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Published on Leave a comment on Hot Crispy Oil – Original

This Hot Crispy Oil - Original was found at Home Goods, which sometimes has a stray jar or two of such condiments. It was priced at $9.99 with the notation "compare at $13.00". We've found the comparison prices there to often be inflated above what a product typically sells for, and sometimes even the sale price is no better than purchasing through the item's regular channels. An online search in this case found a prevailing price of $14.99, so, apparently, we did OK.

Hot Crispy Oil - Original jar
Main Flavor Elements
  • Garlic
  • Onion
  • Chili pepper
Snapshot
  • Base oil(s): Olive
  • Solids to oil ratio: Moderately high
  • Flavor Enhancer: N/S
  • Potential allergens: N/S
  • Storage: Store in cool, dry place
Our Impressions
  • Heat level: Moderate
  • Texture: Large, crispy solids
  • Saltiness: Very low (50mg. per 14gm.)

We could see through the glass the solids were huge. Slivers of garlic and slices of shallot, not just small chopped up pieces. They had settled to the bottom two thirds of the jar, but stirring them up a bit held them in a homogenous suspension long enough to spoon out a portion representative of all the ingredients.

The first taste of a small spoonful was revealing. The chili heat didn't hit until the back of the throat, where at first it seemed a bit mild. We were really amped about the very macro-style solids. The garlic and onion flavors are very forward, but we couldn't help thinking how much more umami they could have brought to the party with the addition of some kind of flavor enhancer, or even just a tad more salt. But they were quite crispy, as the name promises.

With a subsequent spoonful, the chili heat became cumulative, more pronounced, and we had to take a moment to fight off a sneeze attack. We assume consumption with food will mitigate this effect. The label only says "proprietary dried hot chili pepper blend" and "red pepper flakes", but doesn't specify what peppers are involved. We're also led to wonder how much hotter the "Hot" version is.

Cane sugar is listed, but we wouldn't characterize the product as sweet. We thought a little more might have actually gone along way to overcome a slight bitter aftertaste that we attributed to the shallots.

We noted the label indicates ground ginger and cumin, but even though we tried really hard, we weren't able to detect a meaningful contribution from either of them. They're last on the list, so the amounts must be minimal.

Re: Olive Oil

Olive oil is an unusual base for chili crisp/chili oil products, and we're not sure how we feel about it. Products including it that we've tried in the past have been "Made in USA", and with a focus on healthier ingredients, no allergens, no artificial flavor enhancers, vegan, etc. They lacked the chili heat of this one, though, so perhaps it was their blandness rather than the olive oil that makes us question its use in this application.

We usually think of chili crisps as having more chili solids than this product. That, and the olive oil lead us put this one in the "new wave" category.

All things considered, we're glad we were able to give this one a try. But we doubt we'll go looking to spend $15 for more of it.

Ingredients

Olive oil, fried garlic, fried shallots, proprietary dried hot chili pepper blend, red pepper flakes, cane sugar, paprika, salt, ground ginger, cumin

More Information

Brand: Hot Crispy Oil, LLC
Style: New wave
Price paid: $9.99 / 6oz.
Country of Origin: USA
Manufacturer website:
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Published on Leave a comment on MW Polar Crunchy Garlic Chili Sauce

This MW Polar Crunchy Garlic Chili Sauce came from Amazon. We'd been eyeing it for a while, after being impressed with their Crunchy Black Garlic Chili Crisp. The only thing holding us back was price, normally $7.99 for the small 4oz. jar. A price reduction to $6.70 prompted us to finally pull the trigger. Let's try it out.

MW Polar Crunchy Garlic Chili Sauce jar
Main Flavor Elements
  • Garlic
  • Onion
  • Sugar
  • Citric acid
Snapshot
  • Base oil(s): Soybean
  • Solids to oil ratio: High
  • Flavor Enhancer: Natural
  • Potential allergens: Soy, sesame, wheat
  • Storage: Keep in a cool, dry place
Our Impressions
  • Heat level: Moderate
  • Texture: Super crunchy
  • Saltiness: Low (105mg. per 15gm.)

