peanut Archives - Chili Crisp Central

Sunlee Fried Crispy Chili with Peanut in Oil

This Sunlee Fried Crispy Chili with Peanut in Oil also came from that new-to-us Asian market. The wording on the label checked all the boxes: crispy, chili, peanut. And the price was right, $5.49 for a towering 11.25oz. jar.

The Chinese characters above the English name read: 花 "huā, flower", 生 "shēng, raw, fresh" but together 花生 = "peanut", then 油 "yóu, oil", 辣 "là, spicy, hot", 椒 "jiāo, pepper".

Main Flavor Elements

Chili
Sugar
Citric acid

Snapshot

Base oil(s): Soybean
Solids to oil ratio: High
Flavor Enhancer: MSG, IMP,GMP
Potential allergens: Soy, peanut
Storage: Refrigerate after opening

Our Impressions

Heat level: Low
Texture: Soft and jammy
Saltiness: Moderate (500mg. per 30gm.)

Another of those jars sealed to resist nuclear attack. We used the rubber jar thing, two in fact. One on the lid and the other to grasp the jar. Not until we put it into a full-on WWE headlock and bore down with all our might did the lid release.

Well, the name checked all the boxes, but the payoff was not as expected. The chili wasn't really crispy, nor was anything else. And the peanut, well, let's say there's peanut in here like there's pork in a can of pork & beans. That is to say minimal, a paltry amount, an afterthought. And the four peanuts we did find, all near the top, weren't the least bit crunchy.

Once again, all of the fried allium and the crunch and umami they bring are absent. No onion, shallot, nor even garlic. What's going on here? This stuff is from Thailand. Our mouths should be burning with heat and garlic, our faces sweating. But no.

Having said all that, we did like it for what it was. A nice, jammy chili concoction just spicy enough not to offend sensitive palates, but accessible enough to put on just about anything. And liberally.

Ingredients

Soybean oil, chili, peanut, sugar, salt, flavor enhancers (MSG, disodium 5'-inosinate, disodium 5'-guanylate), acidity regulators (citric acid) .

More Information

Brand: Thai Lee Foods / Sunlee, Inc.
Style: Chili in oil
Price Paid: $5.49 / 11.25oz.
Country of Origin: Thailand
Manufacturer website: https://www.sunlee.com/sauces-pastes/sunlee-fried-crispy-chili/
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EAPC Crispy Nuts Chili

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This EAPC Crispy Nuts Chili came from Amazon. It popped up as a suggested product, and, being on sale, we took a chance. Normally $12, we got it for just over $9. Even from the photo in the listing, we could tell it would be a crunch fest. Let's see how it tastes.

Main Flavor Elements

Nuts and seeds
Sesame

Snapshot

Base oil(s): Soybean
Solids to oil ratio: Very high
Flavor Enhancer: Mushroom powder
Potential allergens: Soy, sesame, sunflower
Storage: Refrigerate after opening

Our Impressions

Heat level: Low
Texture: Super chunky
Saltiness: Moderately low (190mg. per 15gm.)

We decided to open and taste before reading anything on the jar. Not recommended for those with allergies, but we are fortunate to not have concerns. The aroma is primarily of nuts. We thought we detected some warm spice like cumin, but it was not found on the ingredient list.

The heat from the chili is subtle, almost non-existent, really buried deep in the overall flavor profile. Odd, we thought, as it's the first ingredient on the list, even before the oil.

What ended up being the biggest surprise was that this is a product of China. Although the name really gave little or nothing away, we were virtually certain this was from Mexico, due to the almost salsa macha (seca?) texture and the presence of sunflower seeds.

Its lack of MSG or other such flavor enhancers was atypical for a Chinese product, but we thought the mushroom powder brought an interesting earthy note in addition to some umami. Also notably absent: allium. No onion, garlic or shallot.

We had to chuckle at the label: "Edible methods: Mix with cold dishes or eat directly." We almost did.

We're glad we tried this one. It's unusual, and we're trying to think of another that comes close. Maybe the Cholula?

Ingredients

Chili, soybean oil, peanuts, sunflower seeds, vegetable protein, sesame, edible salt, mushroom powder.

More Information

Brand: EAPC (USA) Trading Co, Ltd.
Style: Crunchy oil
Price Paid: $9.35 / 6.7oz.
Country of Origin: China
Manufacturer website: https://www.eapcusa.com
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Chef Shu Chili Oil Sauce

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This Chef Shu Chili Oil Sauce also came from that new Asian Market. It was another one new to us, and its ingredient list looked promising. Yes, the label does say "Chili Oli Sauce". Let's see how it tastes.

The characters to the left of the logo read: 油 "yóu, oil", 泼 "pō, poured" or together 油泼 "yóu pō = oil poured over ingredients (like chili), 辣 "là, spicy, hot", 子 "zǐ, seeds or fruit, i.e the peppers"

Main Flavor Elements

Chili
Sesame
Peanut

Snapshot

Base oil(s): Canola, sesame
Solids to oil ratio: Moderately high
Flavor Enhancer: MSG
Potential allergens: Sesame, peanut, may contain wheat
Storage: Keep away from direct sunlight, in a cool, dry place

Our Impressions

Heat level: Moderate
Texture: Sesame seeds and fine chili flake
Saltiness: Low (25mg. per 15gm.)

