deep-fried until crispy. They are known for their combination of heat from the jalapeno peppers and the creamy, melted cheese filling.- Spiciness Level: Moderate to Hot
- Pepper Varieties: Jalapeno peppers
- Filling: Usually cheese, such as cheddar or cream cheese
- Coating: Breaded or wrapped in bacon
- Cooking Method: Deep-fried
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67votesThis Chinese dish involves cooking raw ingredients in a simmering pot of spicy broth, often made with chili peppers, Szechuan peppercorns, and other spices. It is a popular communal meal enjoyed with friends and family.Hot pot is a popular spicy food that originated in China. It is a communal dish where a simmering pot of spicy broth is placed at the center of the dining table. The pot is filled with a variety of ingredients, such as thinly sliced meat, seafood, vegetables, and noodles. Diners then cook these raw ingredients in the boiling broth, adding their desired spices and seasonings for flavor.
- Origin: China
- Serving Style: Communal
- Main Ingredients: Meat (e.g., beef, lamb), seafood (e.g., shrimp, fish balls), vegetables, noodles
- Broth: Spicy and flavorful, typically made with chili peppers, Sichuan peppercorns, and various herbs and spices
- Cooking Method: Ingredients cooked in the pot by diners at the table
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73votes
Takeaway · CC BY-SA 3.0This Thai dish is made from stir-fried noodles, vegetables, and protein, typically shrimp or chicken, and is seasoned with chili peppers, fish sauce, and other spices. It is a popular street food in Thailand and is enjoyed around the world.Pad Thai is a popular and beloved Thai dish that is renowned worldwide for its delicious flavors and unique combination of ingredients. It is a stir-fried rice noodle dish that is commonly enjoyed as a street food in Thailand and has gained immense popularity as a go-to comfort food. The dish typically combines thin rice noodles, protein (such as shrimp, chicken, or tofu), eggs, bean sprouts, green onions, peanuts, and a flavorful sauce that brings all the elements together. Pad Thai is known for its balance of sweet, sour, and savory flavors, which makes it irresistibly tasty.- Noodles: Thin rice noodles
- Protein: Shrimp, chicken, or tofu
- Vegetables: Bean sprouts, green onions
- Garnish: Crushed peanuts, lime wedges
- Sauce: Tamarind sauce, fish sauce, sugar
Pad Thai in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular Thai dish in America
- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular Asian dish
- Position 3 of 10 in Most popular food in Southeast Asia
- Position 8 of 10 in Most delicious recipe ever
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811votesThis Mexican dish involves marinated pork cooked on a spit, then sliced and served in a tortilla with onions, cilantro, and a spicy salsa. It is a popular street food in Mexico and is enjoyed in Mexican restaurants around the world.Tacos al pastor are a popular Mexican dish that originated in central Mexico. They are made with thin slices of marinated pork, typically cooked on a vertical rotisserie called a trompo. The pork is seasoned with a blend of spices and marinated in a mixture that includes achiote paste, pineapple, and various herbs and spices. The meat is then slowly cooked until tender and juicy. The cooked pork is thinly sliced and served on small tortillas, commonly accompanied by diced onions, cilantro, pineapple, and a squeeze of lime.
- Serving Style: Sliced pork on small tortillas
- Main Ingredient: Marinated pork
- Cooking Method: Vertical rotisserie
- Marinade Ingredients: Achiote paste, pineapple, herbs, and spices
- Common Toppings: Diced onions, cilantro, pineapple, and lime
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94votesThis Jamaican dish involves marinating chicken in a spicy blend of herbs and spices, including Scotch bonnet peppers, then grilling or roasting it. It is a popular dish in Jamaican cuisine and is enjoyed in Caribbean restaurants around the world.Jerk chicken is a traditional Jamaican dish known for its flavorful and spicy taste. It involves marinating chicken pieces in a jerk spice mixture, which typically includes ingredients such as scotch bonnet peppers, allspice, thyme, garlic, ginger, and green onions. The chicken is then grilled or smoked over pimento wood, which adds a distinct smoky flavor to the dish. Jerk chicken is commonly served with rice and peas, and often accompanied by a side of festival (a type of dumpling).
- Spicy Level: Medium to Hot
- Flavor Profile: Bold, savory, spicy, and smoky
- Main Ingredient: Chicken
- Marinade Ingredients: Scotch bonnet peppers, allspice, thyme, garlic, ginger, green onions
- Cooking Method: Grilling or smoking
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105votes
Takeaway · CC BY-SA 3.0Sriracha sauce
David TranThis Thai hot sauce is made from chili peppers, vinegar, garlic, and sugar, and has become a popular condiment around the world. It is often added to dishes for a spicy kick or used as a dipping sauce.Sriracha sauce is a hot sauce originating from Thailand, named after the coastal city of Si Racha. It is a popular condiment known for its spicy, tangy, and slightly sweet flavor.- Heat Level: Medium to Hot
- Ingredients: Chili peppers, vinegar, garlic, sugar, salt
- Color: Bright red
- Consistency: Smooth, thick
- Flavor Profile: Spicy, tangy, slightly sweet
Sriracha sauce in other rankings- Position 4 of 10 in Most delicious sauce
- Position 9 of 10 in Most popular dipping sauce for chicken wings
Missing your favorite spicy food?
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Discussion
Ranking factors for popular spicy food
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Scoville scaleThis is a measure of the heat level of peppers and spicy foods. The higher the Scoville score, the hotter the food.
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Cultural significanceCertain spicy foods may be more popular in certain regions or cultures due to traditional culinary practices.
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AvailabilitySpicy foods that are more widely available and accessible to consumers may tend to rank higher in popularity.
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Health benefitsSome spicy foods have health benefits such as helping with digestion, boosting metabolism, and providing antioxidants.
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VersatilitySpicy foods that can be used in a variety of dishes or cuisines may be more popular.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular spicy food. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or spice is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1711 views
- 162 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each spice once every 24 hours. The rank of each spice is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular spicy food
Spicy food has been a staple in many cultures for centuries. The heat of spices comes from compounds like capsaicin, which stimulates the pain receptors in your mouth and creates a burning sensation. Despite the discomfort, many people enjoy the rush of heat that comes with spicy food. In fact, some studies suggest that consuming spicy food can have health benefits, such as reducing inflammation and aiding digestion. With so many different types of spicy cuisine around the world, it's no wonder that there are countless debates over what the most popular spicy food is. From Indian curries to Mexican salsas, the possibilities are endless. So, what is your favorite spicy dish? Let's find out by checking out the top contenders on StrawPoll!
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