The hottest food on the Chinese mainland is served in Hunan province, an online survey indicated.

The province became renowned for its chili-based dishes after the song "Spicy Girl", sung by Song Zuying, a native of Hunan province, became a nationwide hit.

The Hubei-based Chutian Metropolis Daily carried out the survey which saw Guizhou province come second.

The province's Laoganma brand chili sauce is a popular addition to any table across the country.

Chongqing municipality and Sichuan province in Southwest China tied for third place.

Both are known for their stir-fried bean curd in hot sauce.

Hubei province, with its hot duck neck dishes, guaranteed to keep the winter chill at bay, came next.