Heat Eaters

Heat Eaters is back! In the Season 3 premiere, Chef Esther Choi links up with K-Pop sensation Stray Kids for an unforgettable spicy Korean BBQ feast. The episode kicks off with a fiery tour of NYC’s KTown, where Esther and Camera Guy Bill sample spicy bites like Flamin' Hot Cheetos Rice Hot Dogs and jalapeño kimbap. Esther then heads to Ahgassi Gopchang (https://ahgassigopchangnyc.com), her favorite spot for gopchang - aka grilled Korean BBQ intestines, to meet Stray Kids and challenge their spice tolerance with her special hot sauce.

Chef Esther Choi teams up with her friend and food TV icon Adam Richman, an expert from The HISTORY Channel’s “The Food That Built America,” for a global spicy street food crawl in Jackson Heights, Queens. They kick things off with aguachiles drenched in a habanero mango sauce - the perfect spicy wake-up call for the day. Then onto classic NYC pizza with a Mexican twist: chicken tinga and al pastor topped with a creamy chiltepin hot sauce. The adventure continues at a Tibetan momo truck, where they try mom’s recipe for chili-drenched laphing and juicy dumplings. Finally, they finish strong with ghost pepper-infused Bangladeshi fuchka and jhalmuri, which leaves Adam in pure pain.

Chef Esther Choi is back for another spicy Thai adventure! Last year, Esther spent a month eating her way around Bangkok and Thailand, and now she’s on a mission to find that irresistible heat in her hometown of NYC. First stop: boat noodles, an iconic dish from Thailand's famous floating markets. Esther slurps down these flavorful noodles, using a spice-adjustable condiment caddy to add a variety of chilis. Next, she heads to one of her favorite spots, Fish Cheeks, where she’s joined by rapper Denzel Curry. Over a feast of regional Thai dishes, Denzel and Esther swap stories about their time in Thailand and his muay thai training. Then, it’s game on as they go head-to-head in a friendly eating showdown with the intensely spicy nam jim sauce.

From grab-n-go rolls you find at supermarkets, to high-end versions at sushi bars, the spicy tuna roll is seemingly everywhere. In today’s episode, Esther Choi investigates what makes this legendary sushi roll so beloved. First stop: Sunrise Mart, one of the most iconic Japanese marts in NYC, for spicy tuna rolls. Esther links up with her good friend Sakuri Yagi, whose family opened one of the first East Village sushi restaurants and helped kick-start the rise of sushi eating culture in the 1980s. Then, Esther heads to the legendary Michelin-starred Masa for an extraordinary spicy omakase experience. Master sushi chef Masa Takayama pulls out all the stops in an effort to “make Esther cry” - from wasabi-laced nigiri, an extra spicy habanero-jalapeno tuna roll, and culminating with Masa’s spiciest Japanese curry, leaving Esther gasping for water.

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?

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 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.

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?