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Published on Leave a comment on Chuannan Chili Oil Crisp

This Chuannan Chili Oil Crisp was an impulse buy at a local Asian market. The label didn't disclose much, being there was nothing in English except for an adhesive label with nutritional information on the back. A web search was necessary just to find out the brand name. What we could see through the glass looked promising, so we took a chance, and were pleasantly surprised.

Chuan Nan Sichuan Chili Oil Crisp jar

Translating the label, the vertical ribbon says "Authentic Sichuan flavor". The oval logo and top line both read Chuān Nán or "Southern Sichuan", while the large characters read "Spicy oil" or "Chili oil". The line below that appears to mean "For mixing with vegetables and noodles", a serving suggestion, we assume.

Main Flavor Elements
  • Chili
  • Peanut
  • Scallion
  • Sichuan peppercorn
Snapshot
  • Base oil(s): Rapeseed (canola)
  • Solids to oil ratio: High
  • Flavor Enhancer: MSG, (I+G)
  • Potential allergens: Soy, peanut
  • Storage: Keep in cool, dry place. Refrigerate after opening.
Our Impressions
  • Heat level: Off the chart
  • Texture: Crunchy
  • Saltiness: Moderately high (492 mg. per 30 gm.)

If you like the heat of chili pepper and the numbing effect of Sichuan peppercorn, this Chuannan Chili Oil Crisp is for you. Made in the bold you lazi style, a mere teaspoon will make your eyes water and your pate perspire. You may even sneeze if you taste it by itself.

The major crunch comes from whole soybeans, while finer solids in the form of pepper, peanut and spring onion round out the texture and flavor. And, of course, there's that powerful and lingering Sichuan peppercorn.

A teaspoon or so mixed into a bowl of hot noodles on a cold day will warm you up and clear your sinuses at the same time.

While this one's intensity might not make it a daily driver, it's certainly worthy of shelf space in a chili crisp lover's arsenal.

Ingredients

Rapeseed oil, chili, soybean, salt, peanut, scallion, white sugar, MSG, disodium 5'-ribonucleotide, edible favors and spices

More Information

Brand: SIchuan Weihong Food Co, Ltd. / Chuannan
Style: Southern Sichuan Chili Crisp
Price paid: $5 / 9.24oz.
Country of Origin: China
Manufacturer website:
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Published on Leave a comment on Lao Gan Ma Fried Chili in Oil

This Lao Gan Ma Fried Chili in Oil is a counterpart to its chili crisp sibling. While Lao Gan Ma Spicy Chili Crisp has a complexity all its own, this one offers a slightly different take more reminiscent of Sichuan chili crisps. While it characterizes itself as a chili oil, we classify it with chili crisps due to its preponderance of solids.

Lao Gan Ma Fried Chili in Oil jar
Lao Gan Ma Fried Chili in Oil sample
Main Flavor Elements
  • Chili
  • Peanut
  • Sugar
  • Prickly ash (see below)
Snapshot
  • Base oil(s): Soybean
  • Solids to oil ratio: Moderately high
  • Flavor Enhancer: MSG
  • Potential allergens: Soy, peanut
  • Storage: Refrigerate after opening
Our Impressions
  • Heat level: Medium
  • Texture: Chunky, chewy
  • Saltiness: Low to medium (170mg. per 30gm.)

Here, we have peanuts replacing the fermented soybean of the Spicy Chili Crisp. We also have the addition of prickly ash powder, which brings a subtle numbing effect similar to sichuan peppercorn.

What is prickly ash, you ask? Well, it's related to sichuan peppercorn, both being derived from plants in the genus Zanthoxylum. To illustrate the difference, it may be said that all Sichuan peppercorn is a type of prickly ash, but not all prickly ash is Sichuan peppercorn.

If you're a fan of what prickly ash brings to a chili crisp recipe, it's commonly available powdered in the spice aisle of Asian markets.

Ingredients

Soybean oil, chili, peanut, MSG, salt, sugar, prickly ash powder, sulfur dioxide, sodium sulfite

Update

It would appear that prickly ash powder has been eliminated from the formula for this product.

More Information

Brand: Lao Gan Ma
Style: Fried Chili in Oil
Price paid: $4.49 / 7.41oz.
Country of Origin: China
Manufacturer website: laoganmausa.com
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Published on Leave a comment on Mishima Chef Troy’s Recipe Crunchy Garlic Chili Sauce

From Thailand, Mishima Chef Troy's Recipe Crunchy Garlic Chili Sauce is made in the taberu rayu style, heavy on the garlic and the aromatic solids. It was purchased after reading favorable reviews elsewhere.

