Our reporter Harry Leach took on Birmingham's legendary 'hottest curry' at Shababs in the Balti Triangle, and it left him in a total mess. Sweat was already dripping from his skull before the dish even arrived. On a sweltering day, he attempted one of the spiciest curries Shababs has ever served.
The Challenge Begins
Zaf Hussain, chef and owner of the iconic Balti Triangle curry house, warned Harry that the 'hot and dangerous Balti' is not something he would ever cook for himself. 'You better be ready,' said Zaf, describing the dish as 'a phall times two.' Harry had panic-bought a litre bottle of banana Yazoo beforehand.
Zaf recalled the last time he made a curry this hot was 12 years ago for a TV show, leaving comedian Omid Djalili in tears. When asked if he would eat it himself, Zaf replied, 'Nowhere near.' Not reassuring for Harry.
The Preparation
Harry watched as red chillies, Scotch bonnets, and Kashmiri chilli powder were added to the Balti. The molten lava sauce spat out of the dish, burning his knuckles—a preview of the pain to come. The 'dangerous' chicken Balti arrived with a chilli naan and a mango lassi, which Harry treated as emergency cooling medicine.
After the first bite, the roof of his mouth felt like it was at war with his tongue. His eyes watered, and he declared, 'I'm in tears,' as nearby customers looked on. He gulped the lassi and Yazoo desperately. In a moment of stupidity, he swallowed a whole chilli, turning his ears, nose, and eyeballs into leaky fireballs. Sweat dripped from his temple onto the dish, and he felt like a melting candle.
Perseverance and Pain
Despite the agony, Harry pushed on, motivated by his competitive mates who think they are 'Spice Kings.' His ego drove him to continue scooping up chicken and fiery sauce with the spicy naan. Surprisingly, the curry tasted good, but a piece of chicken got lodged in his throat, causing a coughing fit. He feared for his life but managed to dislodge it with more lassi and Yazoo.
After finishing, Harry felt okay, then terrible, then okay again, then really terrible. He stumbled outside into the heat, where a man in a passing car shouted, 'Enjoying the weather lad?' His lips were swollen, and he looked like he had lip filler.
Aftermath and Legacy
Returning to the restaurant, Harry sat before the empty dish, feeling a sense of achievement. Zaf seemed proud and hinted that if this article performs well, the 'hot and dangerous Balti' might become a permanent menu item. Harry left feeling delirious, almost high from the fire inside him. He drove home, stopped for six Magnum ice creams, ate them all, and fell asleep by 6pm.
If you want to try the 'hot and dangerous Balti' yourself, tell Shababs that Harry sent you, and let him know how you get on at harry.leach@reachplc.com.
