Chinese Chili Oil

Classic Chili Oil

Chinese Chili Oil or 辣椒油 (Làjiāo Yóu) is a flavored oil made by infusing dried chili peppers in hot oil. It has a sharp, aromatic flavor and is often used in Sichuan cuisine. The oil can also contain additional aromatics such as garlic, ginger, or Sichuan pepper.

Crispy Chili Oil

Crispy Chili Oil or “Xiāng Là Cuì” (香辣脆) is a variant of Chinese chili oil in which chili flakes, roasted garlic, and fried shallots are covered with hot, seasoned oil. Typical flavor carriers alongside the chili peppers are Sichuan pepper, star anise, and peanuts or sesame. The interplay of spice, umami, and the crispiness of the fried shallots makes it a popular topping for noodles, dumplings, and soups.

Lao Gan Ma

You’ll probably find the various chili oils from the Lao Gan Ma brand most frequently in Asian supermarkets. You can recognize the brand by the jars with red labels and the stern-faced portrait of the founder.