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Feeling competitive?
Food challenges are nothing new. From the days of Adam Richman’s “Man vs. Food,” to the 852’s first ever burger eating competition taking place this summer just past, our fascination with putting our stomach to the test doesn’t seem to be slowing. Think you can handle it? From the outrageously spicy, to meals of colossal proportions, we’ve rounded up the best food challenges Hong Kong has to offer. Try at your own risk, and don’t say we didn’t warn you…
Morty’s – 1kg Rueben Challenge
Sitting quietly on Star Street, Morty’s has brought hearty NYC deli specials to Wan Chai along with a food challenge of epic proportions. Available only on Monday evenings, the 1kg Reuben Challenge consists of 750g of slow smoked pastrami, served with Swiss cheese, Thousand Island dressing and sauerkraut on four pieces of house rye. Did we mention you’ve got fries and pickles to eat, too? Finish the challenge in 30-minutes or less and you’ll get the sarnie for free (normally priced at $588), and your picture on the wall of fame!
Thinking it sounds easy? We put this challenge to the test and it’s definitely not for the faint of heart. As a big fan of Morty’s (and its Reuben sandwiches!), I was more than willing to give it a go. After 10 minutes I was almost halfway through and feeling fine, but then the meat started to get pretty hard to swallow. The sheer amount of meat involved in this – and the time limit (30 minutes goes by real fast) – makes it tough to complete. I didn’t quite make it to the finish line, but why not take it on yourself and see how you fair?
What: Finish Morty’s 1kg Reuben, served with fries and pickles in 30-minutes or less
When: Every Monday evening
Where: Morty’s, 8-10 Wing Fung Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
How much: $588
Picada – Man vs. Mariachi – Spicy Taco Tuesday Challenge
Spice up your Tuesday with Picada’s fiery taco challenge. Held every week along with the restaurant’s taco Tuesday (complete with free-flow tacos), go head-to-head against Poncho the Mariachi and see if you can handle the heat. Come 8:30pm on this rowdy taco night, Poncho will round up willing participants to take on this challenge. Devour a super spicy taco and withstand the afterburn for 5 minutes afterwards and get yourself a free margarita for your bravery (and bragging rights, of course).
We tried out the challenge for ourselves, and have to warn you that the taco is very hot – so not one for those who can’t handle the heat, but definitely a fun way to (quite literally) spice up your Tuesday evening. Pro-tip – withstanding the afterburn is actually worth it – I cracked and reached for a swig of my beer to calm the burn, and it only made things worse!
What: Go against Poncho the Mariachi and see if you can handle the heat of this extra spicy taco!
When: Every Tuesday, from 7pm to 10pm, with the challenge taking place at around 8:30pm
Where: Picada, 29 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong
How much: $280 per person for free flow tacos and one Corona beer / $380 for a platter of 12 to share – free to enter the challenge
Paisano’s, Sai Kung – 24-inch Pizza Challenge
Buddy up and take on this giant pizza challenge. Exclusively available at Paisano’s Sai Kung branch, all you need to do is devour a whopping 24-inch pizza in 20 minutes or less to win. The pizza itself is a classic cheese and tomato, but you can pay extra for additional toppings – though if you need the extra calories, we’re not so sure. Costing just $195 for the pizza, plus an additional $100 for the challenge, we reckon this one is a pretty good deal for pizza lovers. What’s more, if you win you get to keep your $100, and if you lose, it goes to charity – win, win!
What: Two people need to eat an entire 24-inch pizza in 20 minutes or less.
When: Weekdays, 11am to 11pm – make sure to call 2791 4445 ahead of time to book!
Where: G/F, Shop 27, Chan Man Street, Sai Kung, New Territories, Hong Kong
How much: $195 for the pizza, plus an additional $100 for the challenge
The Big Bite – Homicide Hot Wings Challenge
Known for its Canadian grub and $3 wings night on Wednesdays, The Big Bite is offering up a hot challenge sure to take down any spice fiend. For this one, participants need to finish six homicide buffalo within 3 minutes, and rest another 3 minutes without drinking anything. Getting through the wings is one thing, but withstanding the 3-minute afterburn is a whole other story. Try it if you dare to win yourself a badge and place on the homicide wall of fame. I daren’t even try this one as when the menu says hot, it really means hot, and I’ve known one too many people who have tried this and, sadly, failed.
What: Eat six homicide hot wings in 3 minutes or under, and then wait a further 3 minutes without having a drink.
When: Everyday
Where: Shop 4B G/F Kar Fu Building, 196-202 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong
How much: $150
Tiger Curry – White Tiger Challenge
Following on from its very own spicy chicken wings challenge, Tiger Curry is back with a whole new dish to tackle. Take on a triple portion of Tiger Curry’s signature White Tiger Curry (udon noodles with tiger curry sauce, beef, potato espuma, topped with a runny onsen egg). Beat the speedy time of 5 minutes and 21 seconds and the meal is on them! The quickest challenger will also receive a voucher worth $2,000.
What: Eat a triple portion of Tiger Curry’s signature White Tiger Curry in less than 5 minutes and 21 seconds.
When: From now until Sunday, November 19, 2017
Where: Tiger Curry, G/F, 14 Pennington Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong and Tiger Curry & Café, Shop 2602, 2/F, Gateway Arcade, Harbour City, 3-27 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
How much: $240
www.facebook.com/TigerCurryHongKong
Caliente – 10 Taco Challenge
This one’s for the taco fans! The difference here is that the challenge isn’t spicy (or huge), but simply comes down to speed. Wolf down 10 tacos in 2 minutes or less and get your tacos free and your face on Caliente’s Wall of Fame. Winners will also get 20% off the bill at their next visit!
What: Finish 10 tacos in 2 minutes or less.
When: Everyday, 6pm to 2am (3am Friday and Saturday)
Where: Caliente, 3/F, 6 Knutsford Terrace, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
How much: $199
Main St. Deli – Suicide Hot Wings Challenge
Can you take the heat? Another spicy contender in the hot wings challenge is Main St. Deli. Take it on and finish six suicide hot wings within 5 minutes and withstand a further 5 whole minutes of afterburn (with no drinking allowed!) to win. Winners receive the wings for free and have their picture on the “Hall of Fame,” but losers have to pay and get their picture on the “Wall of Shame.”
What: Finish six suicide hot wings in 5 minutes or less and withstand the afterburn.
When: Sunday to Thursday, 10am to 10pm; Friday and Saturday, 10am to 11pm
Where: Main St. Deli, Langham Hotel Hong Kong, 8 Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
How much: $118 for 6 wings
www.langhamhotels.com/en/the-langham/hong-kong/dining/main-st-deli
The Diner – Skyscraper Burger
Not strictly an official challenge, the prize for completing this monster burger is pride (and bragging rights). Called a skyscraper for a reason, this burger definitely deserves a place on our list. Consisting of four 6-ounce patties piled high with five slices of Monterey jack, pulled pork, bacon, caramelised onions, dill pickles, tomato, lettuce and diner sauce (plus fries and slaw), this is one colossal meal.
What: Simply eat the entire Skyscraper Burger, plus fries and slaw.
When: Weekdays, 11am to 11pm; weekends: 2pm to 11pm (10pm for Sai Kung)
Where: The Diner, G/F, 4-8 Arbuthnot Road, Central, Hong Kong & The Diner, G/F, 72-74 Po Tung Road, Sai Kung, New Territories, Hong Kong
How much: $189
Featured image sourced via Pinterest. All further images sourced via respective company Facebook pages and websites.
