The Heat is On: How I Got Hooked on Watching Spicy Food Challenges on YouTube

I've been really into spicy food lately. Although I'm not really good with super spicy food, I enjoy watching others eat it.

About 20 years ago when I was in Thailand 🇹🇭, I tried green curry which was extremely spicy. Just one bite caused excruciating pain from my mouth to my lips. I remember sweat pouring down from my face to my body like a waterfall. I had to keep holding ice in my hand, and I had to put it on my lips to cool them down. It took me more than an hour to finish the dish, and I couldn't even complete it.

Even though I get mouth ulcers from CoCo Ichibanya curry level 2, and I can't even handle Mokoto Ramen which is not really that spicy, I got into watching YouTube videos of people eating extremely spicy food after watching Ami Suzuki's YouTube channel.

I knew from watching TV before that Ami Suzuki was strong with spicy food, but I didn't know she had a YouTube channel where she challenges herself with spicy food.

I like to watch food eating competitions on YouTube, and I've always been a fan of Russian Sato, a famous food fighter. I think I came across Ami Suzuki's collaboration video with Russian Sato because I was watching her videos.

I imagined that Ami Suzuki would have no trouble eating Mokoto Ramen's Arctic spicy noodles, and as expected, she had no problem. It was amazing to see how Russian Sato could handle the spiciness as a big eater.

So I subscribed to Ami Suzuki's channel "Ami Suzuki's Amigo TV" and watched her previous videos. There were videos where Amigo cried and turned red while eating spicy food, and I also watched videos where she said, "This is dangerous."

Two videos really left an impression on me: "18+ Curry" and "Fujin Ramen" from Ishiguro Store.

After seeing Ami Suzuki struggling with these two dishes, I was surprised to learn that there were people who dared to challenge even spicier food than Mokoto Ramen or CoCo Ichibanya's spiciness. I'm sure if Ami Suzuki tried that Thai green curry now, she would handle it easily. But I wonder how intense the spiciness is for those who can handle the heat of the "18+ Curry" and "Fujin Ramen."

That's when I realized there are people out there who take on the challenge of eating these two foods. Especially with the "Fujin Ramen" from Ishiguro Store, there is another level called "Raijin Ramen" that's even spicier.

So, let me introduce some of my favorite channels besides Amigo TV.

First up is "Yucchannel," which has a collaboration video with Ami Suzuki.

I first saw them in a video where they attempted to eat Raigeki Ramen. I knew about Ishiguro Shoten, which is located in Kanda Jimbocho, because I often go to Jimbocho, but I only knew that their crab miso ramen was delicious. Ami Suzuki ate Fugen Ramen at the Shibuya branch, but Yucchan and her friend ate at the Jimbocho branch. Recently, whenever I pass by Ishiguro Shoten, I always check their menu sign.

Since watching this video, I've become a fan, and I'm drawn to the channel's easy-to-understand comments and Hige-san's eating habits. They also give a score for spiciness, with a rating scale of 10 points based on the Arctic standard. It might be easier to imagine the scale if you've been to the Arctic, but I haven't, so I can only imagine. Yucchan's perseverance is also impressive, and the two of them have an exquisite balance as a duo.

The second favorite YouTuber for spicy food challenges is Michael, also known as "Imai Michaels."

Michael, a muscular man, is also a formidable challenger for spicy food, like Hige-san from Yucchannel. His narration in the videos is excellent and easy to listen to. I like how he explains the spiciness of the food and the level of stimulation and pain it causes in his mouth and body.

He travels around the country, introducing spicy food by putting himself in difficult situations, so it's always interesting to watch his latest videos.

In the aforementioned video, Michael also attempted Raigeki Ramen at Ishiguro Shoten. It's a must-watch if he completes the challenge.

Lastly, there's Yasuda-san from Ichigeki Sibuki Channel. Although they seem more ordinary compared to the other two pairs I introduced earlier, they may be the strongest when it comes to spicy food challenges. He was able to finish Raigeki Ramen!

This is truly amazing, especially since it was his sixth attempt. I think he really made an effort to overcome the challenge. Spicy food is really dangerous and can make you sick, so it requires professional training and care, just like eating competitions.

This time, we introduced five teams of extremely spicy YouTubers. There are many videos that both spicy food lovers and non-spicy food lovers can enjoy, so if there is another opportunity, we will introduce them again.

Recently, I feel that there are more and more videos of competitive eaters challenging spicy ingredients, so I think the world of spicy food is getting more and more exciting.

However, please be careful not to attempt excessive spicy challenges if you are not a professional, and just enjoy watching them!