This jar was made to travel. Rather than a plastic shrink seal around the lid, the entire jar is encased in one. Smart. We've all encountered a leaky jar of chili crisp a time or two.

There are a lot of sesame seeds here, and together with the warm, slow-burn chili heat, they dominate the flavor. There's enough oil to allow a good portion of them to float up to the surface, so mix well.

There's a bit of málà numbing from the Sichuan pepper, but the onion, ginger and garlic are mostly subdued in the mix. The peanut is coarsely ground, and, going by the order of ingredients, we thought there would be more of it. We didn't get any real sense of sweetness from the sugar. The paprika we suspect is more for color.

No real complaint to be made here. $3.99 for a big 8oz. jar is a bargain for a more than serviceable chili oil. Despite its relatively high ratio of solids to oil, we're somewhat on the fence about characterizing it as a chili crisp.

Compare to Liu Po Spicy Red Oil.

Ingredients

Canola oil, chili, sesame, peanut, Sichuan pepper, MSG, salt, onion, ginger, sesame oil, spices, sugar, paprika oleoresin, paprika, artificial flavor .

More Information

Brand: Well Luck Co. / Chef Shu
Style: Chili oil
Price Paid: $3.99 / 8.1oz.
Country of Origin: China
Manufacturer website:
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Fuyun Xiangbabao Crispy Peanut with Pea

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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.

The label reads: 香 "xiāng, fragrant", 八 "bā, eight", 宝 "bǎo, treasures". "Eight Treasures" is not one single recipe, but rather a famous naming convention in Chinese cuisine. It refers to dishes made with eight key ingredients, symbolizing wealth, luck, and abundance. Because the number eight is considered incredibly lucky in Chinese culture, recipes often feature a medley of premium meats, seafood, vegetables, or grains. The product doesn't seem to be made up of eight ingredients, so we're assuming it means it goes well with recipes that do.

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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Chuannan Peanut Chili Oil

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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.

Translating the label, the oval logo and top line both read Chuān Nán or "Southern Sichuan" (川 = Sichuan, 南 = South). Below, in large characters, 下饭 essentially "great with rice", and 香 "fragrant". 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). For an in-depth exploration of the subject, see Decoding Chinese Chili Crisp Labels.

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: http://www.cnnzfood.com/
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NPG Sichuan Chili Crisp

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We bought this NPG Sichuan Chili Crisp from Amazon after trying the NPG Sichuan Chili Oil. That one was about as close to being a chili crisp without actually being one as we could imagine. We hoped we would like this one as well.

Translated, the upper character reads: 红 "hóng, red", the lower 油 "yóu, oil".

Main Flavor Elements

Sichuan chili
Fermented black bean
Peanut and sesame
Warm spices

Snapshot

Base oil(s): Soybean
Solids to oil ratio: Extemely high
Flavor Enhancer: MSG
Potential allergens: Soy, sesame, peanut
Storage: Refrigerate after opening

Our Impressions

Heat level: Moderate
Texture: Thick and crunchy
Saltiness: Moderately low (137mg. per 15gm.)

This one is super thick and crunchy. At first, we thought the peas and peanuts were just floating on the top, but, no, it's too thick. It's like the solids are just coated in oil, rather than immersed in it. The fragrant aroma of fermented black bean is apparent when opening the jar.

New to us is the inclusion of crispy, crunchy peas. The peanuts are mostly unbroken halves. The fermented black beans are dense and chewy. The sesame seeds are not plentiful, but you can taste them through the pepper.

The application of Sichuan pepper is once again even-handed. It supplies a moderate, lingering heat on the palate, not overwhelming the flavors of the copious solids. The sugar adds a bit of roundness that plays well with the heat and enhances the nuttiness of the sesame and peanuts. While not explicitly listed, we thought we detected star anise among the unnamed "spices".

Sodium is a low 137mg. per tablespoon, so not really that salty at all. Any higher, we thought, would have taken away from the complexity of everything else.

Normally $9.99, we got this one for $7.99 on sale. If you're interested in trying something different from the typical shallot/garlic/chili, this is one to consider. We're going to enjoy working our way through this jar.

Ingredients

Soybean oil, soybean, pea, peanut, fermented black bean, sesame seed, Sichuan pepper, Sichuan chili, salt, sugar, MSG, spices

More Information

Brand: NPG / Natural Plus Green
Style: Chili crisp
Price paid: $7.99 / 7oz.
Country of Origin: China
Manufacturer website: www.naturalplusgreen.com
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NPG Sichuan Chili Oil

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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 at Amazon.

The upper characters translate as: 拌 "bàn, mix, for mixing", 菜 "cài, vegetables, salad". The lower characters read: 红 "hóng, red", 油 "yóu, oil".

