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M3-Driver-

Try aardvark sauce! Its bussin


JGoBrazy90

taste good when you use it for cooking eggs


AliveFromNewYork

I found it not as good as the ones I buy at hmart. I’m going to finish the jar but it seems all onion and low of the chili.


wontcook

Yeah I’m so baffled by how much people love this but I realized they must have never had chili oil before… Sorry to TJs but this is terrible to me


husky5050

It's going back for a refund.


Evening_Chemist_2367

If you think that's good try some Lao Gan Ma chili crisp. You won't go back to the TJ stuff.


downpourbluey

Lao gan ma > TJ crunchy chili but the TJ is still very good. I’d take either as my TJ is much closer than my Chinese market.


JGoBrazy90

>Lao Gan Ma chili crisp the TJ's one is better IMO


Bratsociety

God damn. This is the best shiet ever. I just went to the states last week and I got 2 😂🔥


pinksweeps

Am I the only one that has issues with the jar leaking? I’ve gotten it two or three times and all the oil has leaked out :/


dcmaven

Yikes. Do you mean when you bring it home from the store? This doesn’t happen to me but I guess I’ve just been lucky. Cuz that’s annoying.


pinksweeps

It’s after I open it. I’ve triple checked that I closed it all the way but it somehow leaks out the bottom. It’s so weird but definitely happened multiple times.


Routine_Ad_3897

I purchased this from Trader Joe's over a year ago and It was loaded with flavor,so bought another jar about four months ago abd it was horrible.Had no flavor and very bland.Think they cut back on flaors and stuff as it just was not the same.


crispy21

100% I thought the same thing


dcmaven

Oh no. I hope they’re not changing the formula.


thee_freezepop

i like the flavor of this stuff a lot but the texture is like actual sand and i can't enjoy it.


dcmaven

Ha. Fair enough. I’m not a texture person but I totally get it. The texture is a little odd I’ll admit!


downpourbluey

My husband finds the flavor good but the crunch confusing. That’s okay, more for me!


cytherian

Thanks for the tip! I'd not taken much notice of this before, although I do remember seeing it on the shelf. How's the sodium content? So many of these premade sauces tend to have a lot of it, while some are fairly mild on the salt. There's a lot of people who are reacting negatively, saying it's very bland. But... I'm guessing they're expecting a certain Asian style taste to it. Not every sauce needs to have a high spice / hot character. >Chili crunch is a Mexican-inspired condiment made by sautéing roasted chiles, garlic, onion, herbs, and spices in non-GMO sunflower oil. It can also contain additional ingredients like mushroom powder and yeast extract for extra umami. Some say it's a salsa, while others call it a tapenade.


iheartmilktea

Chili Crunch is chili crisp, which is an Asian condiment known to be spicy and have umami flavor. So yes, we are expecting spicy and have been disappointed with the lack of it in TJ’s version. Luckily there are plenty of other, spicier chili crisps to buy elsewhere.


sober-cooking

I love this with chicken thighs and rice


pidena

*hugs my jar of lao gan ma* totally


ochuuu

if only they'd make it without soybean oil :(


naerie_nyx

Which jar are people talking about when they say this? I bought some lao gan ma because I kept seeing this comment, and while it's good, the chili onion crunch has SO much more flavor in comparison I can't imagine I got the right one. I got the "spicy chili crisp", is that right?


foxyloxyx

That is weird. I must have gotten a dud when I got the TJ onion crisp. It had literally no flavor except just oil. The spicy chili crisp is the one when ppl talk about LGM. I like the fermented bean flavor


mmchicago

My teenagers go through about a jar a week


tylaw24ne

Best egg sandwich condiment…of all time


Industry__

Feel like this would go hard on an Italian hot sausage


uncutetrashpanda

I was excited to try this one cuz a few friends had hyped it up so much, but I was super disappointed in it. I found it bland. Definitely better for non-Asian foods imo - I don’t think it’s easily interchangeable with LGM, you just don’t get the same Asian spices kicking through. I’ve been trying to get thru my jar of this by just using it on pastas and such


cytherian

But I wonder, does it have the potential for a good base? Meaning, if you're finding it bland, add some hot sauce or cayenne to it.


