Spicy Chinese dishes: 15 fiery foods to look out for in China

Do you enjoy sweating when you eat? And do you like the feeling that your tongue is on fire?

If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, then you’re going to love eating spicy Chinese food!

I have to admit that I’m a bit of a coward when it comes to hot food. But I’m also the type to try anything once (I think that’s what got me over to China in the first place).

So, let’s take a look at spicy Chinese food starting with 15 of the best dishes you should try.

The best spicy Chinese dishes to try

If you’re ready to set your tastebuds on fire, then here’s a list of what to eat in China.

To help you decide what to order, I’ve included a spice rating for each dish:

• 🌶️🌶️ Medium – noticeably spicy
• 🌶️🌶️🌶️ Hot – expect a good kick
• 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Very Hot – only for regular spice eaters.

1. Hotpot

Hotpot is typically fire-engine red. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.

• Chinese name: 火锅 (Huǒguō)
• Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Hotpot can be found everywhere in China. The spiciest hotpot comes from Chongqing and if you can stand the heat, it’s surprisingly tasty.

You’ll need to go to a restaurant in a group, as eating hotpot is a shared experience. Basically, you and your friends dip your favorite raw meats, seafood, tofu and vegetables into a bubbling pot until they’re cooked all the way through.

Don’t worry if the broth is so red that it looks like flames. It’s supposed to look like that! But you can choose to have a separated, non-spicy hotpot cooking at the same time if you can’t handle chili.

When I was in China, this is one of the hottest dishes I tried. After a few mouthfuls, I thought I was going to die!

I didn’t of course, but it taught me to be more careful about what I ate if I wanted to keep the skin on my tongue.

2. Mapo tofu

Mapo tofu is the classic spicy dish. Image by Momo2050 on Shutterstock.

• Chinese name: 麻婆豆腐 (Má pó dòufu)
• Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Hailing from Sichuan (also known as Szechuan) province, mapo tofu is made with tofu, ground pork, a spicy bean chili sauce and Sichuan peppercorns.

It’s this last ingredient that really gives the dish it’s punch and you’ll need a fireproof mouth to enjoy this dish when it’s made properly.

The minced meat is so fine that you can’t really see it. So, when trying this dish for the first time, don’t be fooled thinking it’s just tofu and therefore vegetarian.

3. Hot and sour glass noodles

Don’t let the color of these noodles fool you. Image by Sumeth Anu on Shutterstock.

• Chinese name: 酸辣粉 (Suān là fěn)
• Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

This spicy snack is from Chongqing and it’s one of the cheapest entries on this list.

It’s made of sweet potato flour glass noodles in a soup of soybeans, vinegar, chili paste, and chili oil.

You can enjoy this dish at markets all over China. I must admit that I tried this a few times!

4. Dan dan noodles

The Chinese love their spicy noodles. Image by Chevy Wan on Shutterstock.

• Chinese name: 担担面 (Dàndàn miàn)
• Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Authentic dan dan noodles are made with ground pork, raw garlic, ground peanuts, and a searingly hot chili black bean paste.

The name dan dan comes from the Mandarin expression ‘biǎn dān’ (扁担) which means ‘carrying pole’. In ancient China, vendors carried the noodles on poles and then sold them on the street.

There are different variations of dan dan noodles, depending on where you go in China. Some people think the best ones can be found in Chengdu in Sichuan province, where they were first invented.

5. Saliva chicken

This chicken dish sits in a spicy broth. Image by Bonchan on Shutterstock.

• Chinese name: 口水鸡 (Kǒushuǐ jī)
• Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

This spicy Chinese food has a slightly unappetizing name that came about because of the tastiness of the dish.

It’s boiled chicken in a chili and sesame oil sauce that contains 10 spices and sauces.

Even for me, this dish was tasty, though I wasn’t sure if I’d actually survive eating it!

See also: Chinese food that some people find disgusting

6. Er kuai spicy chicken

A woman in Yunnan butchering a chicken. Image by Bisual Photo on Shutterstock.

• Chinese name: 饵块鸡 (Ěr kuài jī)
• Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

If you go to Yunnan province, then you can try these savory rice cakes that are steamed and stir fried with chili peppers and deep-fried chicken.

This might sound a bit odd and not many people outside of the province have tried it, but the result is incredibly tasty, if shockingly spicy at the same time.

7. Gan guo

Dry pot (gan guo) pork intestines. Image by Food Shop on Shutterstock.

• Chinese name: 干锅 (Gān guō)
• Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Originating in Hunan province, you can personalize this dish to suit your own tastes.

All you do is choose your meat, tofu, and vegetables and the dish is brought to your table, spiced with ginger, garlic, scallions, and red and green chili peppers.

This is one of the hottest dishes around and it’s far less oily than some of the spicy dishes you’ll find in Sichuan. So, it might suit your tastes better if oil upsets your stomach.

8. Red braised pork

This famous dish can be made super spicy. Image by Yuda Chen on Shutterstock.

• Chinese name: 红烧肉 (Hóngshāo ròu)
• Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️

This dish was allegedly a favorite of Chairman Mao, so there are strict rules about how it’s made and what it contains.

It’s from Hunan province and features red braised pork. But don’t expect this version to be like the braised pork in other parts of China, because it’s actually a celebration of the locals’ love of chillis.

9. Hot and sour fish soup

Could you handle this spicy soup? Image by Leungchopan on Shutterstock.

• Chinese name: 酸辣鱼汤 (Suān là yú tang)
• Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

This is one of the more obscure dishes and originated in southern Guizhou province (you can get a summary of every Chinese province here).

It’s a delicious fish with broth made from chili oil, tomatoes, and local red chili peppers, and it actually contains some local fermented vegetables for an added health kick.

10. Hunan spicy beef

Hunan is known for its spicy food. Image by Xiaoxiao9119 on Shutterstock.

• Chinese name: 湖南香辣牛肉 (Húnán xiāng là niúròu)
• Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Hunan province is the second largest beef supplier in China, so of course it has a spicy beef dish.

Hunan spicy beef is stir-fried with fresh and deep-fried chili peppers and it’s deliciously tender and burns all the way down.

11. Steamed fish head with chili

This dish looks at you while you’re eating! Image by Bonchan on Shutterstock.

• Chinese name: 剁椒鱼头 (Duò jiāo yú tóu)
• Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

This is a slightly odd entry and to be honest, I couldn’t stomach it myself, mostly because I don’t like my food to stare at me accusingly while I’m eating it.

‘Duo jiao yu tou’ originated in Hunan province and features lots of chili in a steamed fish head.

In China, the locals pride themselves on eating almost all the parts of animals that can be eaten, and this dish is a good example of that philosophy.

12. Kung pao chicken

Kung pao chicken (middle) is famous around the world. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.

• Chinese name: 宫保鸡丁 (Gōng bǎo jī ding)
• Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️

A tourist’s favorite because it’s often found in Chinese restaurants overseas, kung pao chicken will make you sweat if you eat all the chilis on the plate.

But if you’re a master of chopsticks, you’ll easily be able to separate the chicken from the chili, giving the dish less sizzle. This is something I did a lot of the time while I was in China!

If you’re ordering this food in China, the locals won’t understand you if you say you want “kung pao” chicken. In Mandarin, it’s actually “gōng bǎo” chicken or “gōng bǎo jī ding / 宫保鸡丁” in full.

See also: How to learn basic Mandarin

13. Liangpi

The hot dish that’s actually cold. Image by Natural_p on Shutterstock.

• Chinese name: 凉皮 (Liángpí)
• Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

This is a cold dish that packs a punch.

It’s from Shaanxi in the country’s west, and boasts thick noodles, flowers, and cucumber slices with lots of chili.

It’s often eaten with flat pork buns and makes a nice change from the other spicy Chinese food on this list.

14. Smashed peppers with century egg

The famous Chinese century egg. Image by RDNE Stock project on Pexels.

• Chinese name: 擂辣椒皮蛋 (Léi làjiāo pídàn)
• Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Smashed peppers with century egg is a classic Hunanese dish and a well-known staple of Hunan home cooking and restaurants.

I’ll fill you in on a secret – China’s famous century eggs are not 100 years old. They are a preserved delicacy though.

When the creamy egg flavor is combined with hot peppers, as well as ingredients like soy sauce, vinegar, garlic and sesame oil, you get a spicy salad-like dish that’s unique to Asia.

15. Fried potato with cumin

This one is simple, tasty and great for vegetarians. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.

• Chinese name: 孜然土豆 (Zī rán tǔdòu)
• Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️

I’m going to finish this list with one of my all-time faves: Chinese cumin potatoes.

This is a popular Northwest Chinese street food, but you can find it in restaurants too.

The dish simply consists of crispy-skinned potatoes tossed in a fragrant mix of cumin and other spices.

It is oh-so-delicious, and a great starting point if you’re a bit wary of spicy food.

How to survive spicy Chinese food

Have your glass of milk tea ready! Image by Makafood on Pexels.

If you’ve never eaten much spicy food before, don’t jump straight into eating the hottest Chinese dish imaginable. The burning tongue is just the start and is often followed by sweating, tears, bloating, and even more unpleasant symptoms.

You’ll need to build your tolerance to eat spicy food in China. Add more spice to your food gradually and before you know it, you’ll be ready to try the hottest Chinese food.

If you do go overboard on the spice, then here are some tips that will help cool your mouth down while you’re eating your meal or after:

• Drink some milk, which helps to wash away the spice molecules
• Don’t drink water, as it will just move the spice molecules around in your mouth
• Stay away from alcohol, as it doesn’t dull the pain as much as you might think unless you drink buckets of it
• Eat a piece of bread, as the carbs act as a barrier between your body tissues and the spice
• Drink something acidic like lemonade or orange juice, as it will help balance the alkaline spices.

Where is the spiciest food in China?

China has a variety of regional cuisines, some of them hot enough to burn the lining off your stomach.

Here are the best areas in China to visit if you want to try spicy food:

• Sichuan province (or Szechuan), known for its pandas as well as its spicy food
• Chongqing, a megacity that’s surrounded by Sichuan
• Hunan province, where you can see the early home of Chairman Mao
• Guizhou province, known for its ethnic minorities and culture
• Shaanxi province, particularly in the Guanzhong area where they say that “three chilis can be a meal”.

The dishes you can find in these areas are often vastly different from each other, which gives you a lot of choice when you’re exploring.

Is Chinese food always spicy?

Sometimes I like my mapo tofu without the minced meat. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.

No. So don’t stress about food on your trip to China!

Some of the most famous Chinese cuisines are not spicy at all, including:

• Cantonese – the food in Guangdong and Hong Kong, which is sweet and fragrant
• Jiangsu and Zhejiang – milder food found in the provinces near Shanghai
• Beijing – while you can still find hot food in the capital, it’s more about carbs and oily goodness.

If you’re traveling in a not-so-spicy region, you’ll still be able to find a pot of chili sauce and vinegar on virtually every restaurant table.

Spice up your life! Why eat spicy Chinese food

A little science lesson: the compound that gives chilies their heat, capsaicin, stimulates the nerves in your mouth, creating that familiar burning sensation.

In response, your body releases dopamine and endorphins, giving you a natural feel-good rush.

Combined with the bold flavors and aromas, this is what makes the experience of eating spicy Chinese food so damn good.

How to order less spicy food in China

Can’t handle the hot stuff?

All you need to say is “Bù yào là” (不要辣). It means “I don’t want chili”.

Just be warned though – in many restaurants the food may still have some kick, even if you ask the waiter (fúwùyuán) to go easy on the chili.

Some Chinese dishes are just meant to be spicy, regardless.

Here are some useful expressions if you want to mix things up:

• 不辣 (bú là) — not spicy
• 微辣 (wēi là) — mildly spicy
• 少辣 (shǎo là) — less spicy
• 中辣 (zhōng là) — medium spice
• 特辣 (tè là) — extra spicy

Don’t forget your eSM and VPN

If you’re headed for China soon, you will need an eSIM so you can:

• Pay electronically using Alipay or WeChat Pay
• Navigate using online maps
• Keep in touch when you’re out and about

I also recommend a standalone VPN for extra security, which you can use in your hotel room (via wi-fi) for things like:

• Online banking
• Private messaging
• Accessing websites the eSIM doesn’t allow

Visit this page for eSIM and this page for VPN – the recommendations are tried and tested in China.

Spicy Chinese food: the takeaway

Traveling is all about challenging yourself in every way, and doing new things. This should include trying new foods as well.

Although hotpot is the most famous and popular spicy Chinese food, you might want to start small and order something else if you’re a newbie to the spice scene.

But if you’re a spicy food veteran, then don’t be afraid to dig in to all of China’s hottest dishes. Enjoy!

Eating too much chili in China might upset your stomach, so it’s best you read my article on surviving Chinese squat toilets.

Main image credit: Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.

Keep discovering Chinese cuisine

You’re going to love eating authentic Chinese cuisine:

• Popular foods from China
• Best Chinese street food
• Delicious Chinese dumplings

Or check out the Chinese food blog for more tasty articles!

FAQ about spicy Chinese food