Literal: red oil

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: https://www.naturalplusgreen.com
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Chuannan Spicy King Chili Oil

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This Chuannan Spicy King 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.

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 香 "xiāng, fragrant", 辣 "là, spicy", 王 "wáng, king" = "Fragrant Spicy King". The line below that says "spicy oil" or "chili oil", which is also the main line on the Chuannan Chili Oil Crisp label. Not confusing at all. Some online vendors nickname this version "Spicy King". We'll call it that, too, as it literally says that. For an in-depth exploration of the subject, see Decoding Chinese Chili Crisp Labels.

Main Flavor Elements

Chili
Onion
Peanut
Sichuan peppercorn
Sesame

Snapshot

Base oil(s): rapeseed (canola)
Solids to oil ratio: High
Flavor Enhancer: MSG, IMP,GMP
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: http://www.cnnzfood.com/
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Lao Gan Ma Hot Chili Sauce

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This Lao Gan Ma Hot Chili Sauce is the next entry in our quest to try all of their chili oil-based products. It looks quite different from their Spicy Chili Crisp or the Fried Chili In Oil. It comes in multiple sizes, and the Asian market we obtained it from had this 9.88oz. jar. We hoped it would be as good as those others.

The characters in yellow ovals on the label read: 辣 "là, spicy/hot", 三 "sān, three", 丁 "dīng, diced/cubed food", 油 "yóu, oil", 辣 "là, spicy/hot", 椒 "jiāo, chili pepper". For a deeper exploration of the subject, see Decoding Chinese Chili Crisp Labels.

Main Flavor Elements

Chili
Peanut
Kohlrabi

Snapshot

Base oil(s): Soybean
Solids to oil ratio: High
Flavor Enhancer: MSG
Potential allergens: Soy, peanut
Storage: Refrigerate after opening

Our Impressions

Heat level: Low
Texture: Crunchy and crunchier
Saltiness: Low (670mg. per 30gm.)

This one from Lao Gan Ma has a different sensibility from others of theirs we've tried so far. The first thing you notice about this Hot Chili Sauce is, well, it's not very hot. The heat from the chili is warm but relatively mild, leaving only a minimal amount of tingly numbness on the lips. There is initially a slight hit of pepper heat at the back of the throat if tasted by itself. There's no onion or shallot or garlic. It's not too salty tasting, even at 670mg. sodium.

There are whole peanuts for crunch and nuttiness, and crisp, crackly cubes of fried soybean curd for even more crunch. Kohlrabi gives a contrasting chewy cabbage texture and a vegetal flavor note.

While the brittle cubes of soybean curd were a little weird, we liked the overall flavor profile and varied textures of this one enough to consider buying it again.

Although unlikely, you may encounter the China market version at some point. The same characters found in the yellow ovals on the US export label are present under the LGM logo.

Interesting is the fact that the product is referred to on the China website as either "Chilli Sauce With Peanut & Beancurd & Kohlrabi" or (translated) on labels as "Spicy Three-Ingredient Chili Oil". Translated label ingredients largely match the US export, the absence of preservatives being an exception.

Ingredients

Soybean oil, chili, kohlrabi (fermented), peanut, beancurd (soybean, water), monosodium glutamate, salt, sugar, pepper powder, sulfur dioxide, sodium sulfite.

More Information

Brand: Lao Gan Ma
Style: Chili crisp adjacent
Price paid: $5 / 9.88oz.
Country of Origin: China
Manufacturer website: www.laoganmausa.com
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Lao Gan Ma Fried Chili in Oil

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This Lao Gan Ma Fried Chili in Oil is a variant of 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 chili solids.

Translated, the characters in the yellow ovals read: 老 "lǎo, old", 干妈 "gān mā, godmother, and 油 "yóu, oil", 辣 "là, spicy", 椒 "jiāo, chili pepper". 老干妈 also appears under the logo (where it makes more sense), but in a stylized font. For a deeper exploration of the subject, see Decoding Chinese Chili Crisp Labels.

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: Medium (510mg. 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.

We're a bit perplexed by this one. Nutritional information varies widely as pertains to sodium. We've seen labels, not just online item descriptions, that state sodium as 170mg. per 30gm. serving. Our jar lists 510mg.

For a long time, we believed that this product had no Chinese counterpart version. It just didn't seem that any similar product appeared on the LGM China website. After more consideration, and naming inconsistency aside, we'd characterize it as the US export counterpart to Lao Gan Ma Chilli Sauce with Peanut.

As chili oil/crisp products go, however, we found it quite accessible, being moderate in chili pepper heat and satisfyingly chewy in the texture department.

Update

It would appear that prickly ash powder has been eliminated from the formula for this product. In the order of ingredients, it has been replaced by "pepper powder", the exact nature of which we're not sure.

Ingredients

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

More Information

Brand: Lao Gan Ma
Style: Fried Chili in Oil
Price paid: $4.49 / 7.41oz.
Country of Origin: China
Manufacturer website: https://www.laoganmausa.com
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