The heat is on: Superbly spicy dishes in Calgary

There’s something weirdly satisfying about sweating your way through a meal so spicy hot it requires the accompaniment of a towel and a pitcher of water to consume. Here are a few particularly delicious meals hot enough to earn you the bragging rights of a fire-eater.

The heat is on: Superbly spicy dishes in Calgary
Ian Doig By

Thai Sa-On Restaurant

1
351 10 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2R 0A5

The curry dishes at this pint-sized restaurant deliver all the kick of a Thai boxing match. You’ll savour the punch of pad phet kai, a red-curry chicken dish made with veggies and coconut milk. And the pad hoi ma lang pu is a knockout with its stir-fried mussels cooked with roasted chili paste, basil and veggies.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Añejo Restaurant

2
2116 4th Street SW #2, Calgary, AB T2S 1W7

A critically acclaimed contemporary Mexican spot on Fourth Street’s restaurant row, spices figure prominently in Anejo’s fresh and fun cuisine. But if it’s hot you want, order multiple tacos featuring fillings from adobo pork to wild mushroom and experiment with a long list of accompanying salsas and hot sauces.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Delicious Country Ltd

3
104-303 Centre St SW, Calgary, AB T2G 2B9

This petite Chinatown eatery doesn’t shy away from the hot stuff. For example, its largely Szechuan menu features a mighty mean mapo tofu, a fantastically aromatic chili-and-tofu dish.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Don Day

4
101-909 7 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2P 1A6

An authentic Korean hideaway on downtown Calgary’s west side, Don Day doesn’t go easy on the go chu jang (red pepper paste), which is the Old Country’s signature spicy sauce. Order a Korean ale, and try the stir-fried squid, a dish swimming in the tasty stuff.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Tamarind East Indian Restaurant Inc

5
610-1110 Panatella Blvd NW, Calgary, AB T3K 0S6

Another highly rated Indian spot, Tamarind also serves a mouth-melting vindaloo selection. Also try one of its Chinese-Indian fusion dishes such as chili chicken. Request full heat (it’s normally served medium) and pair with chow mein noodles.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:
More from Ian Doig Ian Doig
Ian Doig’s week may include dim sum lunch with friends, rummaging through indie bookstore shelves as well as scribbling in his notepad at Calgary shops and farmers’ markets. It most often concludes with a relaxing Friday evening pint of locally brewed craft beer.
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