Not too much in the way of aroma from the freshly-opened jar. Oil sometimes has a way of masking all but the most bold ingredients. As we said, it's a small jar, so getting a spoon in deep to mix things up was impossible. Fortunately, the contents looked pretty homogenous, so it wasn't really necessary. You can see how dense the solids are through the glass, and how big a ratio of them there is to the oil.

We could hear and feel the crunch as we dug our spoon in for a taste. And, as expected, it was quite crunchy on the palate. The texture reminded us of many taberu rayu as well as a few other chili crisps, particularly the Mishima Chef Troy's Crunchy Chili Garlic Sauce, whose name, appearance, ingredient list and small jar are all eerily similar. This one however, is superior in the crunch department, and a good deal less sweet. The citric acid gave a note of brightness we thought worked really well.

One last thought: Even though this is a product of China, we're categorizing it as a taberu rayu. It has far more in common with that condiment than it does a chili crsip.

We'll be getting this one again. If you liked the Mishima, and are also a taberu rayu fan, you should check it out.

Ingredients

Soybean oil, garlic, sugar, onion, chili, soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, yeast extract, citric acid, paprika extract.

More Information

Brand: MW Polar
Style: Chili crisp
Price Paid: $6.70 / 4.03oz.
Country of Origin: China
Manufacturer website:
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Published on Leave a comment on Fuyun Xiangbabao Crispy Peanut with Pea

When we saw this Fuyun Xiangbabao Crispy Peanut with Pea on the shelf at one of our local Asian markets, we knew we had to try it. Through the glass, you can see it's chock full of crunchy goodness.

Fuyun Xiangbabao Crispy Peanut with Pea jar
Main Flavor Elements
  • Chili
  • Peanut
  • Pea
Snapshot
  • Base oil(s): Canola
  • Solids to oil ratio: Super high
  • Flavor Enhancer: MSG
  • Potential allergens: Soy, peanut
  • Storage: Keep in a cool, dry place
Our Impressions
  • Heat level: Low
  • Texture: Major crunch
  • Saltiness: Low (160mg. per 15gm.)

How crunchy is it? Well, note that peanut is the first ingredient on the list, even before the oil. The aroma of the just-opened jar isn't too revealing. We gave a stir as best we could, but digging down through all the large solids proved difficult.

The chili heat is minimal, but balances well against the nutty ingredients. Its effect is more of a warm afterglow. You can see the oil is not particularly red. The salt is also relatively quite low, and we didn't think it would have served any purpose to make it saltier. We're not sure what comprises the last ingredient, "spice", but we suspect star anise may be a part of it.

The soybean component appears to be both crunchy whole soybeans along with a lesser amount of small fermented soybeans.

Our only disappointment was the dating on the jar we bought. As is typical of most Chinese products, the imprinted date is that of production, and the label will specify shelf life, usually 18 months to two years. We're glad we reached as far back on the shelf as we could to get a jar with the latest date in stock, but it still put us at only two weeks remaining. It's surprising this one isn't popular enough to turn over stock faster, at least not at this store.

Overall, we found this one quite addictive, and could probably just eaten the whole jar by itself if we didn't stop ourselves.

Ingredients

Peanut, canola oil, peas, chili, sesame seeds, soybeans, salt, MSG, spice.

More Information

Brand: Wuhan Rong Fa Seasoning Food Co, Ltd.
Style: Chili crunch
Price Paid: $4.49 / 8.38oz.
Country of Origin: China
Manufacturer website:
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Published on Leave a comment on Zhongba Sichuan Chili Crisp

This Zhongba Sichuan Chili Crisp came from Amazon. Our criteria for purchasing it included the intriguing ingredients and the interesting graphics of the label, whose only English language verbiage was, "Chuan Xiang You Lazi" or, best we can tell, "Sichuan style chili oil".

