13 Cuisines That'll Make You Sweat at Our Hot & Spicy Festival

Tom A. theBeijinger

So far in the lead up to our inaugural Hot & Spicy Festival at Galaxy Soho on Apr 14-15, we've looked back at the event's humble beginnings, some style tips for what you might like to wear during the weekend, and even an entire magazine dedicated to the joys of spicy food in the capital. Now, however, it's time to focus on the food that will lure the crowds courtesy of their swift chili and endorphin hit.

This spring's event will act as a showcase for some of the city's top F&B vendors to test just how hot you like it, making dishes specifically to put Beijing's chiliheads through their paces. With now over 40 food vendors on board representing local delicacies of China as well as the world, it's time to take a closer look at just what they intend to light your taste buds on fire with in 20 days' time. (For those of you who are spice-aversed, do not fear as there will be non-spicy menu items, too.)

Regional cuisine of Yunnan

Representative restaurant: XBEK
Special Dishes: Tilapia, Shiping tofu
Heat index: 4/5 chilies

Regional cuisine of Sichuan

Representative restaurant: Ci · Dongwai Xiaoguan
Special dishes: Spicy crayfish
Heat index: 3/5 chilies

Representative restaurant: Fat Girl Noodles
Special dishes: Noodles with pea and meat paste
Heat index: 3/5 chilies

Representative restaurant: Panda Brewing
Special dishes: Pulled pork burger, spicy hot pot
Heat index: 3/5 chilies

Representative restaurant: VSports
Special dishes: Signature Sichuan pork chops, spicy beef cheese bread
Heat index: 3/5 chilies

Representative restaurant: Punk Rock Noodles
Special dishes: Broiled lamb, Sichuan-style sirloin, and chicken-chili sauce
Heat index: 3/5 chilies

Other Chinese regional cuisine

Representative restaurant: LUMEIMEI
Special dishes: Duck heads, duck feet, quail eggs
Heat index: 2 stars

Regional cuisine of India

Representative restaurant: Punjabi Indian Restaurant and Cultural Center
Special dishes: "Chicken 65", chili bhajjia
Heat index: 4/5 chilies

Regional cuisine of the United States

Representative restaurant: The Boiling Pot Cajun Louisiana Seafood
Special dishes: Spicy seafood mix
Heat index: 2-4/5 chilies

Representative Restaurant: Flora Steak and Bar
Special dishes: Spicy beef soup, spicy chicken wings
Heat index: 3/5 chilies

Regional cuisine of Mexico

Representative restaurant: Legend Beer
Special dishes: Spicy pizza and hot dogs
Heat index: 3/5 chilies

Regional cuisine of Georgia

Representative restaurant: Georgia's Feast Restaurant and Bar
Special dishes: Kharcho (traditional Georgian beef soup), khinkali (Georgian dumplings)
Heat index: 2/5 chilies

Regional cuisine of Japan

Representative restaurant: Hatsune
Special dishes: Spicy tuna hand rolls, spicy edamame
Heat index: 2/5 chilies

If that has got you salivating and a strong urge to eat spicy foods of the world, scan the QR code below to secure your tickets for our Apr 14-15 Hot & Spicy Festival at Galaxy Soho (11am-8pm). As well as your free Beijinger-branded bandana if you purchase advance tickets (RMB 20), here's a reminder of what else will be packed into the two-day fest:

Forty of Beijing's top food and beverage purveyors, complete with their fieriest chili-infused grub and burn-placating drinks (see here for the list of vendors as it currently stands)
Live music, DJs, and entertainment in the form of dances, performances, and interactive games
Our Eighth Hot Chili Pepper Eating Competition (more info on how to take part here)

Scan to buy tickets in English

Scan to buy tickets in Chinese

Watch this space for even spicier content as we approach the big weekend!

Images courtesy of the venues