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Category: Chili Oil

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". 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
  • Onion
  • Peanut
Snapshot
  • Base oil(s): Rapeseed (canola)
  • Solids to oil ratio: High
  • Flavor Enhancer: MSG, (I+G)
  • 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:
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Published on Leave a comment on NPG Sichuan Chili Oil

While this NPG Sichuan Chili Oil doesn't say "chili crisp" on the label, it certainly seems to qualify as one. NPG does, in fact make a product they call Sichuan Chili Crisp, but it is labeled as being milder than this one. Normally $11.99, we paid $8.48 on sale.

NPG Sichuan Chili Oil jar
NPG Sichuan Chili Oil sample
Main Flavor Elements
  • Sichuan chili
  • Complex aromatics
  • To a lesser extent, peanut and sesame
Snapshot
  • Base oil(s): Soybean
  • Solids to oil ratio: Very high
  • Flavor Enhancer: MSG
  • Potential allergens: Soy, sesame
  • Storage: Refrigerate after opening
Our Impressions
  • Heat level: Moderately high
  • Texture: Thick and chewy
  • Saltiness: Moderate (205mg. per 15gm.)

This one is super thick and chewy. According to the label, it shouldn't be. There seems to be nothing in the first few ingredients on the list to support how coarse and plentiful are the chili-like solids here. However, further research reveals that pixian broad bean paste, a condiment unto its own, is made with a fair amount of chili pepper. So, what we're getting texturally must be the the skins of those beans and the chilis used to make it.

Peanut and sesame seed are listed, but they aren't visually apparent, nor easily identifiable on the palate. Only under close inspection are they revealed.

The application of Sichuan pepper is even-handed. The numbing effect it's known for isn't flagrant, and its spice works well with other, aromatic components. Together, there is a fragrant, floral, fruity heat that makes this one quite special. Did we just use the word flagrant in one sentence and the word fragrant in the next? Yes. Yes, we did.

At this point, we're going to backtrack a bit. Based on the lack of onion, shallot or actual soybean, we're going to rethink considering this one a chili crisp, and let the chili oil designation stand. But that doesn't mean we didn't like it.

Note to salsa macha lovers. If you like the La Anita Salsa Macha - Morita Pepper, you definitely need to try this one.

Ingredients

Soybean oil, pixian broad bean paste, soy sauce, vinegar, peanut, ginger, garlic, sesame seed, sichuan pepper, sichuan chili, salt, sugar, MSG, spices

More Information

Brand: NPG / Natural Plus Green
Style: Chili crisp
Price paid: $8.48 / 7oz.
Country of Origin: China
Manufacturer website: www.naturalplusgreen.com
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Published on Leave a comment on Lao Gan Ma Chili Oil with Fermented Soybeans

Yet another variation in the LGM range of chili-infused oil products, this Lao Gan Ma Chili Oil with Fermented Soybeans was obtained at a large Asian market. We had hoped to find a larger selection of chili crisps there, coming away mostly disappointed, but picked up this jar while there. We're excited to try this take on flavor.

Lao Gan Ma Chili Oil with Fermented Soybeans jar
Main Flavor Elements
  • Chili
  • Fermented soybean
Snapshot
  • Base oil(s): Soybean
  • Solids to oil ratio: High
  • Flavor Enhancer: MSG
  • Potential allergens: Soy
  • Storage: Keep refrigerated
Our Impressions
  • Heat level: Moderate
  • Texture: Softly chewy
  • Saltiness: Moderate (600mg. per 30gm.)

This time, fermented soybean is the flavor and texture driver. The solids are softly chewy, just below al dente. We're ambivalent as to whether to categorize it as chili oil or chili crisp.

The fermented soybean flavor is tangy, fragrant and floral all at the same time, and provides a different kind of umami. The chili contributes just a modicum of heat, and is well-balanced against the soybean.

Added sugar brings an interesting complement to both the spice of the chili and the flavor of the soybean. We assume it also slightly offsets the heat of the chili.

Chili oil or chili crisp, call it whichever. We'd call it another winner from Lao Gan Ma.

Ingredients

Soybean oil, fermented soybeans, chili, MSG, sugar, sulfur dioxide, sodium sulfite.

More Information

Brand: Lao Gan Ma
Style: Chili Oil
Price Paid: $6.39 / 9.88oz.
Country of Origin: China
Manufacturer website: www.laoganmausa.com
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Published on Leave a comment on Chuannan Spicy Chili Oil

This Chuannan Spicy Chili Oil came from the same Asian market where we purchased the chili oil crisp version. Close attention must be paid as, at first glance, one might miss the differences in the Chinese characters on the label. Otherwise the jars look remarkably similar.

