Frequently asked question: Favorite hot and spicy dish?

[Robin Garr]

Okay, we do this fairly often, but it's a moving target, so for a coming article, I'd like to fashion a new list: What currently are the most exciting, enticing, burn-your-mouth hot and spicy restaurant dishes around town, and who makes them? Vietnam Kitchen and Sala Thai are always in the running here, but let's hear your favorites, in as much specificity and detail as possible.

Vietnam Kitchen - I can't recall the name of the dish, it's K8 on the menu. Unfortuntaly due to recent stomach problems the wife has barred this from my consumption.

Although not too dangerous, the hot and sour soup at August Moon is my favorite soup in Louisville.

Last batch of tofu and veggies at August Moon was unbelievably hot. HUGE red pepper flakes. My mouth and lips swelled. Next time I'll ask for it milder, but if it happens again, I'm not returning!

I love the Firecracker Chicken at Yang Kee Noodle. Delicious, and lip numbing!

I am never satiated in my quest for hot food. Everything falls short. Shalimar has gotten better with my requests just on that fact that they see me regularly now and know that I keep asking for it hotter than the time before.

Yankee Noodle's "Island Green Curry" (but you have to ask them to make it the way they originally did, since they greatly reduced the heat in recent days)

Not very specific, and I don't know how helpful this would be for your article, but I started asking for a cup of 'hot' at Thai and Chinese places. It's typically a cup of the hot chili paste that they add to change one star to ten, and I can adjust it myself. I have literally burned myself more times than once by being a little too zealous, but it's a great way to get the heat you want that many places think you can't handle. (and sometimes, I can't! )

Not very specific, and I don't know how helpful this would be for your article, but I started asking for a cup of 'hot' at Thai and Chinese places. It's typically a cup of the hot chili paste that they add to change one star to ten, and I can adjust it myself. I have literally burned myself more times than once by being a little too zealous, but it's a great way to get the heat you want that many places think you can't handle. (and sometimes, I can't! )

I always ask for extra chili oil at August Moon. Hot... hot ... hot ...

Hieu tieu sate at Vietnam Kitchen.
Laab (thai spicy) at Sala Thai. (it will make you cry)

[Robin Garr]

Hieu tieu sate at Vietnam Kitchen.

Do you know if that is the K8 that Aaron mentioned?

Laab (thai spicy) at Sala Thai. (it will make you cry)

Noted, but I've never been very successful at convincing the waitstaff at Sala Thai that I really mean "Thai hot."

The Hot & Sour soup at the now closed Kim's was my favorite. I did try the Gazpacho at Cumberland Brews the other day. It didn't get kicking until half-way through the cup. I actually asked the bartender if she was sure it was the same stuff Marty wrote of. She assured me it was. Nice long slow burn and very tasty.