Best chilli oil in Singapore
During my recent cha chaan teng-hopping adventures in Hong Kong, I realised something important: chilli oil is indispensable to everyday Chinese cuisine. Back home in Singapore, I would just stroll past the chilli oil aisle at the supermarket, pick up our usual family brand, and be on my way. But after putting this condiment on practically everything I had in Hong Kong, I thought it’d be interesting to showcase and compare the different brands to find the best chilli oil in Singapore.
The criteria
I have identified the specific qualities of an ideal chilli oil. The bottles we bought will be judged as such.
Heat level: The chilli should be spicy, but not too spicy! It shouldn’t make me reach for water after every bite.
Texture: There has to be a satisfying crunchiness from the fried shallots and garlic. The crunchier the better.
Fragrance: A good chilli oil must be aromatic with ingredients such as garlic, shallots, or sesame.
Value: Most should be able to purchase it at their local supermarket without the cost being a cause of concern.
Flavour: This is the key factor that makes a brand stand out. It should incorporate a variety of flavours beyond just spice.
FYI, I will try the chilli oil with dim sum for a fair gauge since it’s a classic Cantonese fare that goes perfectly with the condiment.
9. Din Tai Fung Taiwan Chilli Oil
Din Tai Fung Taiwan Chilli Oil is the most bougie brand on the list. At a staggering price of $12+, this is the same condiment as the one you find at their restaurants.
At first glance, I was not impressed by the runny texture of the chilli oil. In the taste department though, I liked how this sauce had pronounced peppery and smoky flavours of dried chilli, and I appreciate that it wasn’t too spicy. Given the high price and poor texture, Din Tai Fung Taiwan Chilli Oil came in at nine on the list.
Heat level: 3/5
Texture: 1/5
Fragrance: 3/5
Value: 1/5
Flavour: 4/5
Total: 48%
8. S&B Crunchy Garlic With Chili Oil
I usually come across the S&B Crunchy Garlic With Chili Oil at Don Don Donki, and the small and cute bottle never fails to catch my attention. For such a fun-sized bottle, this costs $6.31. Naturally, I went into it with high expectations, thinking that there must be a reason why it’s pricey.
The first thought that came to mind when I tried it was that the sauce was not spicy at all. It was really crunchy and garlicky though, with large slices of deep-fried garlic packed with every bite of the har gao. There was even a subtle nutty aroma from the sesame oil in the sauce which was particularly delightful. But I don’t see myself purchasing this again for its price!
Heat level: 1/5
Texture: 5/5
Fragrance: 3/5
Value: 2/5
Flavour: 3/5
Total: 56%
7. Toh’s Daily Chilli Garlic
In case you didn’t know, Toh’s Daily was originally a home-based business. Fun fact, the founder saw the soaring popularity of his chilli oil when he worked in a restaurant in Japan! You can get your hands on the Toh’s Daily Chilli Garlic ($9.37) at NTUC’s physical stores.
I was initially greeted by the nutty flavour of sesame, followed by a pronounced sweetness and garlicky taste. Upon adding a dollop of this chilli oil to my har gao, I found that the dim sum was accompanied by the chunkiness of sesame seeds and the crunch of fried garlic bits, which I really enjoyed! I wished it was spicier though, as the kick of spice was rather lacking.
Heat level: 2/5
Texture: 5/5
Fragrance: 4/5
Value: 1/5
Flavour: 4/5
Total: 64%
6. Maepranom Chili Paste Nam Prik Pao
Hailing from Thailand, Maepranom is a household brand that many of my Thai friends swear by. I found a bottle of the Maepranom Chili Paste Nam Prik Pao at the Thai Supermarket priced at $3.90.
It’s easy to see why my friends have considered this brand a staple in their kitchen pantry. The sauce had a paste-like texture that did not resemble a conventional chilli oil. However, I liked that the spiciness and garlicky taste reminded me of the chilli sauce from McDonald’s, except it also had the subtle flavours of tamarind and shrimp. There was a bit of sweetness as an aftertaste too.
Heat level: 3/5
Texture: 3/5
Fragrance: 4/5
Value: 3/5
Flavour: 4/5
Total: 68%
5. Crystal Jade Hong Kong Style Chilli Oil
The Crystal Jade Hong Kong Style Chilli Oil ($9.59) is another fancy brand on this list. I did not have to visit the restaurant as I could buy this bottle at physical NTUC stores, which was convenient and accessible.
