Chili Crisp (or Chili Crunch) Is Better Than Hot Sauce. Whatever You Call It, These Are Our Favorite Brands.

Chili crisp, with its roots in regional cuisines throughout Asia, became wildly popular with the masses during the makers movement in the pandemic, and now the spicy condiment has once more become a hot topic with one brand in particular attempting to lay claim to the trademark of “chili crunch.” With many small businesses now embroiled in a fiery legal battle of who has rights to the name, we thought it a good time to celebrate some of the chili crisp, chili crunch, and chili oil brands founded here in the West—with respect to the godmother of them all, Lao Gan Ma Spicy Chili Crisp, of course. Slather a tablespoon (or two!) of these chili crunch products on everything from pizza to noodles and even ice cream, and be prepared for the ultimate umami-laden treat. Here are a few of our favorites.

Photo courtesy of Mila

MìLà

MìLà’s frozen xiao long bao soup dumplings are pillowy-soft, juicy, and flavorful. But their sauces are the real sleeper hit. The CPG company based in the Pacific Northwest is a real powerhouse and is now backed by Canadian actor Simu Liu, and their products are the real deal. Do yourself a favor and buy the trio of their sauces, which includes a garlic scallion umami oil that is absolute fire, plus dipping vinegar for your dumplings.

Courtesy of Amazon

Fly By Jing

LA-based Fly By Jing specializes in exactingly crafted food inspired by the Sichuan region in China, known for its boldly flavored and spicy dishes. Their chili crisp remains the gold standard stateside. Founder Jing Gao and her team also make an excellent nuanced Mala spice for dusting proteins and Zhong sauce for dipping dumplings and more.

Photo courtesy of pi00a

Pi00a

A mixture of sweet and spicy, this spicy chile crunch is the perfect topping and is a favorite of our Editor in Chief. It has as an extra hint of umami from the mushroom powder seasoning that’s included in its list of ingredients.

Photo courtesy of Mr. Bing

Mr. Bing

Chef Jet Tila’s family were real pioneers in the food industry when they founded the first Thai market in Los Angeles, so it should come as no surprise that his version comes in a 64-ounce food-service size for the industry—or for those of us who have an insatiable appetite for spice at home. (The sauce also comes in smaller standard sizes.) Bing’s site says that their version is “a kicked-up interpretation of a northern Chinese classic, straight from our Beijing street carts… fusing together four smoky and fruity peppers that add heat, but aren’t burn-your-face-off spicy. Mushroom powder plus layers of garlic and onion give our crisp a savory deliciousness… every jar is a perfect balance of sweetness, spice, umami, and of course crunch.”

Photo courtesy of Trader Joe’s

Trader Joe’s

Trader Joe’s might be the go-to for all your snacking needs, but it has a lot more to offer than chips and cookies. The brand, which started from humble beginnings in the foothills of Pasadena, now offers some killer condiments like the Crunchy Chili Onion, which you can literally drizzle on everything from dumplings and fried rice to a simple baked chicken breast. This spicy-yet-garlicky spread will give any dish a much-needed kick.

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