How can I make something spicey

[BarryBloomWwf]

Imagine I make a chicken stir fry and I want to put something in to make it spicey. I have tried every product from carrefour with the word "picante" in it, does nothing. I've asked multiple specialist shops if they have anything to make the food spicey, they all say si si si then sell me something that adds no spice

Imagine I am a very simple person looking for a very simple answer

Go to the shop ___ at the address ____ and buy a product called _______

If anyone can fill in the above sentence I will be so happy

Edit actually don't worry about the address I can use Google maps i didn't want to seem lazy

 

[Johnny]

Imagine I make a chicken stir fry and I want to put something in to make it spicey. I have tried every product from carrefour with the word "picante" in it, does nothing. I've asked multiple specialist shops if they have anything to make the food spicey, they all say si si si then sell me something that adds no spice

Imagine I am a very simple person looking for a very simple answer

Go to the shop ___ at the address ____ and buy a product called _______

If anyone can fill in the above sentence I will be so happy

Edit actually don't worry about the address I can use Google maps i didn't want to seem lazy

I haven't had anything at all spicy in my trips to BA. Ask @Jakoval he has posted some photos of a few dishes that looked spicy! He posted he is from Thailand and living in BA so he must know.

 

[ben]

I haven't had anything at all spicy in my trips to BA. Ask @Jakoval he has posted some photos of a few dishes that looked spicy! He posted he is from Thailand and living in BA so he must know.

Post in thread 'How can the food here be so bad ?'

Nov 1, 2024

Agree. I was surprised the Asian restaurants weren't better. The Chinatown there is quite large but many of the restaurants there were not good and lack of spices. Only so much pasta, empanadas and steaks one can eat.

I don't like to cook on vacation but if I moved there I would cook. Prices in restaurants look very expensive now. Eating out daily would add up.

I never ordered Milanesa here because a couple of times that I did, it was always dry. I never liked empanadas so much until probably this past year that I found one or two places that make them better than what I...

• Jakoval

• 
• 

 

[Flamingo]

Imagine I make a chicken stir fry and I want to put something in to make it spicey. I have tried every product from carrefour with the word "picante" in it, does nothing. I've asked multiple specialist shops if they have anything to make the food spicey, they all say si si si then sell me something that adds no spice

Imagine I am a very simple person looking for a very simple answer

Go to the shop ___ at the address ____ and buy a product called _______

If anyone can fill in the above sentence I will be so happy

Edit actually don't worry about the address I can use Google maps i didn't want to seem lazy

Try looking on Mercado Libre for Badia spices. They have some spicy stuff. I have bought Cayenne pepper and even ghost pepper which is quite spicy.

Mercado Libre

Mercado Libre

 

[Betsy Ross]

Try looking on Mercado Libre for Badia spices. They have some spicy stuff. I have bought Cayenne pepper and even ghost pepper which is quite spicy.

Mercado Libre

Mercado Libre

This is the brand I buy. My sister loves spicy food and we never can find anything here. Here is the pack that I get.

Mercado Libre

 

[Jakoval]

Imagine I make a chicken stir fry and I want to put something in to make it spicey. I have tried every product from carrefour with the word "picante" in it, does nothing. I've asked multiple specialist shops if they have anything to make the food spicey, they all say si si si then sell me something that adds no spice

Imagine I am a very simple person looking for a very simple answer

Go to the shop ___ at the address ____ and buy a product called _______

If anyone can fill in the above sentence I will be so happy

Edit actually don't worry about the address I can use Google maps i didn't want to seem lazy

Most verdulerías owned by Peruvians or Bolivians have fresh chilis that are quite spicy even for me. Or you can get them in barrio chino as well. Below are the photos. These two types are more than spicy enough for anyone. Try adding one chili first, if one isn't spicy enough, add more. I make papaya salad (no green papaya so carrot instead) and I add 1-2 chilis and it's spicy enough.

 

[Uncle Wong]

Most verdulerías owned by Peruvians or Bolivians have fresh chilis that are quite spicy even for me. Or you can get them in barrio chino as well. Below are the photos. These two types are more than spicy enough for anyone. Try adding one chili first, if one isn't spicy enough, add more. I make papaya salad (no green papaya so carrot instead) and I add 1-2 chilis and it's spicy enough.

Do you have any addresses @Jakoval of your favorite places? Next trip I will try to see but there are so many places. I went to a few places and didn't see any but they might not have been owned by a Peruvian or Bolivian. They seemed to be Chinese owned and nothing was too spicy. If you have a particular one that you go to in Chinatown? I think I read you don't live in the area.

