I decided to call this my Gekikara ("super-spicy") series! Technically, this isn't the first entry.. it would be the second!

So, I heard that the curry at a place called "Ethiopia" might be the spiciest in Tokyo.

Boy were they (the claimant) wrong. I had their level 70 (the spiciest they had) and it was spicy, but nowhere near Bakudan-ya.
Not only that, but it was watery and basically tasted of one spice (I don't know the name), with no complexity or even a good flavor. It was horrible. I would never, ever recommend them. I can't even link them, it was that bad. ToT Not a contender at all. Then I went to an onigiri shop that supposedly served over 50 kinds of onigiri. They only had 32. They were also all normal or variants of normal+mayonnaise. The most unusual was "cheese" but it turned out to be cream cheese, which has all the novelty of mayonnaise (which is a normal ingredient in many onigiri here, to my dismay). Too bad. They were as disappointing as the curry shop.

So I headed off to browse the bookstores. And I hit JACKPOT! Sort of. I found a book called "Baka Kara Densetsu" (The Legend of the Stupidly-hot (food), I guess it translates to? I suck at translation..) At first I thought that this book was the answer to my prayers!! I mean, it lists what just might be the hottest foods in all of Tokyo! I am without doubt going to try them all, starting with the spiciest!

However, there is a section about the author. He claims that he is the king of all spicy foods, and nobody can beat him. He was also on a tv show competition for eating spicy food a few years ago. I... I've never been this jealous in my entire life! That title deserves to be mine! I'd die rather than admit defeat! (well, come close..) I guess that I was hiding under a rock too long! I wonder how to declare myself the reigning champion (and prove it). Maybe there isn't a way, but I think that I will declare it anyway! Let the challengers come! (and I'm appy to prove it anytime!!!!!!) 勝負だ！！！！ I think that I've just ignited my fiery spirit! But let it burn-- rest assured, I will not back down! (mwahahahaa!)

So eager to prove this! =D I really, really am excited about this! Speak, and the opportunities will come! So here starts GEKIKARA! Or JAMIEKARA! (hope I won't need surgery when this is all done!)

PS: I'm back in the studio and sensei says that this chapter we're working on is the most interesting in the whole history of the series. It sounds good so far... will know by the end of next week whether it lives up! =D

My to-do list (not counting the spicy-food thing):
* Work on prints and decide on printing option
* Flesh out book idea, etc.
* Work on my manga
* other (miscellaneous)
...sorry for the weird list! XD;;

I am on a quest to find the spiciest food in Tokyo!! Partly for my own personal benefit, and partly so that I can write a really awesome article for my Asahi Weekly column in a few months.

So today I started my quest. Just testing the waters, I was told of a place, Bakudan-ya, that has noodles that you can dip in a spicy sauce up to spice-level 20. I asked and they gave me level 200 instead, which is the highest they let you start out on.

Oh, it was hot, that's for sure! My sauce was completely red! But it wasn't HOT, if you know what I mean? They told me that the highest that they know of that someone has gone was level 400. Next time, I will definitely ask for 500. =D

Just remember to bring some milk, and you're all good!

I'm sure that there is more spicy stuff out there!! Cocos Curry level 10 down, Bakudanya level 200 down! Now on to the next! =D (and I will be going back to Bakudanya in Shinjuku later this month! Anyone want to come too?)