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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 NPG Sichuan Chili Crisp

We bought this NPG Sichuan Chili Crisp 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.

NPG Sichuan Chili Crisp jar
Main Flavor Elements
  • Sichuan chili
  • Fermented black bean
  • Peanut and sesame
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/chile, 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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Published on Leave a comment on Chuannan Spicy King Chili Oil

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.

Chuannan Spicy King 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 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.

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:
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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" or literally "oil poured over chili peppers" (yóu làzǐ). The line below that appears to mean "For mixing with vegetables and noodles", a serving suggestion, we assume.

Main Flavor Elements
  • Chili
  • Soybeans
  • Peanut
  • Scallion
  • Sichuan peppercorn
Snapshot
  • Base oil(s): Rapeseed (canola)
  • Solids to oil ratio: High
  • Flavor Enhancer: MSG, IMP,GMP
  • 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 (non-GMO) (63.8%), chili peppers, soybeans, peanuts, salt, scallions, white sugar, monosodium glutamate (MSG), disodium inosinate, flavorings, spices, and other seasonings.

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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