Zhongba Sichuan Chili Crisp jar
Main Flavor Elements
  • Chili
  • Peanut
  • Sesame
Snapshot
  • Base oil(s): Rapeseed
  • Solids to oil ratio: Moderately high
  • Flavor Enhancer: MSG
  • Potential allergens: Peanut, soy, sesame
  • Storage: Keep in cool, dry place
Our Impressions
  • Heat level: Moderate
  • Texture: Nutty crunch
  • Saltiness: Medium (468mg. per 30gm.)

The aroma is promising, subtly nutty. And no wonder, as it has peanuts, sesame, soybean and peas. The chili pepper heat and flavor are well-integrated with the rest of the ingredients, not overshadowing them. We thought we detected a note of some kind of chicken bouillon powder, but it does not appear among the ingredients. The sugar rounds out the flavor profile but doesn't make the overall impression one of sweetness. The MSG also seems judiciously-applied, letting the rest of the ingredients supply the majority of the umami. Were were puzzled by the absence of Sichuan pepper, but in all honesty, didn't miss it in this case.

This one was a pleasant surprise, for both its texture and flavor. We'd get it again.

We had a hard time nailing down the ingredients list. We went back and forth over one item. The Amazon listing said it contains fermented soybean, even going so far as to call it by its Chinese name, "douchi". But we didn't detect the character of it at all. Instead, we relied on a Google Lens translation of the label, that merely said "soybeans", which seemed more accurate to us. But then we went back into the jar for a forensic examination. Turns out there are indeed fermented soybeans in there, but they're smaller, crunchier and saltier than those we've experienced in the past, the Lao Gan Ma Chili Oil with Fermented Soybeans being our frame of reference.

Ingredients

Rapeseed oil, chili pepper, peas, peanuts, fermented soybeans (douchi), edible salt, white sugar, sesame seeds, monosodium glutamate, spices, paprika, food flavoring.

More Information

Brand: Sichuan Qingxiangyuan Seasoning Co, Ltd.
Style: Chili crisp
Price Paid: $9.99 / 6.35oz.
Country of Origin: China
Manufacturer website:
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Published on Leave a comment on Cuihong Sichuan Red Chili Crunch

This Cuihong Sichuan Red Chili Crunch* came from Amazon, where we just happened to stumble across it. Preliminary information was confusing but we decided to get it anyway. We thought the $9.80 paid for a 7.05oz. jar seemed reasonable. That asterisk after the "crunch" we'll get to in a minute.

Cuihong Sichuan Red Chili Crunch jar
Main Flavor Elements
  • Chili
  • Sesame
  • Sichuan peppercorn
  • Garlic
  • Ginger
Snapshot
  • Base oil(s): Rapeseed
  • Solids to oil ratio: Medium
  • Flavor Enhancer: IMP,GMP
  • Potential allergens: Sesame
  • Storage: Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
Our Impressions
  • Heat level: Moderate
  • Texture: Soupy
  • Saltiness: Low (246mg. per 16gm.)

The first thing we noticed when we went to stir it up, besides the somewhat lower than expected solids-to-oil ratio, was how chunky it wasn't. The oil is a deep red color, but it's from chili powder, not chili flakes, of which none are listed. There are solids in the way of sesame seeds, garlic, scallion and perhaps ginger, but they are mostly soft, puzzling for a product that calls itself a "chili crunch". A good deal of the non-oil ingredients appear in the form of a dark sediment.

Online reviews also complain about the missing "crunch", and we've come to think that the word was added to the Amazon description when it didn't necessarily apply.

Some other online vendors call this one "Red Hot Chili Sauce" or "Mixed Ingredient Red Chili Oil", the latter of which seems to be a somewhat literal translation of the main verbiage on the jar.

Lack of actual crunch aside, we did like the flavor. The aromatics blend nicely, with the ginger sneaking in subtly. The citric acid brings a brightness, and we're assuming it may be a stand-in for Chinese black vinegar. There's just enough Sichuan peppercorn to bring some heat and that numbing effect.

