If your nickname is the bottomless pit or the spice-meister, you’ll wanna try this list of Singapore’s toughest food challenges that’ll put your tummies to the test
Most of us eat for the sheer joy of good food, but haven’t you ever been guilty of pondering, “How much can I really eat? How spicy is too spicy? Do I love burgers thaaat much?” Whether you’re looking to satisfy that competitive streak of yours, up your street cred in the foodie scene – or you’re simply dangerously curious, bordering on insane – there are restaurants in Singapore offering food challenges for the gutsy and gluttonous. We’ve put together a list of seven of Singapore’s most gruelling eating challenges so you can put your mouth, stomach, and perhaps even your digestive system to the test. G’luck!
Southwest Tavern – The Spaghetti From Hell Challenge
It might be a rather innocuous looking plate of spaghetti, but if you’re sensible about what you eat, you probably make it a point never to consume anything that requires signing an indemnity form beforehand. Once you sign the waiver, you’ll be tasked with consuming the entire plate of Spaghetti From Hell ($28) within 10 minutes. No easy feat, considering the sauce is made with Trinidad Scorpion Butch T and Bhut Jolokia, some of the world’s spiciest strains of pepper. Oh, did we mention? You’re not allowed even a sip of water ’til the plate is clean. If you do make it to the end, you’ll be able to cool off with two complimentary towers of Heineken draught beer or a $100 dining voucher. You’ll probably pick the beer.
Southwest Tavern, 8 Boon Lay Way, Singapore 609964. p. 6515 4303.
Sunset Grill & Pub – The Level 30 Hot Wings Challenge
Walk past Sunset Grill on a weekend night, and chances are you’ll see at least one diner sweating bullets, face contorted in agony while sitting in front of a plate of fiery red chicken wings. If anecdotes are to be believed, the fumes from these wings are enough to get eyes watering even across the table. Keep down the entire serving of six wings and you’ll get your photo taken and displayed on the wall of fame. After all, pride is worth more than any tangible prize, right?
Sunset Grill & Pub, 259 Jalan Kayu, Singapore 799488. p. 6482 0244.
289 Xiang Ji Roasted Delights – The Mega Chicken Rice Challenge
Even mom and pop hawker joints are getting in on the competitive eating scene. Xian Ji Roasted Delights, made famous by its massive Mega Chicken Rice, consisting of 2.2kg of rice and 800g of chicken. The meal easily feeds 12 and goes for $28, but chow down this plate of chicken rice in under half an hour on your own and it’s on the house.
289 Xiang Ji Roasted Delights, Block 289A, Bukit Batok Street 25, Singapore 659289. p. 97671173.
Lau Pa Sat Stall 6 – The Satay Challenge
Chicken rice isn’t the only locally-inspired competitive eating challenge you can take on. Lau Pa Sat’s Stall 6 offers a regularly updated satay challenge. Beat the previous competitors satay stick count, posted on the stall’s display, in 20 minutes, and your meal is free.
Stall 6, Lau Pa Sat, 18 Raffles Quay, Singapore 048582.
The Beast – The Beast Burger Challenge
It was a video of petite competitive eater Thomasina Ow chowing down on this 3.2 kg monstrosity that put competitive eating in the public’s spotlight. If you’d like to take on this challenge, head down to this Southern American style diner in Bugis. The ginormous burger consists of slaw, pork, fried chicken and a cheese covered patty served with sweet potato fries. Finish this off in the time limit, and the $125 burger is on the house.
The Beast, 17 Jalan Klapa, Singapore 199329.
Little Diner – The Empire Burger Challenge
Pop by Little Diner for another gut-busting burger challenge, if you’re up for it. The Empire Burger ($55) normally serves three to four diners, but scale all three of its beef patties, bacon slices, Swiss & cheddar cheese, fried egg, caramelised onions, lettuce and tomato in under 20 minutes and your burger is free. Even if you don’t manage the feat, Little Diner will throw in a free dessert. We’re still trying to figure out if that’s a polite gesture or merely adding insult to injury.
Little Diner, 789 Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 269763. p. 6466 4088.
Lower East Side Taqueria – The Ultimate Hotness Challenge
Visit Lower East Side’s Facebook page and the banner image, displaying some positively dangerous looking hot sauces, will give you an idea of what to expect in this challenge. Diners have to finish just three tacos, but this isn’t a challenge of quantity. Rather, you’ll have to deal with the taqueria’s Level 5 hot sauce slathered all over your tacos (for $18, you can choose any taco on the menu). Scarf the trio down in under five minutes and your mouth-searing Mexican meal is on the house.
Lower East Side Taqueria,19 East Coast Road, Singapore 428746. p. 6348 1302.