Chili Fest 2026

Over the years, I've really come to appreciate spice. I didn't used to be able to eat spicy food at all, but after more than a decade living in Southeast Asia, my tolerance for capsaicin has gone up a ton. Now, I'm not able to bite down on a Caroline Reaper or anything like that, but I've definitely come to appreciate a comfortable level of chili in my food.

This weekend was the 4th annual Chili Fest, a festival of everything spicy held in the beautiful garden of the 5-star Kimpton Maa-Lai Hotel in downtown Bangkok. I arrived at 2pm right as the festival was just starting to kick off. All proceeds from ticket sales went to the Bangkok Community Help Foundation, a local volunteer non-profit making it not just a fun thing to do on a Saturday afternoon, but also a good way to support the community.

Of course, when you have a festival based completely around a flavor, the main feature is going to be food, and what better place to indulge in spicy dishes than in Thailand!

Some of the city's best and most famous chefs and restaurants, including several Michelin award-winners, had set up booths selling their spiciest (and less spicy for those with sensitive palates) dishes.

You can't beat the classics, and I decided to start with a bowl of spicy pad Thai from Padthai Khun Chu. Pad Thai isn't an especially spicy dish traditionally, but this one was cooked with fiery chilies served alongside crispy dried shrimp, fresh lime, and lots of herbs, and was served with even more intensely hot dried chili on the side.

I'm always a fan of fusion food, so I couldn't pass up a plate of kaprao (spicy basil stir fry) minced pork empanadas served with acevichada (a traditional Peruvian sauce made with lime, chili, and herbs) and huancaina (a flavorful cheese sauce made with aji peppers).

Of course, I couldn't leave Chili Fest empty handed! I spent some time perusing through the shops and stalls selling all sorts of hot sauces and other chili-based stuff. I ended up buying a jar of "The Bee Sting" hot honey and a bar of "Devil's Chili" chocolate made from Chiang Mai cacao, dried oranges, and ghost pepper. Both delicious!

As a matter of fact, Siamaya Chocolate has its factory and store up in Chiang Mai, and I hope that I can pay them a visit next time I'm up north.

There was going to be a hot chili eating contest and live music in the evening (and even free tattoos generously provided by a local tattoo studio), but I had already eaten my fill of spicy food, and the weather was starting to get hot as well. I had a ton of fun at Chili Fest, but it would have been more fun if I hadn't had to go by myself. Next year, I'll try to get my ticket earlier so I can drag my wife or a few friends along with me.