 

[Betsy Ross]

Do you have any addresses @Jakoval of your favorite places? Next trip I will try to see but there are so many places. I went to a few places and didn't see any but they might not have been owned by a Peruvian or Bolivian. They seemed to be Chinese owned and nothing was too spicy. If you have a particular one that you go to in Chinatown? I think I read you don't live in the area.

Jakoval that looks delicious!

Do you have any addresses @Jakoval of your favorite places? Next trip I will try to see but there are so many places. I went to a few places and didn't see any but they might not have been owned by a Peruvian or Bolivian. They seemed to be Chinese owned and nothing was too spicy. If you have a particular one that you go to in Chinatown? I think I read you don't live in the area.

@Uncle Wong there is a wonderful verdulería in Chinatown. It is at the corner of Juramento and Montanases and they have spicy peppers there.

 

[Piranha]

Most verdulerías owned by Peruvians or Bolivians have fresh chilis that are quite spicy even for me. Or you can get them in barrio chino as well. Below are the photos. These two types are more than spicy enough for anyone. Try adding one chili first, if one isn't spicy enough, add more. I make papaya salad (no green papaya so carrot instead) and I add 1-2 chilis and it's spicy enough.

Looks incredible!

 

[PhilipDT]

Most verdulerías owned by Peruvians or Bolivians have fresh chilis that are quite spicy even for me. Or you can get them in barrio chino as well. Below are the photos. These two types are more than spicy enough for anyone. Try adding one chili first, if one isn't spicy enough, add more. I make papaya salad (no green papaya so carrot instead) and I add 1-2 chilis and it's spicy enough.

You going to share your recipe? 😍

 

[Jakoval]

Do you have any addresses @Jakoval of your favorite places? Next trip I will try to see but there are so many places. I went to a few places and didn't see any but they might not have been owned by a Peruvian or Bolivian. They seemed to be Chinese owned and nothing was too spicy. If you have a particular one that you go to in Chinatown? I think I read you don't live in the area.

I always go to these 3 places namely Casa China, Ichiban and Asia Oriental. Casa China and Ichiban have more selections of fresh vegetables than Asia Oriental but if you want all the Asian sauces, Asia Oriental has a lot more than the other two.

 

[Cardiac Arrest]

Most verdulerías owned by Peruvians or Bolivians have fresh chilis that are quite spicy even for me. Or you can get them in barrio chino as well. Below are the photos. These two types are more than spicy enough for anyone. Try adding one chili first, if one isn't spicy enough, add more. I make papaya salad (no green papaya so carrot instead) and I add 1-2 chilis and it's spicy enough.

Damn that would kill me. Looks spicy @Jakoval! 🔥🔥 But looks so tasty.

 

[Betsy Ross]

I always go to these 3 places namely Casa China, Ichiban and Asia Oriental. Casa China and Ichiban have more selections of fresh vegetables than Asia Oriental but if you want all the Asian sauces, Asia Oriental has a lot more than the other two.

Thanks for the names of those places. My sister will be so happy. She loves heat and she is always complaining about the lack of spicy food in BA.

 

[Jakoval]

You going to share your recipe? 😍

For the grilled chicken, try this:

🐔 Wichian Buri–Style Grilled Chicken​

Ingredients​

• 1 whole free-range chicken (about 1.2–1.5 kg), split in half
• 2–3 tbsp Thai garlic
• 1 tsp white peppercorns
• 2 coriander roots
• 2 tbsp light soy sauce
• 2 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tbsp seasoning sauce
• 1 tbsp palm sugar
• ½ tsp seasoning powder (optional)
• 2–3 tbsp plain milk (helps tenderize the meat)
• A little vegetable oil

---

Instructions​

1. Prepare the paste
   Pound the garlic, white peppercorns, and coriander roots until fine.
2. Marinate the chicken
   Mix the paste with light soy sauce, fish sauce, seasoning sauce, palm sugar, milk, and a little vegetable oil.
   Rub the marinade thoroughly over the chicken, especially under the skin and on the meat.
3. Marinating time
   Marinate for at least 3–4 hours.
   For the most authentic Wichian Buri flavor, marinate overnight in the refrigerator.
4. Grilling
   
   • Charcoal grilling is best, using medium to low heat.
   • Start grilling skin-side up, turning frequently to prevent burning.
   • Grill for about 40–50 minutes, until the skin is golden and crispy and the meat is juicy and cooked through.