Main Flavor Elements
  • Garlic
  • Onion
  • Sugar
  • Salt
  • Chili
  • Soy Sauce
Snapshot
  • Base oil(s): Soybean, sesame
  • Solids to oil ratio: High
  • Flavor Enhancer: Natural
  • Potential allergens: Soy, wheat, sesame
  • Storage: Refrigerate after opening
Our Impressions
  • Heat level: Mild
  • Texture: More chewy than crunchy
  • Saltiness: Moderate (350 mg. per 15 gm.)

We liked Mishima Chef Troy's Recipe Crunchy Garlic Chili Sauce a lot. It checks multiple savory and umami flavor boxes. The various components are well-balanced and play together nicely. If we had to quibble about anything it would be that 1) it's relatively expensive for what you get, the smallish 4 oz. jar averages around $8 if purchased individually, and 2) the small jar mouth makes re-mixing the solids difficult.

Ingredients

Soybean Oil, Garlic,Sesame Oil, Onion, Sugar, Salt, Chili, Soy Sauce, Yeast Extract, Citric Acid, Paprika Extract. Allergy Information: Contains Soy and Wheat

More Information

Brand: Mishima Foods
Style: Taberu rayu
Price paid: $6.79 / 4oz.
Country of Origin: Thailand
Manufacturer website: https://mishima.com/
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Published on Leave a comment on S&B Crunchy Garlic with Chili Oil – Mild

S&B Crunchy Garlic with Chili Oil is from Japan. While similar in many ways to traditional Chinese chili crisps, it has its own sensibility that is distinctively Japanese.

S&B Crunchy Garlic with Chili Oil label
S&B Crunchy Garlic with Chili Oil - Mild sample
Main Flavor Elements
  • Chili pepper
  • Fried garlic
  • Sesame oil
  • Monosodium glutamate
  • Onion powder
  • Salt
  • Sugar
  • Soy sauce powder
  • Chili paste
  • Fried onion
  • Almond
  • Ground sesame seeds
Snapshot
  • Base oil(s): Corn, sesame
  • Solids to oil ratio: High
  • Flavor Enhancer: MSG (I+G)
  • Potential allergens: Soy, wheat
  • Storage: "Consume soon after opening"
Our Impressions
  • Heat level: Mild
  • Texture: Satisfyingly crunchy
  • Saltiness: Moderately high (540 mg. per 30 gm.)

As with many taberu rayu, the crunch is the thing, and this one's got it. As expected, the main flavor here is garlic, and there are plenty of crunchy fried slivers in the mix.

The crunch to oil ratio is quite high, similar to that of the Lao Gan Ma chili crisp. Refrigerated, it almost turns into a solid.

What we enjoyed about it most was the combination of ingredients giving it a peanut-y character, even though there are no peanuts in it. We also found this to be true of the Momoya Chili Oil with Fried Garlic, which we very much liked. Both are similar, although the S&B has a tad more chili flavor.

As the label notes, heat-wise it is mild. A "spicy" version also exists for those who want a little more heat.

Ingredients

Corn oil, Chili pepper, Fried garlic, Sesame oil, Monosodium glutamate, Onion powder, Salt, Sugar, Soy sauce powder (Soy sauce [Soybeans, Wheat, Salt], Dextrin, Salt), Chili paste (Chili pepper, Salt, Rice), Fried onion, Almond, Ground sesame seeds, Disodium guanylate, Disodium inosinate, Mixed tocopherols.

Revised Formula

A "new formula" of the S&B Mild version removes the almond in favor of extra onion and an adjustment of the ratios of some of the other ingredients. It has the same UPC code, so it is a replacement, not a new variant. It will also be about 11% lower in sodium. Fortunately, it doesn't appear to detract from the satisfying level of crunch. Jars with "best by" dates of November 11, 2026 and after will contain the new formulation.

Available on Amazon.

More Information

Brand: S&B Foods, Inc.
Style: Taberu rayu
Price paid: $7.49 / 3.88oz.
Country of Origin: Japan
Manufacturer website: https://www.sbfoods-worldwide.com/lp/us/umamitopping/
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Published on Leave a comment on Fly By Jing Sichuan Chili Crisp – Original
Fly By Jing Sichuan Chili Crisp current label
Fly By Jing Sichuan Chili Crisp - Original sample

Fly By Jing Sichuan Chili Crisp - Original is one of the spicier takes on the condiment. It is based on a blend of rapeseed (canola) and soybean oils. Its "original" version packs a significant amount of heat due to the Sichuan peppercorn content, which can have a numbing effect on the lips and tongue. This effect is considered a positive.