We decided to take the tasting a step further and mixed a teaspoon or so into about a half cup of warm rice. The flavor just kind of bloomed, and for a moment we forgot all about the lack of crunch.

Anyway, if you can forgive the lack of texture (or the perhaps deceptive description of it), the flavors here work really well, and in a not-overpowering way.

Some Other Caveats

Now for a minor complaint. The jar we received was dated like many Chinese products, not with an expiration date, but with a date of production. There will typically be a statement to use or consume by anywhere from a year to 18 months from that date. The jar we received in April 2026 was dated June 2025. A such, that left us with only two months remaining of the stated 12 month shelf life. Any closer, or past that date, obviously, and we would normally file a dispute with the vendor for a refund.

This one was a real puzzler re: ingredients. Were the discrepancies we found old vs. new formula, or Chinese vs. export formula? Or were they flat out wrong in some cases? We know there was an update to the packaging, as what we received did not match the image of the jar in the listing. Heck, different exporters can't even agree on what to name it. We must ultimately settle on what the label on the jar we received says, and just issue a caveat that you should check the jar you purchase before consuming.

Ingredients

Rapeseed oil, chili powder, sesame, salt, garlic, ginger, scallion, Sichuan peppercorn, sugar, spices, culinary herbs, disodium 5'-ribonucleotide, citric acid.

More Information

Brand: Sichuan Cuihong Food Co., Ltd.
Style: Chili oil
Price Paid: $9.80 / 7.05oz.
Country of Origin: China
Manufacturer website:
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Published on Leave a comment on Samar Spice Chili Crisp

This Samar Spice Chili Crisp was encountered while browsing Amazon. It appeared to be on sale, so we took a chance. $8 for an 8 oz. jar of a good chili crisp is a bargain by today's standards. Let's see how it is.

Samar Spice Chili Crisp jar
Main Flavor Elements
  • Smoked(?) chili
  • Garlic
  • Onion
  • Sesame
Snapshot
  • Base oil(s): Rapeseed (canola)
  • Solids to oil ratio: Medium
  • Flavor Enhancer: Natural (matsutake powder)
  • Potential allergens: Sesame, peanut
  • Storage: N/S (Refrigeration recommended)
Our Impressions
  • Heat level: Moderate
  • Texture: Velvety crunch
  • Saltiness: Low (32mg. per 5gm.)
Samar Spice Chili Crisp and folding spoon

Apparently from China. The label does not specify, only listing the name of the manufacturer, which is headquartered there. It came packed in its own carton with a thank you note and a nifty, folding metal serving spoon. Nice touches.

The jar is plastic and the lid has a tamper-evident ring. Unfortunately, the ring wanted to only partially separate from the lid, so we made use of the spoon to pry it the rest of the way off.

Inside the lid there is a flexible seal ring which, while well-intentioned, allows oil and sesame seeds to get between it and the outer wall of the lid. We anticipate this will cause some drip down the outside at some point.

The solids-to-oil ratio when the contents are settled is about 60/40. The mix of medium and fine solids was a bit compacted at the bottom, so we had to really scrape down into the bottom edges to get a good re-mix before tasting. And we found, going back for a second tasting minutes later, the ingredients had already started to solidify. So, be sure to stir well at each and every serving.

There's a lot going on in here, with well over a dozen non-oil ingredients. We're assuming the goal is both complexity and the achievement of umami without flavor-enhancing chemical additives.

There is a mild heat from the chili, but the Sichuan peppercorn is minimal enough to not produce any of the numbing effect for which it is known. The label touts smokiness, but we weren't really getting much in the way of it.

With so many ingredients fighting for attention, none really stand out individually. Having said that, it still works. There's an overall, spicy, nutty, aromatic, savoriness we found undeniably appealing.

We wondered what matsutake powder was, and found that it is a premium, aromatic seasoning made from ground, dried matsutake mushrooms (Tricholoma matsutake), known for their distinct pine-scented, earthy, and slightly spicy flavor. It is highly valued in Asian cuisine as a natural, savory umami enhancer.

We don't know if we picked up on that particular flavor note, even upon repeated tastings, but with so much else going on in there, it's hard to say.

Overall, we liked this one without any reservations to speak of. Other than the jar closure, and a best by date we thought was closer than it ought to have been, the contents were quite satisfying.

Ingredients

Non-GMO rapeseed oil, chili peppers, peanuts, garlic,sugar, onions, green onions, sesame, smoked chili powder, star anise, cassia bark, cloves, sichuan peppercorns, fennel seeds, salt, matsutake powder

More Information

Brand: Shenchu (Shandong) Food Technology Co., Ltd. / Samar Spice
Style: Chili crisp
Price paid: $7.99 / 8oz.
Country of Origin: China
Manufacturer website:
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Published on Leave a comment on MW Polar Crunchy Black Garlic Chili Crisp

This MW Polar Crunchy Black Garlic Chili Crisp came from Amazon. We were familiar with the MW Polar brand mainly from its tinned fish products. Our satisfaction with them led us to hope we'd like this chili crisp product as well. Did we know what black garlic was? No, but it made it sound all the more intriguing. Let's see if we were right.

MW Polar Crunchy Black Garlic Chili Crisp jar
Main Flavor Elements
  • Garlic
  • Onion
  • Sugar
  • Soy sauce
  • Citric acidity
Snapshot
  • Base oil(s): Soybean
  • Solids to oil ratio: High
  • Flavor Enhancer: Yeast extract
  • Potential allergens: Soy, wheat, sesame
  • Storage: Refrigerate after opening
Our Impressions
  • Heat level: Moderate
  • Texture: Thick and al dente
  • Saltiness: Moderate (310mg. per 15gm.)

The $10.99 price we paid has been steady since its introduction on Amazon about three months ago. We now see the waters are being tested with it being priced at a little over $12.

The initial aroma upon opening the jar was promising. Digging in to stir it up revealed how thick and chunky it is. A very high solids to oil ratio, which we like. There's a fine, crispy crunch to it, reminiscent in some ways of one or more Japanese taberu rayu we've had in the past. But the texture is also pleasantly al dente. As expected, it is very garlic forward, also a plus. The rest of the ingredients are well-balanced, and we liked the subtle hint of vinegary tang provided by the citric acid.

There's just a fascinating complexity to the flavor profile that we couldn't stop tasting. The garlic's not in-your-face, the onion doesn't dominate, the sugar isn't too sweet, the chili doesn't blank your palate, and the soy sauce adds umami without shouting, "Hey, it's me, soy sauce!"

Overall, we were pleasantly surprised by how much there was to like about this one. The only questions left are, "Can we find it cheaper?" and, "Do we get two more jars or three?" Don't pass this one up.

Ingredients

Soybean oil, garlic, black garlic, onion, sugar, chili, sesame oil, salt, soy sauce (water, soybeans, salt, wheat, sugar, yeast extract), yeast extract, citric acid, paprika extract.

Here's what we found out about black garlic:

Black garlic is regular garlic that has been aged in a warm, humid environment, causing it to turn black with a sweet, savory, and tangy flavor, and a soft, chewy texture, similar to balsamic or molasses. This fermentation process, known as the Maillard reaction, removes the pungent bite of raw garlic, making it rich in antioxidants and popular in cooking for sauces, marinades, and spreads. 

Flavor and texture
  • Taste: Sweet, tangy, and savory with notes of balsamic, molasses, and caramel, lacking the sharp bite of raw garlic. 
  • Texture: Soft, chewy, and jelly-like, often compared to fudge. 
How it's made
  • Fresh garlic is aged at high temperatures (around 140°F/60°C) and humidity for several weeks. 
  • This slow process causes the cloves to turn black and develop their unique flavor and texture. 
Culinary uses
  • Can be used whole, minced, or pureed.
  • Adds depth to sauces, marinades, vinaigrettes, and pasta dishes.
  • Can be spread on bread like butter.
  • Can be ground into a powder for seasoning. 
Potential benefits

Rich in antioxidants, May help lower cholesterol and triglycerides, and May help lower blood pressure. 

