Peri Peri Heat Guide: Which Flavour Should You Order?

What Makes MooMoo's Peri Peri Different?

Most peri peri restaurants use an off-the-shelf marinade. At MooMoo Grill the sauce is made in-house, which means each heat level has its own distinct character rather than simply being hotter in a one-dimensional way. The premium chicken marinates before it hits the flame grill, giving you crispy charred edges and a juicy interior that carries the flavour all the way to the bone — everything is made fresh to order so nothing ever sits under a heat lamp.

MooMoo Grill holds a 5-star food hygiene rating from Leicester City Council and a 4.7-star Google rating from over 441 reviews. Every item on the menu is 100% halal, including all peri grill chicken.

The Seven Peri Peri Heat Levels — Mildest to Hottest

Here is every flavour in order, with tasting notes to help you decide. Heat is personal, so lean one level lower than you think you need on your first visit.

• Lemon & Herbs — No heat at all. Bright, zesty lemon with fragrant herb notes and a light garlicky finish. Perfect for children, anyone avoiding spice, or anyone who wants clean, fresh flavour.
• Mild — A faint tingle on the lips with warm, earthy undertones. Great for first-timers curious about peri flavour but cautious about chilli.
• Medium — Noticeable warmth that builds gradually without becoming uncomfortable. The go-to level for most regular customers and a safe starting point if you enjoy mildly spiced food.
• Hot — A proper heat that lingers after each bite. The chilli is upfront and the marinade takes on a deeper, more complex character. Suited to confident spice eaters.
• Lemon Hot — The Hot level with a bright citrus lift cutting through the fire. The lemon sharpens the heat so it feels vibrant and punchy rather than just hot.
• Smokey BBQ — Gentle-to-medium heat paired with rich, smoky barbecue notes. The sweet spot if you love BBQ flavour but also want some peri character.
• BBQ Hot — The hottest flavour on the menu. Combines the smokiness of Smokey BBQ with serious chilli heat. For experienced spice lovers only.

First-Timer Advice: How to Choose Your Heat Level

If you have never tried peri peri chicken before, start at Mild or Medium. These two levels give you the full flavour experience — the marinade, the char, the juiciness — without overwhelming your palate. You can always go hotter on your next visit once you know where your threshold sits.

If you are used to eating spicy food regularly, jump straight to Hot. Medium will likely feel too gentle. If you are dining with a group, ordering a couple of different heat levels between the table is a great way to compare and find your favourite — and it doubles the fun. Because every dish is made fresh to order, the kitchen can prepare each portion to a different heat level without any fuss.

Pairing Heat Levels with Wings, Strips and Whole Chicken

Chicken wings are ideal for testing a new heat level without committing to a large portion. Lemon Hot and Hot both work brilliantly on wings because the bone-in cut stays moist even with a punchy marinade. See the full menu for today's prices on individual and shareable wing portions.

Chicken strips in 3, 5 or 10-piece portions are a leaner cut, which makes the heat feel slightly less intense per bite. Medium and Smokey BBQ are particularly popular on strips.

For a whole grilled chicken or a sharing feast combo, Medium is the safest choice for a mixed crowd. You can always split a half chicken across two flavour levels to keep everyone happy. All chicken is sourced fresh and prepared using only premium chicken, so the quality shines through whatever heat level you choose.

Cool It Down: Fries, Dips and the MOOshake Fix

Dairy is the most effective way to neutralise peri peri heat — which is why a handmade MOOshake is the ideal companion for a spicy order. Choose from Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry, Ferrero Rocher, Oreo, Kinder Bueno or Lotus Biscoff. The creaminess coats your mouth and dials back the burn between bites.

Regular fries help pace a spicy meal too, and adding a pot of homemade garlic mayo — one of MooMoo's range of in-house sauces — gives you a cool, creamy dip to buffer the heat when it builds. Check the menu for current prices on sides and dips.

Opening Hours and How to Order

MooMoo Grill is open late every day. Hours are Monday to Thursday 11:30am until midnight, Friday 3pm until 1am, Saturday 12pm until 1am, and Sunday 1pm until midnight. Dine in at 84 Narborough Rd, Leicester LE3 0BS, call 0116 212 1585 to collect (usually ready in minutes), or order delivery via Just Eat or Uber Eats. The restaurant sits on Narborough Road in Leicester's West End, a short walk from De Montfort University and near King Power Stadium.

Frequently asked questions