Every scoop was chunky and packed with a pungent smell and umami flavour of hae bee. It went exceptionally well with carrot cake as it added some heat to the otherwise simple dim sum. Also, the briny shrimp flavour complemented the sweetness of lup cheong well. The downside was that the spiciness lingered on for some time, which I found too intense for me.
Heat level: 3/5
Texture: 4/5
Fragrance: 5/5
Value: 2/5
Flavour: 4/5
Total: 72%
4. Kwong Cheong Thye Crispy Chilli
Kwong Cheong Thye is a brand that has been making soya sauce for more than 130 years and is lauded for being the go-to soya sauce supplier for many famous restaurants in Singapore such as Peach Blossom and Putien. With such a long history, I had high expectations for their chilli oil.
The highlight of the Kwong Cheong Thye Crispy Chilli ($6) was the distinct flavour of ikan bilis, giving the chilli oil a lovely aroma and robust flavour that reminded me of sambal. On top of fried garlic bits, I liked the textural addition of crispy ikan bilis. This would have gotten full marks in terms of flavour had it not been so spicy, which made it difficult to eat without having to sniffle every other minute.
Heat level: 2/5
Texture: 5/5
Fragrance: 5/5
Value: 2.5/5
Flavour: 4/5
Total: 74%
3. Amocan Chilli Prawn Crunch
Amocan AKA Amoy Canning is another old-school brand that has been around since 1951. You must get the Amocan Chilli Prawn Crunch ($5.25) if you love a lot of crunch in your chilli oil. This bottle was filled with mostly dried shrimp and chilli flakes, with only a little oil inside. Do note that the fragrance of hae bee was particularly strong as I could smell it from an arm’s length away.
Besides the great texture, the shrimpy flavours were also on point. Add a scoop of this to your har gao and get the best combination of umami meatiness and peppery goodness.
Heat level: 2/5
Texture: 5/5
Fragrance: 4/5
Value: 3/5
Flavour: 4/5
Total: 76%
2. Lao Gan Ma Spicy Chili Crisp
Priced at only $3.56, the iconic Lao Gan Ma Spicy Chili Crisp is the cheapest on this list. This is also the brand that most of my colleagues have at their homes.
Ironically, the sauce was not as crispy as the name suggests. Yes, it was spicy, but still tolerable! Aside from the spice level, I liked that the distinct nutty fragrance complemented the spice well. Also, every bite of my siew mai was filled with the smokiness of cumin and dry chilli, which are flavours that I did not expect to go well with dim sum.
Heat level: 3/5
Texture: 2.5/5
Fragrance: 4/5
Value: 5/5
Flavour: 5/5
Total: 78%
1. Lee Kum Kee Chiu Chow Chilli Oil
The well-loved Lee Kum Kee Chiu Chow Chilli Oil takes the number one spot on this list. This brand can only be found in Sheng Siong for $3.75, making it the second most affordable chilli oil out of all the nine brands!
To me, this was the quintessential chilli oil. It struck the perfect balance of spice and sesame flavour, complemented by a bit of crunch from the bits of deep-fried garlic. It was also not too spicy, making it an excellent addition to any dish without overpowering the existing flavours.
Heat level: 5/5
Texture: 2/5
Fragrance: 5/5
Value: 5/5
Flavour: 4/5
Total: 84%
Where to get the best chilli oil in Singapore
I thoroughly enjoyed the fiery tasting session with my colleagues, as we indulged in dim sum and many different chilli oil brands. Since chilli oil is a kitchen staple in many Asian households, we are bound to have biases towards the brands we are loyal to, so ranking these sauces objectively was a challenge. But rest assured that I’ve done my best to keep my ratings as fair as possible! If you have been looking to switch up your chilli oil at home, we hope this list can help you to make a more swift decision.
In related content, check out the best Korean ramyeon in Singapore. Else, read our guide to the best Chongqing grilled fish in Singapore.
12 Best Instant Korean Ramyeon In Singapore Ranked
Photos taken by Hor Kia Ee.
This was an independent review by Eatbook.
The post 9 Best Chilli Oil In Singapore Ranked, Including Lao Gan Ma And Din Tai Fung appeared first on EatBook.sg – Local Singapore Food Guide And Review Site.