Considerations
  • People on blood-thinning or blood pressure-lowering medications should use caution, as black garlic may enhance their effects. 
More Information

Brand: MW Polar
Style: Chili crisp
Price Paid: $10.99 / 7oz.
Country of Origin: China
Manufacturer website: https://mwpolar.com/products/polar-crunchy-black-garlic-chili-crisp-7oz-multiple-pack-sizes
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Published on Leave a comment on Chins licKING Chili Oil

This Chins licKING Chili Oil came from Amazon. We're not exactly sure what the brand name's play on words is supposed to be. But we're guessing the emphasis on KING was the goal, even if the "licking" part escapes us. Although the jar says "Chins licKING", the company website always expresses the brand name as "ChinslicKING". We were slightly disappointed that the jar we received had an expiration date a mere four months away, but we expect that, if we like it, it will be used up by then.

Chins licKING Chili Oil jar
New Size and Package
Chins licKING Chili Oil new size comparison

The package shown is the new larger size. Its predecessor looks nothing like it. The jar itself is now plastic. Notable is the also-new closure which adds a pull-ring metal lid underneath the screw-on plastic lid. And, as we know, anything that makes for leak-free shipping is more than welcome in this product segment. Marketing has obviously over-emphasized the difference between a 7.05 oz. and an 8.11 oz. jar. At least the new jar doesn't say it's "DELICUOUS". But there were some other differences that we weren't necessarily expecting.

Main Flavor Elements
  • Chili
  • Sesame
Snapshot
  • Base oil(s): Soybean Rapeseed
  • Solids to oil ratio: Moderately high (> 60% per label)
  • Flavor Enhancer: MSG None listed
  • Potential allergens: Sesame, soy, peanut
  • Storage: Store in cool, dry place; Refrigerate after opening
Our Impressions
  • Heat level: Moderate
  • Texture: Mostly sesame seed and chili flake
  • Saltiness: Low (540mg. per 46gm.)

The first thing we noticed was that the ingredient list on Amazon, for both the old and new packaging, was vastly different from that on the jar. This, despite the listing reassuring us that nothing but the size had changed. Assuming a listing error, we checked the company website but found the identical list. The new list is rather vague, and had we seen it instead, we might have very well passed on this one. See what we thought we were getting below.

Firstly, it's now rapeseed oil-based, rather than soybean oil. Also absent are peanuts, sugar and MSG. The solids are dense enough to keep the copious sesame seeds mixed in reasonably well. We dislike when they all float to the top and the last half of a jar has virtually none left.

The heat of the pepper doesn't hit right away, but gives more of a low-key afterburn. Nothing in the way of Sichuan pepper numbness, really. If there's any in there, it's not explicitly listed. The label says "Shaanxi specialty", and that north-central province's cuisine and geographical location are both Sichuan adjacent.

Overall, we were largely unimpressed. We were looking forward to a rounder experience the peanut and sugar might have brought, as well as perhaps a bit more umami from some MSG. We're categorizing this one as a chili oil due to the lack of garlic, onion, or actually any of the typical chili crisp umami vectors.

Ingredients

Rapeseed oil, red chili peppers, sesame, edible salt, flavoring essence.

First grade soybean oil, pepper powder, peanut kernel, sesame, edible salt, MSG, sugar, spices.

More Information

Brand: Xi'an Chunhefang Import & Export Co., Ltd. / Chins licKING
Style: Chili oil
Price Paid: $9.99 / 8.11oz.
Country of Origin: China
Manufacturer website: http://www.qinfoods.com/
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Published on Leave a comment on Chuannan Peanut Chili Oil

We had to wait quite a while for this Chuannan Peanut Chili Oil to come back in stock at one of our local Asian markets. We could have ordered it through Amazon, but there it varied from $10 to $13 a jar. A little patience netted us this jar for a reasonable $4.79. We liked both the Chuannan Chili Oil Crisp and the Chuannan Spicy Chili Oil , and had high hopes for this variation.

