To mark National Curry Week on the 6th-12th October 2025, food box delivery service HelloFresh has surveyed Brits to discover which cities can handle the hottest curry.
The results reveal Manchester are the true spice champions, with 17% of respondents naming Phall, the world’s hottest curry, as their favourite. Phall can exceed 350,000 Scoville units, putting Manchester firmly at the top of the nation’s heat rankings.
Liverpool and Norwich come in joint second for ordering Phall, with 5% of residents in each city admitting they can handle a Phall. Newcastle secures third place, with 4% of people voting for it as their favourite.
Top 10 Cities That Can Handle the Hottest Curries
| City | Preferred Hottest Curries % |
| 1. Manchester | 43% |
| 2. Liverpool | 21% |
| 3. Cardiff | 18% |
| 4. London | 13% |
| 5. Newcastle | 12% |
| 6. Bristol | 9% |
| 7. Leeds | 8% |
| 8. Glasgow | 7% |
| 9. Birmingham | 6% |
| 10. Sheffield | 6% |
Cities were judged on how many locals favoured Vindaloo and Phall, proving where in the UK people are most willing to brave the two hottest curries.
When it comes to the second hottest curry, Vindaloo, which averages around 100,000-250,000 Scoville units, Manchester again leads the way, with 26% of respondents choosing the spicy classic.
Cardiff and Liverpool share second place, with 16% of curry lovers in each city choosing Vindaloo. Nottingham comes in third, with 10%. Liverpool’s repeated appearance highlights its city’s impressive tolerance for heat.
For those who prefer a slightly milder spice, the Madras proves popular. Belfast tops the list here, with 25% naming it their favourite, notably the only city without any respondents selecting Phall or Vindaloo. Southampton and Leeds share second place for Madras, with 21%, while Bristol comes third with 20%.
At the other end of the spice spectrum, Glasgow shows a clear preference for milder curries, with 29% of respondents opting for a Korma, more than double any other city. For Tikka Masala and Butter Chicken, Edinburgh leads the nation, with 40% choosing the milder favourites, suggesting Scots may favour flavour over heat.
Mimi Morley, Senior Recipe Development Manager at HelloFresh, commented:
“Spicy food has some nutritional benefits that are often overlooked. Chilli peppers are packed with vitamin E, as well as vitamins A, B6, K, iron and fibre.
If you want to explore spicier cuisines like Indian, it’s best to start small and gradually build up your tolerance. For example, rather than ordering a Tikka Masala, you might try a Saag or Rogan Josh, which are slightly spicier without being overwhelming.
Never force yourself if you can’t handle the heat. A simple trick is to drizzle yoghurt over your curry, which helps cool things down. If you’re cooking at home, you can also reduce the amount of chilli in the recipe without compromising flavour.”
If you’d like to make your own Indian curry at home, visit HelloFresh
Taste Your Way Through Europe: The Ultimate Culinary Escape Guide