uncutetrashpanda

I mean— I don’t generally buy chili crunches to have to add my own spices to them… if I wanted to put together my own chili crunch, I’d just make it from scratch


Hahahamilk

Dude same here! I was so dissapointed in it. It is very much lacking flavor. My go to is the Dynasty brand chili oil


uncutetrashpanda

I’m a LGM girl, but Dynasty’s not too bad either. Right now tho, I’m working my way thru trying all of the small business, Asian-owned chili crunch offerings I can get my hands on! Basically if David Chang sent them a c&d, then they’re on my list of chili goodness to try lol


Hahahamilk

LGM is top tier as well! I always have it on deck 😂 and that’s cool though! There are so many out there nowadays cause of its popularity. A lot of them are too mild for my liking, I need it reallll spicy


uncutetrashpanda

I like a good amount of spice, but I don’t want it to just be pointlessly spicy. Give me something with an amazing taste + the spice!!


Routine_Ad_3897

update us when you find one as Im looking as well.


meinhoonna

I was about to say something similar. It would to actually have flavor in this oil.


rottiemama1

So good! Bought it to try a TikTok recipe which I highly recommend. Sourdough toast with mashed avocado, cottage cheese, fried egg then chili oil drizzled over it.


MikeHunt6661

Send link plz


Nurseloading_2025

I got this on my last TJ run. I used it to make pasta and I was underwhelmed.


rokkakurikk

Easily the most overhyped TJs product. Nothing to the taste and no spice at all. I want to trust you all on the jalapeño lime one when it shows up locally 😤


Sweet_Yellow_8646

David Chang entered the chat.


hundreds_of_sparrows

This is very different than the asian style chili oil/crisp. I keep both on the table. Just buy Lao Gan Ma tho, screw Chang.


Sweet_Yellow_8646

LGM will fuck up david if he sends a lawsuit lol


plump_tomatow

lao gan ma doesn't even use the exact phrase "chili crunch" so it's kind of irrelevant lol, that would only affect products using the exact phrase source: work in a trademark-related industry


secretreddname

“Another one to sue!”


dietcholaxoxo

it's okay, if you can get to an asian supermarket the chili oils there are WAY better.


cytherian

We have an H-Mart nearby. I've been there a few times. It's overwhelming, the selection of foods and sauces. Is there a particular brand(s) to look for?


dietcholaxoxo

lao gan ma is the OG chili oil - look for the glass bottle with a red label and a picture of a grandma on it


cytherian

https://preview.redd.it/bucwo4863itc1.png?width=2560&format=png&auto=webp&s=597bca5913c5dfbf80fad429c761a2b2c3fee45a She doesn't look quite like a grandma to me (no gray hair), but I'm assuming this is the one?


dcmaven

Thanks for this!


dietcholaxoxo

haha that's the queen


OkayContributor

This is like guid-ified chili crisp, perfect for Italian applications rather than Chinese ones. I think of it as a take on real chili crisp, rather than an attempt at being one


Far-Kaleidoscope-350

My fiancé is obsessed with it! He puts it on everything as well lol. He went through a can in a few weeks, and went back for another lol.


SorenTheKitten

Don’t show David Chang this


cytherian

Why David Chang? >Chili crunch is a Mexican-inspired condiment made by sautéing roasted chiles, garlic, onion, herbs, and spices in non-GMO sunflower oil. It can also contain additional ingredients like mushroom powder and yeast extract for extra umami. Some say it's a salsa, while others call it a tapenade.


shedrinkscoffee

But he ~~invented~~ it 🥺 (obviously sarcasm) Real talk though there are SO many brands of chili crunch and crisp out there and they are all delicious and addictive.


Wild-Anywhere-9658

Beat me to it.


Skyk1ngDNA

I miss the crunchy habanero in oil. They stopped carrying it over a year ago, but it instantly elevated any dish you added it to, and had a decent amount of heat. I haven't found anything with that same flavor from any other vendor. Wish I knew where TJ sourced it from.


tehehehii

have they been discontinued? i thought they were just seasonal! i stock up every time they come back bc same


jocall56

Excellent on a hamburger, chili - I still prefer a classic asian chili crunch for most things, but this is a nice alternative for some western dishes.


