A visitor to Bengal Village on Brick Lane took on the restaurant’s “hottest curry challenge.” The curry is famous for being extremely spicy because it contains a paste made from 72 different kinds of chillies—including fiery varieties like the Carolina Reaper, Scotch Bonnet, Naga, Bird’s Eye and Snake chilli.
As soon as the man started eating, the heat overwhelmed him. He began to cough, sweat and eventually knelt on the street outside. Seeing his distress, the restaurant’s owner, Raj, rushed over with a drink and stayed by his side until he felt better. The dramatic moment was filmed and quickly went viral online.
After math of the #Londonshottestcurry pic.twitter.com/0SrpWWLTfH
— Bengal Village – Best of Brick Lane (@Bengal_Village) June 14, 2025
How the curry is prepared
- All 72 chillies are first ground into a powder.
- The chilli powder is cooked with spices such as fenugreek, mustard seeds and cumin.
- Onion, garlic and ghee are added, and the mixture is simmered with chicken.
- Because the aroma is so strong, the owner sometimes serves it while wearing a gas mask.
Why it’s so intense
- The curry’s thick, dark‑red sauce carries a huge amount of chilli heat.
- Diners often start sweating or even crying after just one or two bites.
- According to reports, one challenger nearly needed hospital care, while another ended up rolling on the restaurant’s bathroom floor from the pain.
The viral video is a reminder: this dish is only for those who truly love—and can handle—extreme spice!
