Picture this: you bite into something excitedly and realize it has a kick to it. Next, you try to wash it down with water (which doesn’t do anything, by the way). Maybe you even start sweating! Have you ever wondered what makes food so spicy? It’s capsaicin — a compound found in peppers that sets our taste buds on fire (and can be a little addictive too). “Pika” is the CHamoru word for spicy, so if you see it on the menu, prepare for some heat! Craving some pika pika? Here’s our list of fiery dishes guaranteed to spice up your life.
Papaya Salad (Thai Noodle Cuisine)
Papaya Salad — This salad isn’t just a cooling side dish; it can pack a punch! Choose your spice level (1-10, they’re not kidding about the 10!). The tangy-sweet sauce brings out the fiery chilies and complements the shredded papaya, lettuce, tomatoes and topped with peanuts for an extra crunch. But beware, the heat will linger.
Instagram: @thainoodlecuisine
Hours of Operation: Daily 11am – 9:30pm
Location: GR64+MGC, Tamuning, 96913, Guam
Dinanche’ Glazed Pork Chops (Meskla CHamoru Fusion Bistro)
Spice it up! Head on down to Meskla CHamoru Fusion Bistro and try their Dinanche’ Glazed Pork Chops. Indulge in tender grilled bone-in center-cut pork chops that are brushed with a local style pepper mash and finished with a creamy mushroom sauce. For a little extra spice, ask for more dinanche.’ This dish is one you won’t want to miss!
Instagram: @meskla
Hours of Operation: Monday – Saturday 11am – 2pm, 5:30pm – 9pm
Location: 130 E Marine Corps Dr, Hagåtña, 96910, Guam
Order delivery from Good to Go We Deliver
Pika Pika Pizza (Primo Pizzakaya)
Primo isn’t the first restaurant that comes to mind when you’re in the mood for spicy food. But this local pizzeria offers the Pika Pika Pizza, which has parmesan cheese, Portuguese sausage, bell peppers, and house hots. Now you might be wondering — what are the house hots? It’s Primo’s special hot sauce. The spiciness level ranges from mild, medium, hot, or fiya.
Instagram: @primoguam
Hours of Operation: Thursday - Tuesday 5pm – 10pm
Location: Pacific Place 1411 Pale San Vitores Ste 101, Tumon, 96913, Guam
Salsa (Caliente Mexican Taqueria)
Salsa with a serious kick! This gem isn’t a dish, but the fiery salsa will elevate anything you order. Two levels: mild and hot. The difference between mild and hot is huge. With the hot salsa, you’ll be sweating, your ears will be blowing smoke, and you’ll be breathing hard. Pro tip: mix mild and hot for the perfect pika balance. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!
Instagram: @calienteguam
Hours of Operation: Monday – Saturday 11am – 7pm
Location: 135 Archbishop Felixberto Camacho Flores St, Hagåtña, 96913, Guam
Onikara Ramen (Fuji Ichiban Ramen)
“Oni” means demon and “kara” means spicy, in Japanese. Enter the Onikara Ramen! The broth is made of three different peppers, unleashing a fiery wave that starts from your lips, down your throat to your gut. The menu even comes with a disclaimer: don’t order if you’re not a spicy food enthusiast. It’s not for the faint of heart (or stomach)!
Instagram: @fuji_ichiban_guam
Hours of Operation: Monday – Saturday 11am – 12am
Location: 932 Pale San Vitores Rd, Tamuning, 96913, Guam
Order delivery from Good to Go We Deliver
Spicy Sauce (Pochon Chicken)
This Korean fried chicken joint can dial up the heat. Choose your weapon: wings, drumsticks, or a mix box. Spice it up with their sauce, ranging from mild, medium to very — aka “we dare you” spicy. And what better way than to wash it down with a cold beer (or soda)?
Hours of Operation: Monday – Saturday 11am – 9pm
Location: 845 S Marine Corps Dr, Tamuning, 96913, Guam
Bún Bò Huế (Ma’s Kitchen)
You can put down the chili oil, because the Bún Bò Huế is the go-to noodle soup for pika enthusiasts, and it will satisfy your craving for comfort soup with a generous amount of heat. The beef shank is stewed for hours and served in a fiery red broth with rice noodles, pork sausage, and vegetables.
Instagram: @maskitchenguam
Hours of Operation: Tuesday – Saturday 11am – 7pm
Location: 267 Chalan San Antonio, Tamuning, 96913, Guam
Order delivery from Good to Go We Deliver
Sauteed Squid with Vegetables (Pacific Lighthouse)
Looking for a dish with just the right amount of spice? Head over to Pacific Lighthouse and try their sauteed squid with vegetables. Fresh squid and vegetables are cooked in a spicy yet savory sauce ready for you to dig in and enjoy. This is the perfect dish to satisfy your spicy craving without all the sweat and tears!
Hours of Operation: Monday – Saturday 11am – 8pm
Location: Chamorro Village, #108, Hagåtña, 96910, Guam
Kao Soi (Ban Thai)
This rich and creamy Northern Thai coconut curry soup is a must-try. Kao Soi is made with chicken and egg noodles simmered in a coconut curry soup garnished with lemon slices, chili peppers, red onions, pickled lettuce, shallots, and cilantro. This soup alone is enough to have you red and teary-eyed, but you can ask for Thai spicy...if you dare!
Instagram: @banthaiguam
Hours of Operation: Wednesday – Thursday 11am – 2pm, 4:30pm – 8:30pm
Friday - Saturday 11am – 2pm, 4:30pm – 9pm
Sunday – Monday 11am – 2pm, 4:30pm – 8:30pm
Location: 971 Pale San Vitores Rd, Tamuning, 96913, Guam
Bicol Express (Ben N' Yan's)
This traditional Filipino dish is sure to bring the heat! Bicol Express is a soup-like dish made with okra, eggplant, bitter melon, shrimp, pork pieces, and don’t forget – chili peppers all sauteed in coconut milk. This is the perfect comfort food that is creamy, savory, sweet, and of course spicy all in one!
Instagram: @bennyansrestaurant
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday 10am – 10pm, Saturday – Sunday 9am – 10pm
Location: 108 Manhattan Blvd. Army Drive, Dededo, 96929, Guam