Chuan Nan Sichuan Peanut Chili Oil Sauce jar

Translating the label, the oval logo and top line both read Chuān Nán or "Southern Sichuan" (川 = Sichuan, 南 = South), and below, in large characters, essentially "great with rice" ( 下饭 ) and "fragrant" ( 香 ). The smaller line under that just means "spicy oil" or "chili oil". The name "Peanut Chili Oil" came from what to us looked like company marketing directed towards the US consumer. We also see that some online vendors nickname this one "Xialicious", apparently a take on the large character line下饭香 (xià fàn xiāng).

Main Flavor Elements
  • Chili
  • Peanut
  • Onion
Snapshot
  • Base oil(s): Rapeseed (canola)
  • Solids to oil ratio: High
  • Flavor Enhancer: MSG, IMP,GMP
  • Potential allergens: Soy, peanut, sesame
  • Storage: Refrigerate after opening
Our Impressions
  • Heat level: Moderately high
  • Texture: Super chunky crunch
  • Saltiness: Moderately high (498mg. per 30gm.)

Compared to the other two, this one contains larger crunch elements, including crunchy peas and whole peanuts. The high solids ratio keeps everything mostly mixed on its own, a good thing since it's dense enough to make getting a spoon deep down into the jar difficult. It has substantial but not overpowering heat. Of the three Chuannan varieties, this might be our new favorite.

For comparison, see the NPG Sichuan Chili Crisp, which has similar ingredients, with a slightly milder heat, a little more sweetness and the fragrant umami of fermented soybean.

Ingredients

Rapeseed oil (non-GMO)(51.5%), peanuts, peas, chili peppers, onion, salt, sugar, MSG, disodium 5'-ribonucleotide, sesame seeds, Sichuan peppercorns, flavorings, spices.

More Information

Brand: Southern Sichuan / Chuannan
Style: Chili oil
Price paid: $4.79 / 9.3oz.
Country of Origin: China
Manufacturer website:
Social media:

Published on Leave a comment on S&B Crunchy Garlic with Chili Oil – Spicy

We really like the mild version of this S&B Crunchy Garlic with Chili Oil - Spicy, so we hoped making it "spicy" wouldn't ruin what drew us to that other version. Let's check it out.

S&B Crunchy Garlic with Chili Oil - Spicy jar
Main Flavor Elements
  • Garlic
  • Chili
  • Onion
Snapshot
  • Base oil(s): Corn, sesame
  • Solids to oil ratio: High
  • Flavor Enhancer: MSG IMP,GMP
  • Potential allergens: Soy, sesame, wheat
  • Storage: Refrigerate after opening
Our Impressions
  • Heat level: Moderate
  • Texture: Crunchy
  • Saltiness: Medium (105mg. per 5g.)

We really like the S&B Crunchy Garlic with Chili Oil - Mild version, so we wanted to see what a spicy take on it might be like. As with the other, the slivers of crunchy fried garlic really make the texture here. And other than the elevated heat, we thought everything else was about the same. Fortunately, the extra heat doesn't overwhelm, and actually plays nice with the myriad other ingredients.

On thing we did notice, however, was that the extra heat tends to negate the imaginary peanut flavor of the mild version. Still, we liked it, even though classic taberu rayu isn't supposed to be about the heat.

Ingredients

Corn oil, chili pepper, fried garlic (garlic, palm oil), sesame oil, monosodium glutamate, onion powder, salt, fried onion (onion flake, rice oil), sugar, chili paste (chili pepper, salt, rice), soy sauce powder (soy sauce [soybean, wheat, salt], dextrin, salt), ground sesame, disodium guanylate, disodium inosinate, tocopherols (antioxidant).

More Information

Brand: S&B Foods, Inc.
Style: Taberu rayu
Price paid: $7.49 / 3.88oz.
Country of Origin: Japan
Manufacturer website:
Social media: