The World’s Hottest Curry at Zouk

What Is The World's Hottest Curry

This February 26th Zouk is recreating its' famous World’s Hottest Curry. It’s part of the restaurant’s celebration of National Chilli Day.  Featuring the World’s Hottest Chilli (according to the Guinness Book of records) the star of the show, The Carolina Reaper. The Carolina Reaper Karahi (available in Chicken £15.95, panner £14.95 and Veg £14.95) will be on sale Thursday 26th February as a special. Check out our National Chilli Day Blog for details of all the dishes available. If you love chilli then be sure to book your table and give the challenge a try.

The Carolina Reaper Karahi comes with a warning. This super hot dish is not for everyone. Renowned for being the hottest curry in the world and as an annual traditional we have our chilli challenge at the restaurant with prizes for those bold enough to take this fiery karahi on.

Our World's Hottest Curry Challenge

Knowing the Reaper is officially the world’s hottest chilli, it may not surprise you to learn from the chefs that even cooking this curry is a bit of a challenge. 

Owner Tayub Amjad commented ‘The chillies are so hot that the chefs must be careful when handling them. You can feel them on your hands and stinging your eyes. The heat really is intense so we always have goggles and gloves on hand. Last year only about 16 people completed the challenge and beat the reaper so although we can't wait to see who takes the challenge on in 2026.'

Tayub added 'Our National Chilli Day specials will be available for one day only this year. Chillies add heaps of flavour to dishes not just heat so if the Reaper Challenge is not your thing but you love chilli; then there are lots of other dishes on our menu that celebrate chillies in all their forms.'

The Caroline Reaper Karahi - The World's Hottest Curry

When considering what dish should feature the Carolina Reaper Chilli, Zouk decided on its popular and much-loved karahi. This traditional dish originates from the Northwest region of Pakistan. Named karahi after the pan it is cooked in. This curry is cooked in a wok over hot flames with tomatoes, ginger, garlic, peppercorns and cumin forming the curry’s base. The dish can be cooked with chicken, lamb, seafood or vegetables however, for the Carolina Reaper Karahi, Zouk uses chicken, paneer or vegetables. The curries include dried Carolina Reaper chillies, Carolina Reaper Chilli Powder and Carolina Reaper Chilli paste. They may look innocent, but beware these dishes have more than a little bite!

Chicken Carolina Reaper Karahi

The Carolina Reaper Seekh Kebab

The Challenge 

On Thursday 26th February, which is officially National Chilli Day, we have created a special challenge for those bold enough to take on the Reaper. Be warned this challenge is not for the fainthearted – nor would it be recommended for anybody with a sensitive stomach! Dishes featuring the Carolina Reaper are fiery hot. The curry has even been described as ‘like eating molten lava’!

So, if you manage to complete the curry we have a lovely gift card prize to be enjoyed at a later date at our Manchester restaurant. We want to offer a little reward for those of strong stomach and mind. Basically, in our humble opinion anybody tough enough to go the distance and finish these beastly curries and kebabs in one sitting deserves a prize! There is also a special Chilli Margarita for guests to enjoy although this is made with milder fresh chillies.

Here’s the deal…

Finish the full Carolina Reaper Curry (either chicken, paneer or veg) in one sitting (max eating time 30 minutes and no helping from companions) then you will not only get your reaper on Zouk, but you will also win a Zouk Gift Card for £10, £50 or £100 (depending on if you have the kebab, the curry or both) to be redeemed on a future date. This is a very different kind of feast but gives you chance to indulge in some of Zouk’s more friendly fare. 

Anybody who finishes one of these challenges will also get a Zouk Ice Cream Sundae to help cool off those tastebuds too! Zouk believe this to be the World’s Hottest Curry, if you fancy putting it and yourself to the test, make a booking now and embrace National Chilli Days Biggest Challenge.

Terms & Conditions

The Carolina Reaper Chicken Karahi is £15.95 while The Caroline Reaper Paneer and Veg Karahi's are £14.95. Both dishes are available from 12-4pm and 8-10:30pm on Thursday 26th February at Zouk Tea Bar & Grill Manchester. Please note the actual chilli challenge and chance to win a prize takes place at these specific times this year on Thursday 26th February only!

These dishes are exceptionally hot, and diners will be required to sign a disclaimer before eating their dish. 

Anybody with a sensitivity to spicy food or who has never eaten strong chillies before is strongly advised against trying these dishes. 

All Reaper dishes are available for dining in only. They are therefore not available for delivery or take away due to the disclaimer which must be signed before consumption. Dishes can only be consumed by the person who has completed the disclaimer. For this reason the dishes cannot be taken off site. Companions and fellow diners may not try the dish unless they have also signed the disclaimer.

Prize for Eating The World's Hottest Curry

The gift card prizes may be used to dine at Zouk's Manchester restaurant at a future date. There is no cash alternative and winners have 6 months to use their prize. They must complete the full portion of the relevant dish with no assistance from their fellow diners. (Max eating time 30 mins).

1 - Complete the Reaper Seekh Kebab and win a £10 gift Card*which can be redeemed during brunch, lunch or dinner at a later date

2 - Complete the Reaper Curry (either chicken, paneer or veg) and win a voucher for £50 which can be redeemed during brunch, lunch or dinner at a later date**

3 - Complete both the curry and the kebab and win Sunday Roast Sharing Platter for 2 plus drinks (worth £100)***

• *The £10 gift card prize can be used at any date except the date they complete the challenge. It may redeemed against any food or drink items purchased on subsequent visits to Zouk restaurant. There is no cash alternative and winners have 6 months to use their voucher. They must complete the full portion of Reaper Seekh Kebab with no assistance from their fellow diners.

• **The £50 gift voucher prize can be used at any date except the date they complete the challenge. There is no cash alternative and winners have 6 months to claim their prize. They must complete the full portion of Reaper curry with no assistance from their fellow diners.

• ***The Sunday Platter for 2 prize must be redeemed on Sundays only – excluding Mother’s Day on Sunday 15^th March 2026. There is no cash alternative and winners have 6 months to claim their prize. They must complete the full portion of Reaper curry and a full portion of Reaper Kebab with no assistance from their fellow diners.

Make a Booking

Please make a booking online or find out more about the World's Hottest Curry at Zouk

Don't fancy the Carolina Reaper Karahi but want to try a special National Chilli Day dish - check out our National Chilli Day blog for details of the chilli inspired specials on offer at Zouk this year.