This story was first published on June 3, 2021. Anyone who has had Chinese chili crisp or chili oil will almost undoubtedly become a fan. This condiment has a cult-like following — and for good reason: It’s a flavor bomb, incredibly nuanced, usually spicy, full of umami and goes with almost anything . Plus, it’s a spicy condiment that typically isn’t vinegar-based, so if you have an aversion to vinegar, you’ll love it even more.
San Francisco restaurant China Live has a Chili Bean Sauce that doesn’t have crunchy bits, but is delicious nonetheless, featuring broad beans, spicy chao tian jiao chili pepper and fermented soybean for some divine funk. Even Trader Joe’s has a Chile Onion Crunch — something Al Roker said “changed life“ — which packs flavor with dried onions, garlic and red pepper, but no heat.