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Vieng Thai
Vieng Thai
Photo: Google

Houston's 10 Spiciest Dishes, According to You

by Darla Guillen
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Vieng Thai
| Photo: Google
by Darla Guillen

The only time some locals might opt for a sweat-inducing dish in these oppressive summer temps is when they're handed a menu at Vieng Thai (or when there's a frozen margarita nearby to quell the heat). And there are plenty of other addictive local bites that don't necessitate an ounce of Tabasco, Valentina or Sriracha. Because good spicy dishes abound in Houston, and since we're a population of eaters that will add hot sauce to an habanero-topped burger, last week Eater asked you: What are Houston's spiciest dishes? The answers we received were as diverse as the local food scene, with Thai, Nigerian and Mexican joints rounding this list.

Comment here, Tweet us or hit the tipline if there are some good places that should be added to the map. Below is the map of sinus-clearing dishes to try in Houston:

· All Other Eater Guides [-EHOU-]

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Himalaya Restaurant

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Local food writer Nick Hall says, "I'd put the hara masala at Himalaya on that list." We agree, the intensely spicy green sauce is tempered with a little yogurt but still packs a serious kick. Owner Kaiser Lashkari tells Eater it's made with "jalapeños, a touch of Thai peppers, lemon peel, garam masala, freshly ground ginger and garlic paste."
6652 Southwest Fwy, Houston, TX 77074
(713) 532-2837
(713) 532-2837

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Vieng Thai

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Several locals chimed in with this personal favorite. A commenter writes: "Vieng Thai is authentic, it's the real deal. Papaya Salad is fantastic, spicy but flavorful."
6929 Long Point Rd, Houston, TX 77055
(713) 688-9910
(713) 688-9910

Also featured in:

The Original Ninfa's on Navigation

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This Houston staple churns out some of the best margaritas and Mexican fare in the city. Reader Nina C. says to order the chiles toreados (not on the menu) to add heat to any of the dishes.
2704 Navigation Blvd, Houston, TX 77003
(713) 228-1171
(713) 228-1171

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Safari Restaurant

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Reader Isaac U. tells us the pepper soup with goat meat here had him "in tears." Filled with ground pepper powder, this classic stew is hearty and is often served with fish or oxtail at its base.
10014 Bissonnet St, Houston, TX
(713) 541-4436
(713) 541-4436

Also featured in:

Thai Gourmet

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Peyton Hill says, "Anything 'native Thai hot' at Thai Gourmet." With varying levels of spiciness, hot food addicts would be remiss to order anything less than this restaurant's No. 5 level of heat.
6324 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77057
(713) 780-7955
(713) 780-7955

Also featured in:

Asia Market

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Tom Williams Tweeted us that the pad ka-prao noodles here in "1000 chili hot" are among his fiery favorites.
1010 W Cavalcade St Ste D, Houston, TX 77022
(713) 863-7074
(713) 863-7074

Lankford Grocery & Market

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Commenter Fuzr writes: "Firehouse burger at Lankford Grocery & Market. The habanero paste makes the jalapeños too much to bear!"
88 Dennis St, Houston, TX 77006
(713) 522-9555
(713) 522-9555

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88 Boiling Crawfish & Seafood

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Crawfish season may be over, but reader Cuc Lam still recommends the "88 Special Extra Spicy seasoning" here, which she says is "ridonkulous and yummy!"
1910 Wilcrest Drive, Houston, TX 77042
(713) 789-8288
(713) 789-8288

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Bon Ga Korean Restaurant

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Reader Amy S. emailed us that she satisfies her craving for spicy Korean food here with the "super hot daeji bulgogi, and it's even hotter with their special sauce."
9861 Long Point Rd, Houston, TX 77055
(713) 461-5265
(713) 461-5265

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Mala Sichuan Bistro

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True to its name, this Chinatown Sichuan hot spot got a few nods thanks to the spicy water-boiled fish. The hot red chili oil chicken, tofu or bamboo shoots are also tongue-numbingly hot.
9348 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, TX 77036
(713) 995-1889
(713) 995-1889

Also featured in:

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Himalaya Restaurant

6652 Southwest Fwy, Houston, TX 77074
Local food writer Nick Hall says, "I'd put the hara masala at Himalaya on that list." We agree, the intensely spicy green sauce is tempered with a little yogurt but still packs a serious kick. Owner Kaiser Lashkari tells Eater it's made with "jalapeños, a touch of Thai peppers, lemon peel, garam masala, freshly ground ginger and garlic paste."
6652 Southwest Fwy, Houston, TX 77074
(713) 532-2837
(713) 532-2837

Vieng Thai

6929 Long Point Rd, Houston, TX 77055
Several locals chimed in with this personal favorite. A commenter writes: "Vieng Thai is authentic, it's the real deal. Papaya Salad is fantastic, spicy but flavorful."
6929 Long Point Rd, Houston, TX 77055
(713) 688-9910
(713) 688-9910

The Original Ninfa's on Navigation

2704 Navigation Blvd, Houston, TX 77003
This Houston staple churns out some of the best margaritas and Mexican fare in the city. Reader Nina C. says to order the chiles toreados (not on the menu) to add heat to any of the dishes.
2704 Navigation Blvd, Houston, TX 77003
(713) 228-1171
(713) 228-1171

Safari Restaurant

10014 Bissonnet St, Houston, TX
Reader Isaac U. tells us the pepper soup with goat meat here had him "in tears." Filled with ground pepper powder, this classic stew is hearty and is often served with fish or oxtail at its base.
10014 Bissonnet St, Houston, TX
(713) 541-4436
(713) 541-4436

Thai Gourmet

6324 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77057
Peyton Hill says, "Anything 'native Thai hot' at Thai Gourmet." With varying levels of spiciness, hot food addicts would be remiss to order anything less than this restaurant's No. 5 level of heat.
6324 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77057
(713) 780-7955
(713) 780-7955

Asia Market

1010 W Cavalcade St Ste D, Houston, TX 77022
Tom Williams Tweeted us that the pad ka-prao noodles here in "1000 chili hot" are among his fiery favorites.
1010 W Cavalcade St Ste D, Houston, TX 77022
(713) 863-7074
(713) 863-7074

Lankford Grocery & Market

88 Dennis St, Houston, TX 77006
Commenter Fuzr writes: "Firehouse burger at Lankford Grocery & Market. The habanero paste makes the jalapeños too much to bear!"
88 Dennis St, Houston, TX 77006
(713) 522-9555
(713) 522-9555

88 Boiling Crawfish & Seafood

1910 Wilcrest Drive, Houston, TX 77042
Crawfish season may be over, but reader Cuc Lam still recommends the "88 Special Extra Spicy seasoning" here, which she says is "ridonkulous and yummy!"
1910 Wilcrest Drive, Houston, TX 77042
(713) 789-8288
(713) 789-8288

Bon Ga Korean Restaurant

9861 Long Point Rd, Houston, TX 77055
Reader Amy S. emailed us that she satisfies her craving for spicy Korean food here with the "super hot daeji bulgogi, and it's even hotter with their special sauce."
9861 Long Point Rd, Houston, TX 77055
(713) 461-5265
(713) 461-5265

Mala Sichuan Bistro

9348 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, TX 77036
True to its name, this Chinatown Sichuan hot spot got a few nods thanks to the spicy water-boiled fish. The hot red chili oil chicken, tofu or bamboo shoots are also tongue-numbingly hot.
9348 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, TX 77036
(713) 995-1889
(713) 995-1889

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