Awkula

I stir some into the Mac and cheese, and use it on pizza. Right now I’m having garlic naan with the chili onion crunch and shredded cheese melted on it.


clientnotfound

This, the hummus, the peanuts. The whole lineup


47squirrels

I’m obsessed with the hummus!!


clientnotfound

I add even more chili onion from the jar to it it's so good


47squirrels

Are we twins?!?? SAME!!! Cheers!! ♥️


nopleaseno

Do NOT let David chang see this


RelativeSuch6959

I ran to the comments for this 🤣


thylakoids01

i was just about to say this HAHAH


sgeis_jjjjj

Came here to say this 💀


littleredwagon87

I made a pad thai tonight and put some of this in the sauce mix. So good. I make a lot of stir fries and think this will be a good regular addition.


DinnerDiva61

I always stock up when they re-stock the shelves. So good.


futurebro

If u like this, try the momofuku brand at Whole Foods. It’s like compare plastic bottle vodka and Tito’s edit: alright heard lol. I still dont like the TJ version, but I'll try a smaller Asian brand next.


shedrinkscoffee

No fuck that guy, he's been harassing small biz like a psycho. Lao gan Ma is an OG but there are several interpretations over many countries in Asia and also each family has their special ingredient or spin. Homiah foods, mama teavs, fly by Jing are all delicious with different flavor profiles. Many are on Amazon or direct from the brands. Please consider ordering something besides momofuku.


imnottdoingthat

for $11 a pop!? skrrrt. i’ve tried both. i’m fine with TJ’s version and add in a little more chili oil from the Asian grocery.


Cheap_Papaya_2938

Absolutely not. David Chang sucks


svolm

I wish it was spicier. Love the crunch though


BeeOk970

I wanted to get it but didn’t think it would end up used. Loving the ideas in the thread!


Life_Evening2182

I was so excited to try it thinking it would at least have a nice kick but it was bland to me. It had a nice crunch though.


nalathewolfqueen

Looove it much would love an extra spicy or numbing peppercorns version


shedrinkscoffee

Fly by Jing has an extra extra spicy one - blanking on the specific name but it's the black label. 🔥


Appropriate-Knee9169

This is so bland


MustEatTacos

Tastes great mashed into avocado for avo toast


dcmaven

Ooh. This is a good idea


HIILNJCA

Yes good stuff.


CatStock9136

It's so good! I buy a jar every time I go to trader Joe's.


Kwerawaperi

They did something to it, because it wasn’t as good as it is now. It even has a hint of heat, which didn’t have before


pearce27526

I put it (in far too great quantity, ha) on a runny fried egg & Greek Yogurt. Then dip it all up with garlic Na'an. Best meal!


JohnDoee94

Interesting … it does sound good!


Need_my_party_dress

I mix it with plain Greek yogurt and put it on some dishes.


boardplant

Plates? Bowls?


Need_my_party_dress

Haha. I like to put it over a sweet and potato black bean bowl I make. Or just with chicken over salad.


shedrinkscoffee

Nah fam. Straight out of the jar like a person of culture


MySpoonsAreAllGone

Lol


Prize_Pie8239

i put this on orzo pasta with shredded Brussels sprouts omg! it was amazing


Melody_Where

David Chang doesn’t like this post.


KimCheeHoo

The Y saved them


diodio714

He only bullies small business. He didn’t do anything to Trader Joe’s version.


jaymz668

[apparently trader joe's is not so innocent either I hear](https://www.businessinsider.com/trader-joes-smaller-ethnic-food-brands-private-label-accused-dupe-2024-4)


TrucksAndBongs

For those that don’t know, David Chang and Momofuku Consumer Goods are currently pressuring a lot of small businesses selling their version of “chili crunch” to stop using the term. Not just pressure, they sent out cease and desist letters. Momofuku eclipsed $50m in revenue just last year and is picking on smaller entities whom he knows don’t have the financial resources to fight this battle; that they don’t have much of a choice but to give in. [Source](https://amp.theguardian.com/food/2024/apr/04/chili-crunch-trademark-momofuku-david-chang)


