It's a good thing that Bandra's Heng Bok is completely empty when I walk in around 12.30 pm on a Monday to take part in the Korean eatery's Spicy Ramen Challenge. There will be no one to witness it in case my effort ends in abject humiliation. The rules are simple — finish a portion of ramen meant for two people on your own in 12 minutes to win a Rs 5,000 voucher. The manager does warn that the dish has been made extra spicy for the purpose of this challenge. But I tell myself, "Pshaw, what harm can that do to someone who tells pani puri wallahs, 'Sirf teekha dena'? This won't be a big deal. Bring it on!"

Eating like a pig

That sense of confidence is heightened further when the dish arrives. There are two options available for participants — veg and non-veg. It makes more sense to opt for the veg version considering it's a lighter meal. But such is the brashness with which I approach the task at hand that I ask for the one with pork after being goaded by a colleague accompanying me, so what if the fatty meat makes the dish heavier? In fact, it doesn't look like much when it's finally served. Sure, it's a big portion. But having strategically skipped breakfast, I'm so hungry that I could eat a horse. So I ask for the clock to be started and pick up a fork with the assurance of a cricketer facing a part-time bowler while batting on 99, ditching chopsticks despite a certain level of proficiency since it would only slow me down.