Chuan Nan Sechuan Spicy Chili Oil 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 "Fragrant Spicy King". The line below that says "spicy oil" or "chili oil", which is also the main name on the Chuannan Chili Oil Crisp label. Not confusing at all. Some online vendors nickname this version "Spicy King".

Main Flavor Elements
  • Chili
  • Onion
  • Peanut
  • Sichuan peppercorn
  • Sesame
Snapshot
  • Base oil(s): rapeseed (canola)
  • Solids to oil ratio: High
  • Flavor Enhancer: MSG, (I+G)
  • Potential allergens: soy, sesame, peanut
  • Storage: Refrigerate after opening
Our Impressions
  • Heat level: Incendiary
  • Texture: Chewy pepper
  • Saltiness: Moderately high

This has sesame seeds, which the Chuannan Chili Oil Crisp lacks. The ratio of solids to oil is so high, however, that they don't all float to the top like some others. The heat level of each product is about the same, although this one might be a little hotter. The peanut is chopped very fine here, so its crunch is not as pronounced. The sweetness from the sugar is more forward in this version, as well.

We'd make the same assessment of this one as we did the other: it might not be an everyday or every situation go-to, but when you want the heat, it's got it.

Ingredients

Rapeseed oil (non-GMO)(60%), chili pepper, soybean, peanut, salt, sugar, onion, MSG, disodium 5'-ribonucleotide, sesame, Sichuan peppercorn, flavoring, spices

More Information

Brand: Sichuan Weihong Food Co, Ltd. / Chuannan
Style: Chili crisp
Price paid: $5.69 / 9.3oz.
Country of Origin: China
Manufacturer website:
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Published on Leave a comment on Liu Po Spicy Red Oil

Information about this Liu Po Spicy Red Oil is tough to nail down. It came from a local Asian market. The label is entirely in Chinese, so an English label with nutritional information is attached. That label lists the importer, but nothing as to brand name or the official name of the product. Google Lens was of some help revealing the lid says "Sixth Po", but it was a real chore to track down the brand name "Liu Po", often alternately stated as "Liupo".

To make matters worse, there has been a revision of the logo, and we're not really sure if the even more-cartoonish logo image seen elsewhere is newer or older than this one. We suspect this might be older, as the best by date is only 8 months away.

Liu Po Spicy Red Oil jar
Main Flavor Elements
  • Garlic
  • Onion
  • Green onion
  • Sichuan pepper
Snapshot
  • Base oil(s): Rapeseed (canola)
  • Solids to oil ratio: Moderately low
  • Flavor Enhancer: MSG (I+G)
  • Potential allergens: Sesame, soy
  • Storage: N/S "Consume as soon as possible after opening" (We recommend refrigerating)
Our Impressions
  • Heat level: Moderately high
  • Texture: Mixed medium and fine solids
  • Saltiness: Medium (160mg. per 10gm.)

It was hard to get a feel of the texture of this one when purchased. The label obscures quite a bit of the contents. We could see sesame seeds afloat at the top of the oil, and what appeared to be about 30% solids by volume. The stock photo of the jar makes it look chunkier than it actually is. We define this one as more of a chili oil than a chili crisp.

Once we got the jar open, we found the solids to be a combo of flakes and finer bits that really required a good stirring to get them all somewhat homogenous before serving. This means really digging down with a spoon, stirring and dispensing the desired amount quickly, and re-stirring each time more is wanted in order to maintain the ratio of ingredients throughout the consumption of the jar.

One online vendor we found calls this "Spicy Red Oil for Salads", and we'd have to agree its taste and texture would be great on cold dishes likes salads, and even on cold noodles. It has a nice balance of umami and a level of Sichuan heat that doesn't overwhelm.

Google Lens translates the original Chinese label as "Chili Oil for Mixed Vegetables". Its translation of the ingredients also contradicts that of the applied, English label. We'll defer to the applied label in this case.

Ingredients

Rapeseed oil, chili, salt, water, MSG, garlic, ginger, pepper, green onion, onion, pepper oil, spices, roasted sesame, yeast extract, brewing soy sauce, brewing vinegar, sugar, Disodium 5'-ribonucleotide, FD&C red #40, edible essence, citric acid.

More Information

Brand: Liu Po
Style: Chili Oil
Price paid: $4.49 / 7.8oz.
Country of Origin: China, importer Apollo Food International, Inc. Brooklyn, NY
Manufacturer website:
Social media: