Heat Eaters

Olympic gold medalist Suni Lee has nailed perfect 10s in gymnastics - but can she survive a 10 on Chef Esther Choi’s Scoville lineup? Esther throws down a custom three course heat feast: spicy Korean fried chicken, a hot Choi pepper X pizza, and Khao Poon, Suni’s ultimate Lao comfort dish. Between bites, Suni plays a game of Agree or Disagree, sounding off on pop culture hot takes, and breaks down her biggest career moments while revealing how nervous she really was. And for the final test, Esther dares her to a spoonful of the Last Dab, a challenge fit for an Olympian.

Comedian Caleb Hearon may love his Midwestern comfort food - but can he survive Chef Esther Choi’s spicy remix? Esther puts him to the test with a fiery three-course lineup of his favorites: chicken wings, a kicked-up tater tot casserole, and extra-saucy, last dab–infused Kansas City BBQ ribs. Between bites, Caleb breaks down classic Midwestern stereotypes and unleashes a stream of pop-culture hot takes - from Christian music and chain restaurants to Taylor Swift and Patrick Mahomes. It all builds to a chaotic paper-football finale where a missed touchdown means one thing: a Last Dab penalty!

WWE Superstar Becky Lynch loves a challenge - but can "The Man" handle the heat? Chef Esther Choi fuels the fire with a three-course lineup inspired by Becky’s Irish roots: a Dublin-style spice bag, a hearty “grind mode” Irish breakfast, and an unhinged Pepper X–Reaper Irish stew. Along the way, Becky talks early wrestling memories, the rise of the Four Horsewomen, and shares a few hilarious family stories.

K-pop group Le Sserafim (르세라핌) are fearless on stage - but how fearless are they with spice? Chef Esther Choi turns up the heat with a bubbling extra spicy Budae Jjigae and a lineup of challenges designed to push their limits. The members battle it out in a slurping-noodles showdown, play “never have I ever” with a fiery punishment, and crown each other with superlatives. In the end, each face the ultimate test of fearlessness: a Level 10 Last Dab.

F1 driver Alex Albon knows speed, but can he handle the heat? In this episode of Heat Eaters, Chef Esther Choi serves up a fiery three-course menu tailored to Alex’s tastes: a spicy take on a grid-favorite pasta (shoutout Team Carbono), a Pepper X-loaded burger inspired by In-N-Out, and Alex’s ultimate dream meal - a spicy Pad Krapow topped with Esther’s homemade Level 10 Last Dab. Along the way, Alex breaks down the diet of an F1 driver, talks about his early racing obsession, and shares how he juggles life on the road with caring for his many pets.

Simu Liu is an actor, superhero, and noodle obsessive—so obsessed, he joined the team at MìLà, the beloved dumpling and noodle brand. But today, he faces his spiciest nemesis yet: Chef Esther Choi. After “training for weeks,” Simu takes on Esther’s three-course menu: a fiery remix of poutine, a DIY spicy KBBQ ssam, and an absolutely insane chili king crab noodle finale. Along the way, he builds his dream (co-ed) Marvel boy band, talks heroes vs. villains, bonds with Esther over growing up in immigrant families - and finds out if spice is his greatest foe… or his newest superpower.

In this episode of Heat Eaters, comedian Bobby Lee shows up chill and totally unprepared for the spicy chaos Chef Esther Choi has in store. What begins as a gentle trip down memory lane spirals into a full-blown ambush: surprise ingredients, building heat, and a final prank dish that catches him off guard. From a throwback TV dinner with a fiery twist to a deep-dish pizza straight out of the Temple of Doom, each course pushes him closer to total meltdown.

Heat Eaters is back—and this season, Chef Esther Choi returns to her favorite place ever: the kitchen. She’s serving up custom spicy tasting menus inspired by each guest’s life, career, and favorite foods. And who better to kick things off than comedy legend Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias - following his hit Legend of Fluffy Netflix special. In this episode, Esther crafts a three-course flavor gauntlet just for Fluffy: a cheesy spam quesadilla, a brisket–hot dog sandwich stacked with fiery condiments, and a sweet-and-spicy Hawaiian-style finale. As the heat builds, Fluffy opens up about his early comedy days, throws shade at the spice, and walks away with a custom chili pepper shirt worthy of the legend himself.

