Lao Gan Ma (Chinese Chilli Oil)
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Lao Gan Ma is one of China's best-known chilli sauce brands, founded in Guizhou province and instantly recognisable by the portrait of its founder, Tao Huabi, on every jar. The name roughly translates as "old godmother". Its jars of chilli in oil have become a pantry staple well beyond China, and it is the brand many people first meet when they discover chilli crisp.
The range includes several styles. The jar pictured here is Chilli Sauce with Chicken, which has chilli and savoury chicken pieces in oil; others include the popular Spicy Chili Crisp and versions with fermented black beans. Stir a spoonful through noodles, fried rice or congee, spoon it over fried eggs and dumplings, or mix it into dipping sauces and dressings. Stir the jar first so you get both the oil and the crunchy bits.
Ingredients
Most Lao Gan Ma sauces are based on chilli, soybean oil and seasonings such as salt, sugar, garlic and Sichuan pepper, with extras like chicken, fermented soybeans or peanuts depending on the jar. Recipes vary across the range, so check the label of the one you buy, especially for allergens.
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