You probably think of Thailand, Mexico, or India when you think of spicy food. But every country has its own type of food that is considered spicy. For instance, Hawaiian cuisine is very hot and spicy with a kick. And somewhere in southern Asia, people snack on curry chicken, often as an appetizer.

Here Are the Countries That Has the Spiciest Meals:

• Mexico

Mexican cuisine is rich in flavours and textures. The country’s cuisine is similar to Spain, Italy, France, and North Africa but adapted to local ingredients. It is generally quite spicy, often with the smokiness from the use of chipotle peppers. Spicy food is everywhere in the world, but not every country has the same ingredients as it is used in Mexico. Mexico’s cuisine is well known for its bright, sour, and spicy flavours that are found in Mexican foods. The spiciness of Mexican foods varies based on ingredients such as sauces, peppers, and spices, which all contribute to the uniqueness of Mexican dishes.

• Thailand  

Thai food is one of the most popular cuisines in the world, and Thai dishes are full of pungent, spicy heat. Thai food is rumoured to have even inspired certain cocktails. When making Thai food at home, be mindful to leave out a few ingredients: the spiciness of Thai food comes from the combination of peppers, chilies, ginger, and garlic, and all of them have different levels of spiciness. Thailand has a number of popular dishes that are said to spice up your life, including tom yum goong, mango with sticky rice, and pad see ew. But do these food offerings really pack the punch that they advertise? According to a new analysis of spicy foods around the world published in the journal PLOS One, there are actually many more spicy foods to be found in Thailand than one might think.

• India

One of the great things about traveling is that you get to experience all the local cuisine. When you travel to India, you can expect to find lots of curry, lentils, and rice dishes. While many dishes originate from India, spices and ingredients from India are found all over the world, and many places mix up their recipes with Indian flavours. An Indian meal is a meal of many different dishes, and most Indian meals have lots of different spices. The spicy flavours of Indian food are legendary, and with good reason. Indian cuisine is made with the freshest ingredients and bursts with intense flavours. The spices in Indian cooking are numerous, complex, and distinct, and as a whole, they make their traditional dishes incredibly nutritious, delicious, and hard to resist. Not all Indian cuisines are spicy, but the majority are, and the best restaurants are the ones that know how to balance their spices for maximum flavour.

•  Malaysia 

Malaysian cuisine is known for its spiciness, apparent in the country’s curry dishes. This spice likely originated with the country’s mix of Indian and Malay influences, though it’s now found throughout the Malay world. The spicy dishes in Malaysian cuisine are so famous that they’re often referred to by the country’s name, “Malaysia,” since the word is unfamiliar to English speakers.

• Korea 

It’s no surprise that South Korea has some of the top spicy foods in the world. In fact, Korean food has even been called “the world’s hottest cuisine.” Not only is Korean food known for its fiery spice, but it’s also delicious—especially if you’re a fan of spicy foods. If you like your food on the spicy side, you’ll want to eat at these top restaurants in Korea to get the most bang for your buck.

• China

If you’re in the mood for a spicy meal, China is likely the country for you. More than half of the Chinese population loves spicy food, and about 25% of them claim to be “really” spicy food lovers. In fact, spicy food is a big part of local culture in China, and spicy food-related dishes are eaten at nearly every meal. The spiciest food consumed in China is Sichuan style, typically made with chili peppers, chili powder, onions, and garlic. While most dishes are red in colour, you can also find green, white, and yellow spicy dishes.

• Jamaica 

While much of the world enjoy eating food that is less spicy than the curries and vindaloos of India, the Caribbean region—which includes Jamaica—is home to some of the spiciest dishes in the world. If you visit Jamaica, you will find food so spicy that locals can get away with eating habanero peppers and ginger or garlic as a meal.

When it comes to food and spice, many cultures like to add a lot of heat. With international cuisine, it makes sense that some countries would specialize in hotter foods than others.