Lao Gan Ma Chilli Crisp: What It Is & How to Use It

Lao Gan Ma Chilli Crisp: What It Is & How to Use It

If there’s one jar that has quietly taken over pantries from Shanghai to Sorrento, it’s Lao Gan Ma chilli crisp. It’s the one with the stern-looking woman on the label and a layer of crunchy, chilli-flecked oil that turns a bowl of plain rice into dinner.

This guide covers what Lao Gan Ma chilli crisp actually is, how it differs from chilli oil, the easiest ways to use it, and which jar to pick from the range.

What is Lao Gan Ma chilli crisp?

Lao Gan Ma means “old godmother”. The brand was founded by Tao Huabi in China’s Guizhou province, and her face is still on every jar.

Chilli crisp is a chilli oil loaded with crunchy bits: dried chilli, fried onion, fermented soybeans and Sichuan pepper, all sitting in a rich, savoury oil. It’s less of a hot sauce and more of a crunchy, savoury condiment, with heat that builds rather than bites.

Ingredients: Soybean oil, chilli, fried onion, fermented soybeans (douchi: soybeans, water), salt, sugar, Sichuan pepper powder, flavour enhancer (621).

Allergens: Contains soy.

Chilli crisp vs chilli oil: what’s the difference?

It comes down to the ratio of crispy bits to oil.

• Chilli crisp is mostly the good stuff: crunchy chilli, onion and soybean pieces with oil to bind them. You spoon it on.
• Chilli oil is mostly oil, with chilli flakes settled at the bottom. You drizzle it.

Lao Gan Ma makes both styles, plus versions with peanuts, minced pork and fermented soybeans. More on those below.

How to use Lao Gan Ma chilli crisp

You don’t need a recipe. If a dish tastes a bit flat, a spoonful of chilli crisp usually fixes it. Here are the easiest places to start.

1. Rice and fried rice

Spoon it over steamed rice and you’ve got a meal. For fried rice, stir it through at the very end so the crunchy bits stay crunchy.

2. Eggs, any style

Fried eggs with lacy edges, soft scrambled eggs, or a jammy boiled egg on toast. A spoonful of chilli crisp on top beats any breakfast hot sauce.

3. Noodles

Toss it through hot noodles with a splash of soy sauce and black vinegar. Add sesame oil and spring onion, and dinner is done in ten minutes.

4. Dumpling dipping sauce

Mix it with black vinegar and a little soy sauce. It turns frozen dumplings into something worth sharing.

5. Stir-fries

Add it at the end, after the wok comes off the heat. Cooking it too long softens the crisp.

6. Soups and broths

Swirl a spoonful into wonton soup, ramen or a simple chicken broth just before serving.

7. Avocado toast

Smash avocado on sourdough, top with chilli crisp and finish with a squeeze of lime.

8. Pizza

Use it instead of chilli flakes. It’s especially good on a margherita, a mushroom pizza or anything with salami.

9. Chilli crisp mayo

Stir it through mayonnaise for a sandwich spread or burger sauce, or as a dip for hot chips.

10. Roast veg

Toss roasted pumpkin, broccoli or cauliflower in chilli crisp straight from the oven, while they’re still hot and sizzling.

Which Lao Gan Ma should you buy?

The range can be confusing, so here’s the short version.

Spicy Chilli Crisp (the classic)

This is the one most people mean when they say Lao Gan Ma: maximum crunch and an all-rounder. Our Lao Gan Ma Spicy Chilli Crisp 670g is the big jar for households who go through it fast, or for cafés and restaurants.

Chilli Sauce with Peanuts

This version adds peanuts for extra crunch and a nuttier, rounder flavour. It’s great on noodles and cold tofu. It contains peanuts, so it’s not for anyone with a nut allergy. Shop Lao Gan Ma Chilli Sauce with Peanuts.

Chilli Sauce with Minced Pork

This one is meatier and more savoury, almost like a ready-made noodle topping. Spoon it straight onto rice or noodles. It contains pork, so it’s not suitable for vegetarians. Shop Lao Gan Ma Chilli Sauce with Minced Pork.

Chilli Sauce with Fermented Soybean

This has a deeper, saltier, more funky flavour from the fermented soybeans. It’s excellent in stir-fries and braises, or mixed into mapo-style tofu. Shop Lao Gan Ma Chilli Sauce with Fermented Soybean.

Can’t decide? Browse the full Lao Gan Ma collection and start with the classic.

Tips for getting the most out of the jar

• Dig to the bottom. The best crispy bits sink, so if you only skim the oil off the top, you’re missing out.
• Stir before using. Mixing redistributes the chilli, onion and oil evenly.
• Use a clean, dry spoon. It keeps the jar in good condition for longer.
• Add it at the end. Chilli crisp is a finishing condiment, not a frying oil.
• Storage: [PLACEHOLDER – copy from your label]

Lao Gan Ma, delivered on the Mornington Peninsula

We’re based at 106 Melbourne Road, Rye. If you’re on the Peninsula, your chilli crisp can arrive with local delivery. Rye, Rosebud, Sorrento, Dromana and the southern Peninsula get deliveries on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and Mornington, Mt Martha, Mt Eliza, Hastings and surrounds get them on Tuesday and Thursday.

Delivery costs $6.95 on orders over $30 and is free over $120, so it’s worth adding a jar of each to try.

Not on the Peninsula? We ship Australia-wide.

Lao Gan Ma chilli crisp FAQs

Is Lao Gan Ma chilli crisp very spicy?

It’s warm rather than fierce. Most people find it more savoury and crunchy than hot, with heat that builds slowly. The Sichuan pepper adds a gentle tingle too. Start with a teaspoon if you’re heat-shy, then add more once you know how much you like. Most chilli lovers end up using it by the spoonful.

Do I need to refrigerate Lao Gan Ma after opening?

Check the storage instructions on your jar, as recommendations vary between products and labels. Whatever the label says, always use a clean, dry spoon and keep the lid tightly closed. That helps keep the oil fresh and the crispy bits crunchy, and stops moisture getting into the jar.

Is Lao Gan Ma chilli crisp vegetarian?

Some products in the range are vegetarian and some aren’t. The minced pork version contains pork, and the peanut version contains peanuts. Always check the ingredients and allergen panel on the product page or jar before buying, especially if you’re cooking for someone with dietary needs or allergies.

Where can I buy Lao Gan Ma chilli crisp in Australia?

You can buy Lao Gan Ma online at Petits Trésors, including the classic Spicy Chilli Crisp in a big 670g jar and versions with peanuts, minced pork and fermented soybean. We ship Australia-wide and offer local delivery across the Mornington Peninsula from our shop in Rye.

Ready to stock up?

Lao Gan Ma chilli crisp is the cheapest, fastest upgrade your pantry will get this year. Start with the classic, then work your way through the range.

Shop the Lao Gan Ma collection →