Main Flavor Elements
  • Dried Chili Pepper
  • Preserved Black Bean
  • Garlic
  • Sesame Oil
  • Salt
  • Shallots
  • Ginger
  • Mushroom Powder
  • Sichuan Pepper
  • Seaweed Powder
  • Spices
Snapshot
  • Base oil(s): Canola, soybean
  • Solids to oil ratio: Medium
  • Flavor Enhancer: Natural
  • Potential allergens: Sesame
  • Storage: Refrigerate after opening
Our Impressions
  • Heat level: Hot
  • Texture: Mildly crunchy
  • Saltiness: Moderate (390 mg. per 30 gm.)

Fly By Jing Sichuan Chili Crisp - Original is perhaps the most visible brands of sichuan chili crisps, due to its availability at even Walmart. A collaboration with the Fishwife brand of premium tinned seafoods also brought it higher awareness in that popular market segment.

The ratio of crunchy bits to oil is lower in the Fly By Jing. The solids are also much finer than others compared here. Some are even powdery fine, giving it a muddy consistency. As such, you'll really want to stir it up well, right before serving. Each and every time you spoon some out, in fact. The serving size is a spare one teaspoon. You'll likely use more than that. Maybe not two tablespoons, but certainly more than just a teaspoon.

Ingredients

Non-GMO Rapeseed oil, Non-GMO Soybean oil, Dried Chili Pepper, Preserved Black Bean, Garlic, Sesame Oil, Salt, Shallots, Ginger, Mushroom Powder, Sichuan Pepper, Seaweed Powder, Spices

More Information
Fly By Jing Sichuan Chili Crisp old label

You may encounter an earlier version of the Original label, which, as of this writing, is still within "sell by" dating. It contains a considerable amount of verbiage about the creator, Jing "Jenny" Gao, her name and her life experience. The updated label has eliminated that and the ambiguity of the former, now stating "Original" clearly.

In addition to the Original, there are also Sweet & Spicy, Xtra Crunchy and Xtra Spicy versions. Original and Sweet & Spicy are considered "medium". The Xtra Crunchy is "mild", and the Xtra Spicy is "very spicy". Notably, but inconspicuously, MSG is absent in all versions, its umami role replaced by mushroom powder.

Available at Amazon.

Brand: Fly By Jing
Style: Chili crisp
Price paid: $9.39 / 6oz.
Country of Origin:
Manufacturer website: 
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Published on Leave a comment on Lao Gan Ma Spicy Chili Crisp

In 1984, Chinese restaurateur Tao Huabi is said to have conceived the recipe for what would later become Lao Gan Ma Spicy Chili Crisp. Initially, she sold it in her shop in Guizhou. Then, in 1997, she began the first commercial production of chili crisp under the Lao Gan Ma ("Old Godmother") brand. It quickly became popular and, eventually, a Chinese pantry staple.

Lao Gan Ma Spicy Chili Crisp label
Lao Gan Ma Spicy Chili Crisp sample

If you go looking for it, note that some Asian markets carry the product with the Chinese labeling, or sometimes both. We found out there's actually a slight difference, explained here. So, you may have to look at the back of the jar for an applied English label to make sure what you're buying.

Main Flavor Elements
  • Chili pepper
  • Crunchy fried onion
  • Fermented soybean
  • MSG
  • Salt
  • Sugar
Snapshot
  • Base oil(s): Soybean
  • Solids to oil ratio: Very high
  • Flavor Enhancer: MSG
  • Potential allergens: Soy
  • Storage: Refrigerate after opening
Our Impressions
  • Heat level: Low to medium
  • Texture: Crunchy
  • Saltiness: Moderate (340 mg. per 30 gm.)

Lao Gan Ma Spicy Chili Crisp is heavy on the crisp. It has a much higher ratio of crunchy components to oil than some or maybe even most others. It lacks the numbing heat of Sichuan peppercorn, but that's not to say it's not hot. But, compared to some, it is relatively quite mild. Its flavor profile skews heavily toward the onion.

Most chili crisps direct you to stir the contents before serving because the crunchy parts settle to the bottom. This is less-so with Lao Gan Ma because it is more crunch than oil. The serving size listed is a hefty two tablespoons.

Lao Gan Ma also markets a similar product called Fried Chili in Oil. Basically, it removes the fermented soybeans and replaces the onion with peanuts for a different kind of crunch. We like it as well.

Ingredients

Soybean Oil, Chili, Onion, Fermented Soybean (Soybean, Water), Monosodium Glutamate, Salt, Sugar, Pepper Powder, Sulfur Dioxide, Sodium Sulfite.

More Information

Brand: Lao Gan Ma
Style: Chili crisp
Price paid: $4.49 / 7.41oz.
Country of Origin: China
Manufacturer website: laoganmausa.com
Social media:

Available at Amazon.