Food TV legend, author, and all-around genius Alton Brown teams up with his good friend Chef Esther Choi for an unforgettable omakase experience with a spicy twist. Esther pulls out all the stops, crafting a custom tasting menu inspired by Alton’s life, career, and favorite dishes. From the Korean fried stuffed chicken wings featured on Iron Chef to his beloved Korean bibimbap from Good Eats, every dish cranks up the heat while paying tribute to Alton’s iconic legacy. Will he rise to the challenge of Chef Esther’s creations, or will Chef Esther push him to his limits?

The San Gabriel Valley is the spot for next-level regional Asian food and hands-down some of the best Chinese eats in America. Chef Esther Choi hits up this foodie paradise with her chef buddies - Michelin-starred Jon Yao and Top Chef winner Mei Lin - to take on the spiciest, most drool-worthy dishes SGV has to offer. From fiery Hunan chili frog, to tongue-numbing Chongqing noodles, to a chili-loaded fish head, this food crawl turns up the heat and shines a spotlight on the bold, fiery flavors of this Los Angeles culinary hub.

Chef Esther Choi is on a mission to create the ultimate spicy challenge—one that’s as mouthwateringly delicious as it is hot. Teaming up with legendary Hot Ones pepper breeder Smokin’ Ed Currie, they create a next-level showdown: 100 dumplings stuffed with Pepper X and Carolina Reaper spice bombs. And who better to face this monster challenge than competitive eating legend Matt Stonie? Can Matt tackle the heat and devour the massive plate, or will the spice bring him to his knees?

The wait is finally over! After seasons of fan requests, Uncle Roger and Auntie Esther team up in the kitchen for a spicy rendezvous. Uncle Roger is on a mission to win her over with a classic Malaysian noodle dish, packed with spice. But does he have what it takes to impress his crush, who’s known for her sky-high standards? Or is he in for a roasting of his own?

Get ready for the hottest season finale of Heat Eaters yet, infused with Italian heat! This isn't just a spin on your Nonna's tomato sauce - it's a sizzling Italian feast that delivers a punch hotter than Mount Vesuvius. Our journey kicks off in the Bronx at the iconic Arthur Avenue, where host Esther Choi and Bronx-bred chef Christian Petroni—a local celebrity familiar to everyone on the block— explore the spicy realms of Calabrian cuisine. Paying respect through historical landmarks, they taste-test various spicy cured sausages from Calabria Pork Store and try the renowned Calabrese-style egg, potato, and porchetta sandwiches from Mike's Deli—a cultural cornerstone since the 1940s. To cap off her adventure, Esther jets to Brooklyn to join forces with Binging with Babish at his home studio. Together, they unleash the formidable flavor of Carolina Reapers from Smokin' Ed to make “Spaghetti all’Assassina," also known as “Assassin’s Pasta”.

Attention all Spice Lords - the moment you’ve been waiting for is finally here! In this episode of Heat Eaters, chef Esther Choi embarks on the much-anticipated journey down to South Carolina to visit legendary Hot Ones' Pepper Breeder, Smokin' Ed Currie. From cultivating Carolina Reapers to the newly-crowned Hottest Pepper in the World, Pepper X, along with top-secret peppers in development — this episode offers a comprehensive view into what it takes to run the most fiery pepper farm and hot sauce company in the world. Tune in for a master class on Pepper Breeding 101! Learn about Ed’s 'Field of Dreams', where he pioneers ferocious new pepper strains! Get an exclusive factory tour where all Hot Ones' hot sauces are brought to life, including the famous "Last Dab"! And, best of all, hear firsthand accounts of what Smokin' Ed is REALLY like, from the friends and family who know him best!

In this episode of HEAT EATERS, chef Esther Choi is joined by chef Sohla El-Waylly and NY Times food reporter Priya Krishna to explore the vibrant South Asian flavors of Jersey City’s India Square —including spicy dosas, pani puri, and CRAZY HOT Bangladeshi homestyle cuisine, featuring the infamous Naga chili pepper. Home to one of the highest concentrations of South Asians in the U.S., Jersey City's India Square boasts a kaleidoscope of incredible traditional street food and culinary delights that reflect the rich culinary heritage of the community. Esther kicks off her day with a classic street food snack, pani puri—crispy hollow spheres loaded with chickpeas or lentils, and drenched in spiced chili water. Esther continues her journey at Sri Ganesh's Dosa House, where, alongside Sohla, she taste-tests the intricate flavors of savory dosas, which include a variant so full of fiery flavor that it's aptly named 'gunpowder' spice.

