Chilli & Ink: Ready For Some Serious Heat?

Established in late 2012 by a group of friends sharing the same interests including mixed martial arts, spicy food and tattoos, Chilli & Ink is a unique dining and tattoo shop located in the emerging food district of Teachers' Village in Quezon City. Spicy chicken wings and tats, all in one place. Just can't get any better than that. 

Chilli & Ink's bright red interiors not only gives the place a cool vibe, but serves as a visual cue on Chilli & Ink's seriously spicy wings. Definitely not your fastfood variety spicy levels, Chilli & Ink goes for the real heat. As my sampler wings were being prepared, Chilli & Ink's Nachos served with Chilli Con Carne (P 180) arrived on the table. The Chilli Con Carne has a mild spiciness that gradually builds, a cool prelude to the spicy wings,

Then, my sampler selection of Chilli & Ink's signature wings arrived, ranging from mild spice levels to seriously spicy, guaranteed to put some hair on your chest. A side of garlic mayo dip is served to counter the spiciness.

I start with the Garlic Parmesan Wings and Spicy Mango Wings, perfectly crisp with rich and bold flavors. The Spicy Mango Wings delivers a unique sweet and spicy combo, great as is or with rice. Chilli & Ink also offers other cool flavors like Bagoong-Mango, Binagoongan and California Wings (coated with mango and wasabi).

Now, for the serious stuff. Chilli & Ink's spicy duo, the Hot ng Ina Nyong Lahat (Level 3 on Chilli & Ink's spice scale) and the Wasabi Wings. Chilli & Ink's spicy wings come in five different levels, starting with Hot ng Ina Mo (Level 1) to Hot ng Ina Nyong Lahat Challenge (Level 4), so choose your preferred level of heat. I go for Chilli & Ink's Level 3 wings, and seeing the wings covered in chili seeds almost made me pause for a moment. Using the local sili labuyo, the special sauce is aged with the seeds for concentrated flavors. A few bites of the Level 3 wings gradually built up the cooling heat, and a few more bites numbs your lips. Sensing a tear about to fall, I pull my head back and go for another bite. There's just something so refreshing, almost liberating, with spicy food. And the Wasabi Wings are no pushover, with each wing covered in pure wasabi enough to clear your sinus.

In the mood for fish? No problem, Chilli & Ink's got you covered. Chilli & Ink also serves crisp Fish Fillet with the same flavor, seasoning and spice levels of the wings. Chilli & Ink holds a challenge for its spicy wings, and displays the current winners in its Hall of Flames. The current record holder just wiped out six Level 4 wings in a whopping 49 seconds...for real.

After conquering Chilli & Ink's level 3 wings, reward yourself with a tat, or Chilli & Ink's signature Caramel Cupcake. Soft, creamy and sweet, a fitting end to Chilli & Ink's spicy wings.

Chilli & Ink's spicy wings are definitely worth trying, and worth a few tears. The spicy flavors are raw and pure, real and undiluted heat. And if you feel the need for some serious heat, this is the place, for tats or wings.  Special thanks to Avie Ellazar, Co-Owner and Marketing Head of Chilli & Ink for the extra tissues, and the awesome wings.