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One spoonful of chili crisp is all it takes to understand why this condiment has found a spot on tables far and wide. It’s not just hot oil. It’s a salty, spicy umami bomb that boosts flavor in everything it touches.
Chili crisp, which has long been a staple in Asian cuisines, comes in lots of styles and has a fun range of flavor profiles, but in general, it’s a jar of toasted and roasted chilis, onion, garlic and other seasonings. Some include popular ingredients in Asian foods such as seaweed, while others bump up umami with mushrooms, fermented soy, yeast and, quite often, MSG.
No matter the mix, a well made chili crisp is huge flavor on a spoon. Drizzle it on eggs, slather it on a burger, stir it into noodles, spoon it on top of rice, vegetables, fish, meats. It’s also great as a dip for dumplings, a topping for pizza or a substitute for that salty packet of powder in packaged ramen.
While chili crisp is common in Mexican, Japanese, Indian and other Asian cuisines, it originated in the Sichuan region of China, home of the iconic Lao Gan Ma brand, which features a picture of the brand’s founder, Tao Huabi, on the label.
Great chili crisp is rich and complex, filling the mouth with so much deliciousness that it’s addictive. Chili is always present and plentiful, but the best jars of chili crisp always include multiple layers of tasty and interesting flavors. Note that the ratio of oil to crispy bits isn’t a good measure of quality, as the oil itself should be packed with the same flavors as the crispy bits.
Bad chili crisp is a sloppy, oily mess that’s made with no attention to flavor. Flavorless or underprocessed ingredients result in a jar that delivers heat but little else. The worst are so salty that they are guaranteed to ruin food on contact.
Here are details on the jars of chili crisp that will disappear overnight, and the salty, single-note potions that are likely to languish in the fridge for years. Nutrition info refers to 1 tablespoon.
S & B Umami Topping Crunchy Garlic
Fans of garlic will love this Japanese brand that’s so delicious it’s hard to stop at one spoonful. Both the chilis and the slices of garlic are crispy and plentiful. A bigger jar would be a great improvement. Note that the product we tried includes almond; in 2026, nuts will be removed from the recipe. 110 calories, 10.5 grams fat, 270 milligrams sodium. $7.99 for 3.88 ounces at Safeway. (4 stars)
Lao Gan Ma Spicy Chili Crisp
This hits so many notes in a single bite: It’s sweet, salty, rich and has lots of crunchy bits. When shopping for this iconic brand, be sure not to confuse it with Lao Gan Ma Red Chili in Oil, which is in the same jar, but has a green stripe. The latter is OK but is more chewy than crisp, and not nearly as tasty. 110 calories, 10 grams fat, 190 milligrams sodium, 1 gran protein. $5.22 for 7.41 ounces at Walmart. (4 stars)
Momofuku Chili Crunch
This pricey, sweet-salty mix is slightly sweet and bursting with flavor. The inclusion of seaweed gives it a fishy note that would work especially well in Asian dishes. 105 calories, 10.5 grams fat, 120 milligrams sodium. $12.49 for 5.5 ounces at Whole Foods. Note that this one can be found at Costco. (3 1/2 stars)
Fly by Jing Original Sichuan Chili Crisp
While this brand is more oily than most, it delivers a blast of flavor thanks to super caramelized shallots and garlic, lots of soy and a dash of mushroom powder. It’s important to know that this has a slight bitter note. 90 calories, 9 grams fat, 195 milligrams sodium. $9.23 for 6 ounces at Whole Foods. (3 stars)
Lee Kum Kee Chiu Chow Style Chili Crisp Oil
While this is too oily and salty, it delivers a kick of rich flavor. Just be sure to use it sparingly, and think of it as a substitute for salt. 100 calories, 10 grams fat, 410 milligrams sodium. $5.99 for 7.2 ounces at Safeway. (2 stars)
Chuan Lao Hui Red Oil Chili
Fennel and star anise add unexpected, complex flavor notes to this sesame-forward oil. It has a pungent perfume aroma that people will either love or hate. 119 calories, 13 grams fat, 118 milligrams sodium. $3.69 for 7.05 ounces at 99 Ranch. (2 stars)
Signature Select Garlic Chili Crunch Oil
Good crunch and big toasty onion flavor are a plus, it lacks the authentic flavor of freshly roasted ingredients. Better infusing would also be a huge improvement. 120 calories, 11 grams fat, 130 milligrams sodium. $4.99 for 7.05 ounces at Safeway. (1 1/2 stars)
Spice World Chili Onion Crunch
Tough bits and and a hit of unexpected sweetness make this an unfortunate jar. The bitter note and a pinch of curry secure its spot near the bottom of the list. 103 calories, 9 grams fat, 108 milligrams sodium, 1 g protein. $2.99 for 6 ounces at Target. (1 stars)
Trader Joe’s Crunchy Chili Onion
While this is a fine condiment, it could be far better. The chili bits are perfectly crisp, but the onions are so underroasted that they are overpowering. Save this oil to use in cooked dishes 100 calories, 10 grams fat, 150 milligrams sodium. $4.49 for 6 ounces. (1 star)
Spicy King Spicy Chili Oil
This decidedly hot, pickle-like oil is extra bright and extra spicy. Sadly, it leaves a chemical aftertaste, and there are occasional dried soybeans in the mix that are so hard that they could break a tooth. 100 calories, 10 grams fat, 190 milligrams sodium, 1 gram protein. $3.49 for 9.23 ounces at 99 Ranch. (1/2 star)
Reviews are based on product samples purchased by this newspaper or provided by manufacturers. Contact Jolene Thym at timespickyeater@gmail.com. Read more Taste-Off columns at www.mercurynews.com/tag/taste-off.
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Jolene Thym, correspondent
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