Trendwatch: Sriracha

Sriracha is a staple in our kitchens, adding the perfect amount of spice to just about any dish, whether its cocktails, pizza, eggs, or Brussels sprouts. But we aren’t the only ones capitalizing on the fiery sauce, In fact, Chefs all over the city routinely use Sriracha in marinades, ceviches, Bloody Mary’s, remoulades, frying batter, and more. We’ve stumbled upon several Sriracha-laced dishes lately, from Go Burger’s Sriracha milkshake to the Mango Sriracha cocktail at Momofuku’s Ssäm Bar. It may be summer, but we certainly aren’t scared of a little added heat.

Big D’s Grub Truck: Sriracha Wings
Address: Mon: 53rd & Lexington Ave.
Tues: FiDi at Water St & Front St.
Wed: 26th St. btwn 11th and 12 Ave.
Thurs: 50th St btwn 6th and 7th Ave.
Fri: World Financial Center
Phone: (646) 54-2443
Website: bigdsgrub.com
It’s difficult to pass up a basket of hot wings, but even more difficult to turn down Sriracha Wings from Big D’s Grub Truck. The Korean food truck’s über-spicy wings are lightly battered, fried, and coated in a Sriracha-spiked hot sauce. They’ve got all the crispiness and grease we’ve come to expect from good wings, plus the subtly sweet and spicy tang of Sriracha. They’re only available as a special, so check out Big D’s Twitter feed(@bigdsgrub) before staking out a truck near you.

Respite: Chilled Oysters with Basil Caviar, Mango Sorbet, Sriracha Mignonette
Address: 247 E. 50th St
. btwn 3rd Ave & 2nd Aves.
Phone: (212) 755-2470
Website: restaurantrespite.net
While most restaurants pair their oysters with lemon, cocktail sauce, and mignonette, Respite spices up their options with a little Southeast Asian inspiration. Oysters arrive artfully shucked and reliably fresh, with a side of Sriracha-infused mignonette, all on a bed of basil caviar and mango sorbet.
Schnitzel & Things: Sriracha Mayonnaise (SchnitzelTopping)
Address: 723 3rd Ave. (between 45th & 46th streets)
Phone: (212) 905-0000
Website: schnitzelandthings.com
Schnitzel, a cutlet pounded thin, smothered in breadcrumbs, and fried, is a variety of fast food that doesn’t get enough attention. The Austrian delicacy is perfect for on-the-go eating, and, as Schnitzel & Things has proven, easily customizable. Though schnitzel is traditionally paired with a lemon wedge and potatoes with butter and parsley, Schnitzel & Things offers funkier options like their Sriracha mayonnaise. It’s a killer spice infusion in each bite. Whether you’re ordering from their truck or waiting in a cafeteria-style line at their casual restaurant, the schnitzel options range from cod, pork, chicken, veal, eggplant, or even burger patties…all available with Sriracha mayonnaise of course.

Perry St.: Rice Cracker-Encrusted Tuna with Sriracha-Citrus Emulsion
Address: 176 Perry St., btwn. Washington & West Sts.
Phone: (212) 352-1900
Website: www.jean-georges.com
Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten has vaunted Sriracha’s merits for years, so it comes as no surprise to see it on his menu at Perry St. Vongerichten uses the spicy sauce to create a delicate balance to the Cracker-Encrusted Tuna, adding heat without overpowering the tuna. The Sriracha-citrus emulsion is reminiscent of a spicy mayo, but arguably better. Thick and creamy, the blend of acidity and spice from the Sriracha and from the citrus is surprisingly delicate when paired with the tuna.

Rick’s Picks: Spicy Sriracha-Habenero Pickles
Address: 195 Chrystie St., btwn Rivington & Delancey Sts.
Phone: (212) 358-0428
Website: rickspicksnyc.com
Pickles are the perfect snack in our opinion, made even better with the addition of some serious heat. And the Sriracha-Habanero Pickles at Rick’s Picks bring the heat. Brined in Sriracha, the irresistible pickles guarantee that they’ll satisfy your hankering for heat with each salty, spicy crunch.

Go Burger: Fiery Berry Crumble Milkshake
Address: 1448 2nd Ave., btwn 75th and 76th St. (multiple locations)
Phone: (212) 988 9822
Website: e2hospitality.com/go-burger
Strawberries, graham cracker crumbs, and ice cream…all ingredients you might expect to find in a milkshake. But Sriracha? That’s a game changer. Enter Go Burger’s Fiery Berry Crumble Milkshake. While some may shy away from hot sauce in a milkshake, we were quick slurp down the inventive blend of Sriracha, vanilla, strawberries, and salty graham cracker crumbs. The effect is cool and hot, smooth and crunchy, sugary and savory. And though it isn’t always on the menu, diners can still order the sweet-and-spicy shake specialty by request.

Momofuku Ssäm Bar – Mango Sriracha Cocktail
Address: 207 Second Ave. at 13th St.
Phone: (212) 254-3500
Website: momofuku.com
Bartenders Chris Harrington and John DeBary spice up their cocktails, daily, with a dash of Sriracha bitters. The Mango Sriracha Cocktail combines Sriracha bitters with fresh mango puree, lime juice, cane syrup, and bourbon. The bitters add some welcome heat to the fruity mix, accentuating the tart lime juice and citric undertones of the mango puree.

Brooklyn Wok Shop: Sriracha-lada
Address: 182 N. 10th St.
Phone: (347) 889 7992
Website: brooklynwokshop.com
An Asian twist on the Mexican Michelada (a beer cocktail with lime juice, tomato juice, and assorted spices), the Sriracha-lada at Brooklyn Wok Shop speaks for itself. With a salt rim, pilsner beer, tomato juice, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and lime juice, the Sriracha-lada is refreshing, spicy, and savory, all in one sip.