In this episode of HEAT EATERS, Joshua Weissman and Esther Choi combine forces to make the ultimate spicy instant noodles! And with these two chefs, you know it’s gonna be gourmet. For inspiration, Esther first visits the Instant Noodle Factory in Queens, a unique haven dedicated to different instant ramen packets from around the world. After ranking and taste-testing noodles, Josh and Esther cherry pick their favorite elements for a high-end take on this dorm-room staple: a creamy carbonara loaded with guanciale, chili oil, and a ferocious Trinidad Scorpion pepper blend!

Are you ready for a taste of the tropics? In this episode of Heat Eaters, our host, Chef Esther Choi, embarks on a fiery food journey through the vibrant Little Caribbean neighborhood in Brooklyn, NY. Esther's culinary adventure starts off at Irie Jerk Chicken, where she links up with singer and Brooklyn-native, Justine Skye. Together, they feast on succulent Jamaican spicy jerk chicken paired with sweet festival bread, and eat scotch bonnet peppers straight from a spicy escovitch sauce. Next, Esther joins her friend Pierre "Chef P" Serrao, co-founder of the Bronx Culinary Collective - Ghetto Gastro. Together they hit up Ariapita, renowned for its authentic Trinidadian Homestyle cuisine. Chef Osei "Picky" Blackett serves up a medley of Trinidadian dishes, including spicy fruit chow, Chinese-style wings, and flavorful oxtail curry. In the grand finale, Chef P and Esther meet up with Andre Springer, the founder and mastermind behind Shaquanda's Hot Pepper Sauce.

Prepare your taste buds for a tantalizing THAI SPICY journey! On this fiery episode of Heat Eaters, our host, Chef Esther Choi, joins forces with her friend and renowned James Beard award-winning Chef, Justin Pichetrungsi. Their mission? To create spicy Thai Tacos for Justin's Thai Taco Tuesday event at his restaurant, Anajak Thai. Their culinary adventure kicks off with a visit to the Northern Thai Food Club in Los Angeles, where they seek flavor inspiration. Next, they visit Silom Supermarket in the heart of LA’s Thai Town, sourcing fresh and unique ingredients intended to infuse their tacos with bursts of flavors. Then, in a culinary showdown reminiscent of an Iron Chef battle, our grand finale sees Chefs Esther and Justin going head to head at Anajak Thai - each crafting their version of a spicy Thai taco. The challenge? To impress the discerning palates of their esteemed guests and judges, Chefs Jet Tila, Molly Baz, and Vanessa Lavorato. Will they withstand the heat?

Get ready for the SPICIEST Mexican food tour! In this episode of Heat Eaters, Esther Choi teams up with acclaimed taco scholar Bill Esparza for a tongue-sizzling journey in Los Angeles, unearthing the vibrant, chili-infused cuisines of Sinaloa, Oaxaca, and the Yucatan regions of Mexico. First stop is Del Mar Ostioneria, an unassuming food truck that serves incredible chili-laced aguachiles and ceviche from Sinaloa, with top-quality marsicos that you'd expect to find at Nobu. Next, they meet up with the Oaxacan Queen herself, Bricia Lopez, to try a rare, hyper-regional spicy mole from Candelaria Lopez, who drove from Santa Maria Valley to whip up a special feast. To cap it all off, Esther and Bill head to a backyard taco pop-up, Ek Balam, to sample spicy cochinita pibil tacos and — as is customary in the Yucatan — chase them down with raw habaneros!

Calling all Spice Lords—we're finally pulling back the curtain on all things Hot Ones! For the first time in Hot Ones history, we're giving fans an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of how an episode of Hot Ones is made. Heat Eaters host Esther Choi explores the heart of First We Feast headquarters with her trusty tour guide, Camera Guy Bill. From hanging out with Sean in the studio and getting the scoop about his pre-shoot rituals and research process, to learning about their systematic wing tossing approach, to checking out rare mementos from the 'Museum of Curiosities' collected from past episodes, Esther’s visit is loaded with the type of inside info fans have been clamoring for. But that's not all! After her studio tour, Esther links up with Noah Chaimberg—the founder of Heatonist and producer of Hot Ones sauces—for a very special hot sauce-tasting flight, including an INSANELY hot Pepper X tincture from the legend Smokin Ed Currie.