Four Super-Spicy Seafood Boils in Boston and Beyond

Gulf Coast–style seafood boils are suddenly everywhere in Boston. Find the right bowl for you with this guide to the city’s spiciest sauces.


At Bootleg Special, Cajun seafood boils get a spirited twist from signature Moonshine sauce. / Photo by Adam DeTour

Moonshine sauce at Bootleg Special

Boils get bougie at this speakeasy-chic South End eatery, where a sauce of white wine, bourbon, and shallots soaks tasty snow-crab legs. Bonus points for bananas-Foster beignets.

Lemon-pepper sauce at Loui Loui

Opt for the “extra-hot” level of the perky lemon-pepper dressing at this Bay State–based chainlet, which brings spicy, Deep South–style jambalaya to Allston.

Seoul sauce at Shaking Crab

At this Newton-founded franchise, Cajun spices get a sweet, smoky kick from Korean gochujang, a fermented chili paste. It’s great in bags of Argentine shrimp with cool add-ons such as quail egg.

Garlic-butter sauce at Shaking Seafood

Roslindale’s new Shaking Seafood covers lobster, mussels, and more in mild, medium, or hot garlicky goodness. Feeling scorched? Cool your palate with coleslaw.

Read more: The New New England Seafood