Sponsored
Zouk is serving up ‘the world’s hottest curry’, food challenges and prizes next week
Believe us when we say this thing is ridiculously hot. Not for the faint-hearted.
Danny Jones -
17th February 2023 
City centre favourite Zouk is serving up ‘the world’s hottest curry’ and a number of food challenges for National Chilli Day next week. The best part is, there’s prizes up for grabs!
The popular tea bar and grill located on Chester Street just off Oxford Road is slap bang in the middle of student central and has hordes of patrons lining up day in, day out, to taste their incredible Indian and Pakistani cuisine.
Now, to celebrate every spicy-food lover’s favourite day, Zouk is putting on special, limited-time-only menu to cater to all you heat freaks and speaking collectively on The Manc‘s behalf (several of us having tried it), it’s no joke.
Running for five days from Monday, 20 February to Friday, 24 February, the aptly named ‘Reaper Challenge‘ comes in three variations. Question is, are you up for any of them?
The dishes
When it came to coming up with the world’s hottest curry, Zouk didn’t have to look far for inspiration, they simply picked the world’s hottest chilli: the Carolina Reaper Chilli.
Combining the 1,569,000 Scoville scorcher of a chilli with their much-loved and already spicy chicken karahi and vegetable karahi recipes, they knew they were on a winner. You might have to sign a waiver to eat it but that’s all part of the fun, right?
Typically prepared in a wok and cooked over hot flames with tomatoes, ginger, garlic, peppercorns and cumin to create the sauce base, the karahi originates from the Northwest region of Pakistan and has a great flavour. Depending on how brave you’re feeling, you can have it as a kebab or a full curry.
That being said, this version does contain dried Carolina Reapers so you might not taste much beyond the heat of the sun after a few seconds. While the chilli is deemed suitable for human consumption, even Zouk’s chefs have admitted to struggling with the dish. Gulp. So, what can you win?
The challenge and prizes
Us Brits love a good curry and we already know that plenty of you won’t be able to resist the urge to take on the Reaper Challenge simply out of pride, so we might as well just tell you what you’ll have to eat in order to win the prizes.
Here’s what’s up for grabs:
- Complete the Reaper Kebab and win a £10 gift card
- Complete the Reaper Curry (either chicken or veg) and win a Bottomless Brunch for 2 (worth £70)
- Complete both and win Sunday Roast Platter for 2 plus drinks (worth £100)
If anyone eats both then two things: one, you’re crazy and two, we want you to tag us with photographic evidence or else it didn’t happen — you heard us.
The curries usually cost £14.95 for a veggie or £15.65 with chicken and the kebab will set you back just £7.95, but better still, they’re absolutely FREE if you manage to finish your respective dish. Mint.
You’ll even get some cooling ice cream to help soothe your taste buds afterwards. Trust us, you’ll need it.
Read more:
- The North American ‘comfort diner’ that’s been a Manchester fixture for 10 years
- All the February Manchester restaurant deals, discounts and offers you need in 2023
- A new Joy Division-inspired bar has opened in Manchester’s Northern Quarter
Issuing a statement for National Chilli Day and the Reaper Challenge, owner Tayub Amjad said: “Our food is usually more about flavour than heat but it’s National Chilli Day, and we know our customers love this challenge.
“For those who complete the challenge, you still have chance to come back and dine on us at a future date, so you will still get to experience the real Zouk too.”
What you thinking, Manchester? Are you up for taking on the world’s hottest curry?
*Full terms and conditions apply.*
For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.
Featured Image — ZOUK/The Manc Group
