I'm an international student from China studying in New York right now. Well more precisely I'm from Sichuan, where people are known for liking eating spicy food. There's a popular saying among overseas Chinese students that "Lao Gan Ma (Old Auntie or something similar) is the goddess of Chinese students overseas". Funny but true!!! When we are not used to other non-Chinese food yet, we totally miss the taste! With this chili sauce, it's like being at home again. But the price of this on amazon is incredibly expensive, back in China, it costs less than ONE US DOLLAR! Oh... I miss China and Chinese food!

Recently received my order of the Lao Gan Ma Chili Crisp Sauce as well as the Black Bean sauce from the same manufacturer. This stuff is like Crack ! