In our quest to bring you the best grub in London, we set out to find the mightiest, spiciest dishes in town this month.
Yes, spicy food can be found anywhere. But these are the joints where you’ll feel truly violated by the heat. The things we do for our craft.
The science behind why spice is nice is cool - capsaicin is the chemical within chillies. As soon as that bad boy hits your tongue, your brain registers this as pain. And when you’re in pain, you naturally produce endorphins to counter it. So pain is pleasure.
Endorphins are also released when you exercise. Want to feel good? Go for a long run or have dinner at one of the places below. Both will have you walking funny the next day.
What to do with spice: you’ll be drawn to liquid. You’ll beg for water. You may even ask someone to spit in your mouth. Capsaicin is soluble in fat, alcohol, and sugar. So have some rice, milk, or a shot (the good stuff, not beer or wine).
The Massamen Challenge
We were ecstatic to hear that some have been inspired by our Asian day out edition and recreated it. So we’re making the Massamen challenge official - send us pics of your day out and we’ll feature the good ones. If you do more than 8 places in a day, definitely let us know - that’s our current record. Email us: food@themassamen.com
And as always, tell your friends and they can subscribe here:
On with it.
101 Thai Kitchen
Rating: 8x🇹🇭
Price: ££
Address: 352 King St, Hammersmith, London W6 0RX
You might think 101 Thai Kitchen could do with a lick of paint when you go in, and you’ll notice the pictures of the royal family (theirs, not ours) on the wall and the TV showing Thai Masterchef. All part of its charm.
For all its rough and readiness, the food is bang tidy. It’s North-Eastern Thai, which apparently is known for packing a punch in the spice department. In particular, the Kua Gling is more traumatic than watching The Ring.
But it’s all delicious.
Ultimate destruction menu:
Kua Gling (minced chicken with chilli)
Screaming nun (deep friend aubergines) - ironically not that spicy, making us wonder what she’s screaming about
Isarn sausage
Their very reasonably priced house white
Sambal Shiok
Rating: 9x💩
Price: ££
Address: 171 Holloway Rd, London N7 8LX
This Laksa bar is our favourite of this edition. Laksa = shrimp-based noodle soup, and Sambal Shiok practise Nyonya cooking (which is a mix of Malay and Chinese styles).
Don’t piss about with the rice dishes - the laksa is where it’s at. And make sure to get some Malaysian Fried Chicken as a starter - a must if you’re a fried chicken connoisseur.
Get home quick. One of us had a bit of a Bridesmaids moment on the way back.
Our picks:
Malaysian fried chicken
Prawn Laksa
Bali Bali
Rating: 8.5x♨️
Price: ££
Address: 150 Shaftesbury Ave, London WC2H 8HL
We have it on good authority that this is the only good Indonesian restaurant in London. If you like Malaysian food (see Sambal Shiok and Roti King), then you’ll probably like this too.
The lamb chops in particular are reasonably punishing - if you’re looking for something a bit milder, the Rendang and the Martabak are the way to go.
Feast-style:
Kambing Masak Pedas (Lamb chops)
Sambal Goreng Terong (Aubergine)
Beef Rendang
Dendeng (Beef)
Martabak Udang (Prawn patties)
Perkedel Jagung (Corn fritters)
Shuang Shuang
Rating: 8 x🍲
Price: £££
Address: 64 Shaftesbury Ave, London W1D 6LU
This place is absolutely jokes. It’s like Yo Sushi but hotpot - and will have you fearing flatulence the next day.
Tucked away above a Japanese fast-food joint on Shaftesbury Ave., you sit in front of a conveyor belt of dishes with your individual hotpot. Choose your broth and then pick your dishes zooming past you. If you’re not having the Mala broth, add meat early on - helps with the flavour 💁♂️
Also, the food’s excellent.
Our favs:
Mala broth (scary when they bring it, but worth it)
House Pork & Prawn Ball
House Prawn Ball
Marinated Beef Rump
Some veg and noodles to fill it out
Don’t forget dipping sauces - house sauce & hot and sour sauce are the ones.
Honourable Mentions:
Farang, The Jackalope, Tian Fu, Ho Ja, and Kati Roll Company all keep it toight when it comes to spice.
That’s all. We’ve never wanted to invest in a bidet so much.
Happy Xmas, NY etc.
The Massamen
Written over one shared tinny of Stella in front of LOTR.