Best Served With​

• Spicy Isan-style dipping sauce (Nam Jim Jaew)
• Thai or Lao papaya salad
• Hot sticky rice

🌶️ Nam Jim Jaew (Isan-Style Dipping Sauce)​

Ingredients​

• 2 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tbsp toasted rice powder (ข้าวคั่ว / khao khua)
• 1–2 tbsp lime juice (to taste)
• 1 tbsp tamarind juice (optional but traditional)
• 1 tsp palm sugar (or brown sugar)
• 1–2 tsp roasted chili flakes (adjust to spice level)
• 1 tbsp finely chopped shallots
• 1 tbsp finely chopped coriander leaves
• A pinch of ground white pepper (optional)

---

Instructions​

1. Mix the base
   In a bowl, combine fish sauce, lime juice, tamarind juice, and palm sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
2. Add texture & heat
   Add toasted rice powder and roasted chili flakes. Mix well.
3. Finish with herbs
   Stir in chopped shallots and coriander.
4. Taste & adjust
   Balance should be salty–sour–spicy with a mild sweetness. Adjust lime juice or fish sauce if needed.

---

🔥 Authentic Isan Tips​

• Use toasted rice powder freshly ground for best aroma.
• Shallots should be raw, not fried.
• The sauce should be slightly thick, not watery.
• No garlic — Nam Jim Jaew traditionally doesn’t include it.

 

[Johnny]

For the grilled chicken, try this:

🐔 Wichian Buri–Style Grilled Chicken​

Ingredients​

• 1 whole free-range chicken (about 1.2–1.5 kg), split in half
• 2–3 tbsp Thai garlic
• 1 tsp white peppercorns
• 2 coriander roots
• 2 tbsp light soy sauce
• 2 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tbsp seasoning sauce
• 1 tbsp palm sugar
• ½ tsp seasoning powder (optional)
• 2–3 tbsp plain milk (helps tenderize the meat)
• A little vegetable oil

---

Instructions​

1. Prepare the paste
   Pound the garlic, white peppercorns, and coriander roots until fine.
2. Marinate the chicken
   Mix the paste with light soy sauce, fish sauce, seasoning sauce, palm sugar, milk, and a little vegetable oil.
   Rub the marinade thoroughly over the chicken, especially under the skin and on the meat.
3. Marinating time
   Marinate for at least 3–4 hours.
   For the most authentic Wichian Buri flavor, marinate overnight in the refrigerator.
4. Grilling
   • Charcoal grilling is best, using medium to low heat.
   • Start grilling skin-side up, turning frequently to prevent burning.
   • Grill for about 40–50 minutes, until the skin is golden and crispy and the meat is juicy and cooked through.

Best Served With​

• Spicy Isan-style dipping sauce (Nam Jim Jaew)
• Thai or Lao papaya salad
• Hot sticky rice

🌶️ Nam Jim Jaew (Isan-Style Dipping Sauce)​

Ingredients​

• 2 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tbsp toasted rice powder (ข้าวคั่ว / khao khua)
• 1–2 tbsp lime juice (to taste)
• 1 tbsp tamarind juice (optional but traditional)
• 1 tsp palm sugar (or brown sugar)
• 1–2 tsp roasted chili flakes (adjust to spice level)
• 1 tbsp finely chopped shallots
• 1 tbsp finely chopped coriander leaves
• A pinch of ground white pepper (optional)

---

Instructions​

1. Mix the base
   In a bowl, combine fish sauce, lime juice, tamarind juice, and palm sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
2. Add texture & heat
   Add toasted rice powder and roasted chili flakes. Mix well.
3. Finish with herbs
   Stir in chopped shallots and coriander.
4. Taste & adjust
   Balance should be salty–sour–spicy with a mild sweetness. Adjust lime juice or fish sauce if needed.

---

🔥 Authentic Isan Tips​

• Use toasted rice powder freshly ground for best aroma.
• Shallots should be raw, not fried.
• The sauce should be slightly thick, not watery.
• No garlic — Nam Jim Jaew traditionally doesn’t include it.

Very good dishes. @Jakoval I was just in Thailand in November. My first time in over 15 years. I was born in Thailand. It felt good being home.

 

[ben]

Imagine I make a chicken stir fry and I want to put something in to make it spicey. I have tried every product from carrefour with the word "picante" in it, does nothing. I've asked multiple specialist shops if they have anything to make the food spicey, they all say si si si then sell me something that adds no spice

Imagine I am a very simple person looking for a very simple answer

Go to the shop ___ at the address ____ and buy a product called _______

If anyone can fill in the above sentence I will be so happy

Edit actually don't worry about the address I can use Google maps i didn't want to seem lazy

Buy some of this Lao Gan Ma Chili Oil. It is like crack! They sell it at



• Asia Oriental

• Casa China

• Ichiban

• Super ChungHwa

• Mercado chino

I put it in everything even sandwiches.