Oh, the burn!

Hot plate No. 2: Eddie on the uptake

The reaction: As the food arrives, Eddie is barely cognizant of the conversation at the table. His eyes are focused solely on the tasty-looking envelope as it is being unwrapped. At the first mouthful, he determines, “The peppers are only for flavor. There is hardly any heat. This wouldn’t even register on Scoville [the rating system for measuring spiciness].”

Burn factor: We have some doubts of the actual punch when the waitress herself looks unconvinced as she confirms that Nasi Bungkus should meet our needs for major spice.

Sweat factor: “It’s a two-beader.”

Cooling agent: An icy green jelly in coconut milk may be on the sweet side, but it mirrors the coconutty flavors in the Nasi Bungkus and cuts the heaviness of the dish.