9 hangover tips from restaurant chefs

Dry mouth, burning eyes, a pounding headache and yes, feeling a little nauseous too: no mistaking it, you have a hangover. And how do you get rid of it as quickly as possible? These professional chefs share their hangover food tips, so make the most of them. And: good luck.

That weird headache is because you’re dehydrated, the shawarma has turned your stomach into a dishwasher, your sore throat may have something to do with smoking outside (You had quit, right? Yes, but not this time) and your burning eyes were caused by a bet involving pickle juice and contact lenses. This hangover is epic and you want to get rid of it as quickly as possible, or at least find a little relief.

Don’t worry: these restaurant chefs are experts, they know what to do. Wondering why we listen to their advice: hello, have you never been to a post-closing drink?

Steak and fried eggs

‘A thick steak, fried eggs and hash browns are my hangover cures. I don’t know whether it’s because of the protein in the steak and eggs, or the fat they’re all fried in. Another handy thing: you can order it at most restaurants. A stack of pancakes for dessert and you’ll be back to your old self.’
Brian Jupiter – chef and owner of Ina Mae Tavern and restaurant Frontier in Chicago

Udon noodle soup

‘Udon noodles, especially the ones at Koya in Soho, help immediately. Luckily, this place opens early. A bowl of noodles is wonderfully warm and filling, and the spices and fresh ginger give you a boost. Add tea with honey and you’ve had enough calories to get you through the whole morning.’
Max Venning, owner of Top Cuvée in London

Sloppy Joe (and a beer)

‘In India, we always say that a beer is the best cure for a hangover. And it really works. If I want something to eat with it, I go for a Sloppy Joe. Nice and greasy—that always works. But my best tip remains that beer.’
Prashant Chipkar, chef and owner at Masti and Time Out Market in Dubai

Soup

‘The only thing that helps with a hangover is something made with stock. I love soup and stews; they’re the ultimate comfort food. The same goes for bacon. Salty, fatty bacon works really well against a hangover if you want to eat something quickly.’
Nyesha Arrington, Top Chef contestant, based in Los Angeles

Pho

‘The best hangover meal is pho! The savory beef broth with noodles that you slurp down, along with fresh herbs, brings you back to life. I make the pho really spicy, so it truly helps you recover.’
Chanthy Ten, founder of Touk, chef at Parliament Pub & Parlour in Montreal

Green smoothie

‘I’ve tried a lot, but my conclusion is that nothing really helps with a hangover. To ease the pain, I make a smoothie with coconut water and fruit, or a thick smoothie with dates, like our Boom Smoothie. I also always have a big plate of pasta if I feel I can keep it down.’
Heather Costa, chef and owner of Revolution Health Kitchen in Boston

Dim sum

‘I have two tips. The first is dim sum with ice-cold Coca-Cola. I order shrimp dumplings, scallop dumplings, chicken feet and steamed pork buns. The second tip is Colombian beef sancocho, a traditional soup with potato, yuca, green plantains, corn and a whole lot of cilantro. A dish that feels like a big hug!’
Cesar Zapata, chef at Phuc Yea and Pho Mo in Miami

Dahl and rice

‘Scrambled eggs on toast, with crispy bacon and baked beans—that’s the perfect hangover meal for me. And sometimes I eat dahl and white rice. It’s packed with vitamins and is the ultimate comfort food; it reminds me of my childhood in Bangalore.’
Avinash Shashidhara, chef at Pali Hill in London

A Mexican brunch

‘I really do my best to avoid getting a hangover—which is why I love tequila so much; it doesn’t leave you feeling rough the next day. If I have gone too far and feel wrung out from lack of sleep and too much eating and drinking, I swear by a hearty brunch. First I drink as much water as I can, or coffee, tea or fruit juice, and then halfway through the morning I make the perfect Mexican brunch. Something with eggs and an enormous amount of salsa. Chili peppers really work wonders: they’re packed with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Eat plenty, and you’re bound to feel better the next day.’
Thomasina Miers, creator of Wahaca in London

Read also:

• Eddie’s pet peeves: having a hangover when you really shouldn’t have one
• Why limoncello gives you horrific hangovers
• The bottomless pit you become when you have a hangover

Source: Time Out