Jitlada’s new “Dynamite Spicy Challenge” by Chef Tui is simply INSANE, or rather… insanely HOT.
If you thought the spiciest dish on the Southern Thai menu was the legendary Khua Kling Phat Tha Lung (Beef Dry Curry), you are wrong.
It took me months to brave the hottest spice level of the Khua Kling Phat Tha Lung, and I “trained” at home by eating a fresh, whole habanero chili (with seeds) every day. I’ve now moved on to ghost chilies.
When I order the dish now I just say, “make it Tui hot”. The cordial chef knows I can take it, even though I’m usually the only one at the table enjoying the delicious, ear buzzing pain.
When Jitlada revamped their menu last month, a new item was added that made me wince. “Dynamite Spicy Challenge”Presented by Chef Tui, with a warning that read, “If you do not eat spicy food do not order this. This is REAL CHILI REAL SPICY.“
I’ve eaten the new challenge twice in the last two weeks (with beef) and loved it. Since Peter can’t take the spice (although he likes it pretty darn hot!), I always get to take a bit home. The Dynamite Spicy beef was even better the next morning with eggs.
Dynamite Spicy Challenge by Chef Tui (Beef)
Leftover Dynamite Beef with eggs (my kind of breakfast fuel!)
Updates: Photo above is of Chef Tui’s Dynamite SPICY Challenge with Seafood: Green mussels, scallops, squid, crab and veg. Shared with my good pal Phil on 1/30/10. OUTSTANDING!
Chef Tui’s Dynamite SPICY Challenge with PORK. Shared with Charles & Mark 2/11/10
Chef Tui’s Dynamite SPICY Challenge with TOFU. Shared withChef Akasha, Alan, Haskell, Jenn & Drew o 4/6/10
Dynamite Chicken 10/20/10 Shared with Brent
Dynamite SPICY Softshell Crab, shared with 10/21/10 with Betty H.
Dynamite SCALLOPS, shared with Craig M., Jess, Peter, Esther, Mark, Aaron & Angela 6/4/11
5233 W Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 663-3104
Follow Jitlada on Twitter @JitladaLA
Jonathan Gold wrote that the Khua Kling Phat Tha Lung “may be the spiciest food you can eat in Los Angeles at the moment” back in 2007
About Ghost Chilies (aka Bhut Jolokia Peppers)
Where I bought Dried Ghost Chilies
A Recipe From the Chef: Jitlada’s Thai Beef Salad
My favorite Jitlada dishes (so far) on Flickr
my last bite... 
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My mouth is watering in fear and excitement just reading this post! I don’t think I can handle it. Or rather, I’m positive I can’t handle it. You the woman, Jo!
This is CRAZY heat, Jo. I am a self-professed chili head myself, having downed my fair share of hot peppers in my day, often under the worst of circumstances. But I have never seen or eaten a Bhut Jolokia Ghost Chili. They are legendary, as I’m told.
I love that she’s not afraid to use real heat. I love this place. It’s not like this everywhere you go. As a rule, if you’re in a Thai restaurant and appear to be a round-eye gringo like me, here’s a simple chart that will guide you to how spicy the food you order will come to your table.
Order: Mild —————> Result: Mild
Order: Medium ———–> Result: Mild
Order: Hot —————–> Result: Mild
Order: Hellfire ————> Result: Mild
I would love to taste this some time. You must take me there. I can take it (I think). I’m only white on the outside. 🙂
LOL! How awesome was the seafood on Saturday? Photo of the Dynamite SPICY Challenge that we conquered TOGETHER! http://www.flickr.com/photos/mylastbite/4317494192/
Jo, I’m so impressed! You rock! I LOVE spice and have wept and cried and blown my nose over crazy hot Thai food, but I’m positive I couldn’t handle this.
I love that you “trained” like an Olympic athlete for this “event.”
Also, heard you met my Farmers Market buddy Ronaldo at the Lazy Oz. You made quite an impression on him. 😉
xo
Jen
Hi Jennifer, I definitely “trained” and am still training so I don’t let my fiery tongue get too timid!
Loved meeting your friend Ronaldo. What a sweetheart!!
A pain so sweet I can’t resist.
1. Jo has trained. I have not.
2. Consequently SHE has it with eggs in the morning!
(fortunately there are always great other leftovers that don’t require asbestos.)
May the force be with you! Just the smell of spicy food makes my eyes water!
I like hot, but wow. I might be with Peter on this one 🙂
LOVE this! And I still want to go (with you) even if I am one of those round-eyed-gringos Phil is referring to.
LOL! Let’s go soon.
Wow… How did I miss all these posts??? Missing you and your blog so much!!
This looks so delicious and HOT, Can’t wait to try it!!
XOXO
When can you come join me for lunch at Jitlada???
i’m having fun reading on your post. i can’t believe, you, a woman, can take the spicy and the hotness of the food. i am also amazed that you are trained for the challenge.
I’ve always liked it hot… but definitely knew I’d have to prepare for Jitlada’s heat! : )
As a korean, I feel like I can handle the heat but I had to back up off of the kitchen at Jitlada bc it is so dang hot! It’s a different kind of spice for sure. I’m curious to try this but I’m gonna sneak in a gallon of lactaid milk just in case…
Let’s go together! I always order my crazy-ass spicy dishes separately, so you can taste a bite! Peter scoffed the other day, when I handed him a single green bean to try (from Tui’s Spicy Challenge). He gave me a dirty look, like I was kidding… then he tasted, went red and apologized. I told him, “If I didn’t love you, I would’ve given you a big forkful to try!”
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I finished this dish tonight. I will say it is extremely hot — much hotter than anything else I have seen. They took a picture of me and put it on the wall 🙂
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Awesome pics! Off to Jitlada tonight with a bunch of friends, may have to “make it Tui hot” 🙂
So I tried it just now and my mouth burned like hell for a very long time it’s soo worth it It’s an endorphin rush I felt like I was ready to fight lol Im glad I tried it and this is a prank Im going to pull on my friends and family! I just made my room mate try it and she started to cry and have panic attacks I could not help it but laugh extremely hard! My complements to the chef on this one!
went here for my birthday last weekend. a friend of mine tried the dynamite spicy challenge w/ tofu. 3 of the party of 9 found the dish spicy but not intolerable. me i cried tears of mouth searing pain after chewing a bit of tofu from the mix, but it was good times. i found it hotter than orochon’s spiciest ramen and pretty much the hottest thing i’ve ever had. any one have any idea on how many scovilles this dish is?
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Jo, I am visiting LA in a couple of weeks and was researchThai places online. Came upon Jitlada and your blog and had to tell you: KUDOS! Can’t believe you’ve tried everything on their menu. Your pics made me drool – I cannot wait to try some of the things from your list!
Have a great visit! Jitlada is still my favorite restaurant in L.A.