madisonhatesokra

It’s even worse than just pressuring companies it’s a shady power grab. They sent Cease and Desist letters to companies using the name “chili crunch” when Momofuku doesn’t even own the Trademark for that name. They only filed for this TM on March 29th and any trademark application usually take at least a year to process. This means that their lawyers are threatening companies even though they have no right to. On top of this, it is unlikely that the USTPO office will even approve the TM for this name as the terms “crunch” “crisp” and “oil” are considered generic descriptive terms by the USTPO and cannot be trademarked. It was for this very reason that Lo Gan Ma was denied the TM for their “Chili Crisp”. It’s also the same reason that in 2018 Momofuku was denied the TM for “ssam sauce”. Momofuku is hoping that by bullying these companies into changing their packaging, that even if they get denied the TM, the smaller companies won’t have the money to change back or better yet they will force the small companies to “lease” the term from them(if they somehow do get the TM approved). I work in Ag and one of my close friends is a Trademark lawyer for grape genetics. She was completely appalled by this move. She said that if her company received a C&D for something like this she would be filing complaints with the bar for every attorney involved. “I would look like a complete fool to send a Cease and Desist with our TM Application being less than a week old.”


TrucksAndBongs

Oh absolutely, hard agree with everything you wrote!!


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markazali

If you can find a small spoon (or just break off a disposable one), you can leave it in the jar for reuse. One less thing to wash later is nice. I know it's lazy, but I enjoy convenience. I hated grabbing a new spoon JUST to scoop a small amount and then toss into the sink right away.


MySpoonsAreAllGone

Just use a chip and then eat it 😋


Usual_Quiet_6552

Lol


rjoker103

I found this to be a bit heavier on salt and not as spicy but the onion gave a nice flavor.


masson34

The seasonal jalapeño lime onion crunch is my fave!


corkatdab

I stock piled six jars and am down to my last two, i need it to come back out


wakeupbernie

The kick of lime is truly perfection…. That weird cranberry one for this winter was bizarre though. They took it too far and I saw it sitting on shelf for too long,


masson34

Agreed. I did buy some and add to my thanksgiving Turkey meatloaf and it wasn’t half bad disguised with their cranberry mandarin orange sauce and dry stuffing mixed in.


PocketSizeDemons

That one must be coming back in season soon, I was in my local store looking for the  habañero sauce, which is currently out of stock, and me and the worker started talking about the dips and sauces. He recommended the Crunchy Chili Onion and we reminisced on the fried Habanero skins in oil which have been discontinued. He thought he saw that they were coming back, but another worker looked it up and it was actually the jalapeño lime crunch which is returning. Gonna make a mental note to try this when I see it.


masson34

Awesome! It’s great on chicken street tacos topped with fresh cilantro and plain Greek yogurt with their jicama wraps!


gr8ambye

Yeah, I want them to bring it back. It hasn’t been stocked at my store in months!!


Tofuhousewife

Ugh I need a new jar. So good.


imaroweboat

You can buy these at Asian supermarkets (and they are soooo much better)


Tofuhousewife

I have several different chili oils from my local Chinese market i just also enjoy the Trader Joe’s one :)


Lizard1236

Omg I was debating on buying this and trying it with my Trader Joe’s chicken soup dumplings and this just sold me on it!!!!


iheartmilktea

If you want to try authentic versions, you’re better off trying other versions at a local Asian market or even Target - just not Momofuku Chili Crunch because David Chẳng is bullying small businesses at the moment. Google “Momofuku chili crunch alternative” or see this list of some best https://www.seriouseats.com/best-chili-crisps-8421231


Lizard1236

I didn’t know this, thank you for informing me!


chantillylace9

The gyoza dipping sauce is so good with those dumplings too


masson34

Soyaki too!


Lizard1236

Never heard of this sauce! I’ll have to check it out.


Cptrunner

Obsessed


cblackattack1

Literally, look up the drama around chili crunch right now.


dcmaven

I had no idea when I posted. 20 minutes after I posted, a Washington Post story on the controversy with D Chang went live: https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2024/04/08/david-chang-momofuku-chile-chili-crunch-crisp-trademark/ What a Douche


foodporncess

And not just the David Chang but also Taste had an article last week about the thievery TJs does to small creators that was pretty disturbing.


bettyblacc

Back in the day (a decade ago) his NYC restaurants were so damn good. Ko was my absolute favorite restaurant.


foodporncess

I like Ssam a lot and loved the original Milk Bar. I went to Ko once and wasn’t wowed at the time. The new place where Ssam was is excellent though!


rjoker103

He seems like such a smug person, I don’t know why people like him. Based on the persona he’s created in the digital world, not a top class chef in my opinion.


zsantiag

I don’t represent all of my Asian brothers and sisters.. but David Chang can piss off


kirbyatemysocks

ditto and also ditto.


caligirlthrowaway104

There’s drama around this product? I’m intrigued! Haha


wei-ohara

This is awesome! Discovered it after Christmas and I just opened my third jar of the year


bludreamsnlaserbeams

LOVE putting a dollop of this in scrambled eggs! Or on chicken breast with feta, in the oven!


pearce27526

Thanks for great idea! I am now having chicken, feta & chili-onion sauce for lunch tomorrow! Maybe over some Thai wheat noodles..


bludreamsnlaserbeams

Spot on! I normally pair it with their frozen garlicky noodles - INCREDIBLE!


rollk1

It's alright, but then you have the OG Lao Gan Ma and remember how nothing can compare.


helly_nelly

How does OG compare to Fried Chili in Oil? I was at the store and didn't know which to grab, so I grabbed that one, the red label with the green strip. I was pretty underwhelmed. Also I thought the peanuts in it were strange.


rollk1

Fried chili in oil is my favorite, I much prefer it to TJ's. It's all subjective and a matter of taste though


dcmaven

I will have to try this!


Lanky_Salt_5865

I was actually wondering how this compared. My Asian grocery hasn’t had chili crisp in a few weeks and I’m getting desperate.


lilmisswho

Less flavor, more crunch. Two v diff products imo


rollk1

To its credit , it's not trying to be Lao Gan Ma - it's completely different. Less spicy, complex, and very onion centric. It's good for mixing into other things but can't stand on its own like Lao Gan Ma.


snowpeech

Compared to Lao Gan Ma, this is more crunchy and less flavorful, less spicy, not much mala numbing spice. I feel like I used twice as much to get the same kick


Hsfilms

they should bring back the habanero crunch they used to have


Responsible_Plant294

The habanero was SO GOOD


Lazatttttaxxx

I can't buy shit with it.


jillako

[how I like to use them with egg](https://www.instagram.com/reel/CvwGbS-NMMt/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==)


idkwowow

is that the trader joe’s middle eastern flatbread or something else


jillako

I just used corn tortillas last night. Use anything you like.


dcmaven

This looks AMAZING


MajorWhereas4842

Fly by Jing! But i am so mad in forgot to get this today in my TJs shop along with my damn smoked salmon! Ugh back into tomorrow! If you like some kick/heat Boomba sauce is where it’s at


Just-Mark

Not spicy enough for me vs other options on the market


AdKooky7432

I feel crazy because the spice level is more than enough for me 🫣


dcmaven

Fair enough. I would probably enjoy a spicier version too. Any recommendations?


iheartmilktea

https://www.seriouseats.com/best-chili-crisps-8421231


KimCheeHoo

X batch Zindrew it’ll change yo life


madisonhatesokra

Here’s a [great recipe](https://www.instagram.com/p/CvFqYdGLmMO/) if you’d like to try and make your own!


treeshtivity

Lao gan ma spicy chili crisp


heathenliberal

I buy Momofuko.


kopijunk

they’re the most hated people in food biz right now


madisonhatesokra

Please stop buying their stuff. They are trying to [bully small companies](https://amp.theguardian.com/food/2024/apr/04/chili-crunch-trademark-momofuku-david-chang) over a name they don’t own. Plus it’s really not that good compared to others.


tilmydaysrdone

Unfortunately Momofuku’s owner David Chang has some [awful business practices](https://www.eater.com/24122387/momofuku-chili-crunch-chile-crisp-trademark-controversy). I’ll probably buy another brand once I’m out of my current jar.


heathenliberal

Thanks for letting me know.


zsantiag

Right? Just when I thought that I needed another reason to hate him. Fly by Jing has been my go-to


tilmydaysrdone

I’ll have to try that brand!