The World’s Hottest Curry at Zouk

What Is The World's Hottest Curry

This February 22nd Zouk is creating the 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 (Chicken £15.95 and Veg £14.95) will be on sale Monday 19th February to Friday 23rd February as a special. This year we’ve also created a new and improved World’s Hottest Kebab, The Reaper Seekh Kebab (£7.95) also made with Carolina Reaper Chillies and mixed lamb and chicken keema. If this all sounds a bit mad the restaurant is offering prizes for those bold enough to take these fiery dishes 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. We’ve also made a vegetable karahi suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Last year we made a kebab but this year we've upped the stakes and made a seekh kebab reaper dish, we believe it is the world’s hottest kebab. Last year only about 15 people completed the challenge and beat the reaper so I can't wait to see who takes on this trio of Reaper dishes in 2024.’

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 or vegetables. The curries and kebabs all 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!

The Challenge 

On Thursday 22nd 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 either or both the curry or the kebab we have a range of prizes 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…

1. Finish the full Carolina Reaper Seekh Kebab in one sitting (maximum eating time 30 minutes and no helping from companions) and you will get your kebab on us and a £10 gift card to enjoy at Zouk and redeem against food or drinks at a later date. 
2. Finish the full Carolina Reaper Curry (either chicken 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 Brunch for 2. This is a very different kind of feast but gives you chance to indulge in some of Zouk’s more friendly fare. 
3. Finish both the full Carolina Reaper Seekh Kebab and the Carolina Reaper Curry in one sitting (maximum eating time 1 hour and no helping from companions) and you will get your kebab and curry on us, and you will also win a Zouk Sunday Roast Meal for 2. 

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 Veg Karahi is £14.95. The Reaper Seekh Kebab is £7.95. All three dishes are available Monday 19th Feb to Friday 23rd Feb (2024) at Zouk Tea Bar & Grill Manchester. 

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 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.

Prizes for Eating The World's Hottest Curry

*The £10 gift card prize can be used at any date except the date they complete the challenge. It may be 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. (Max eating time 30 mins).

**The Brunch for 2 prize must be redeemed when brunch is available only. This includes Monday to Saturdays 8:00am to 3pm and Sundays 8:00am to 12 noon. 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. (Max eating time 30 mins).

***The Sunday Platter for 2 prize must be redeemed on Sundays only. It cannot be redeemed on Mother’s Day which is 10^th March 2024. 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 Seekh Kebab with no assistance from their fellow diners. (Max eating time 1 hour).

Make a Booking

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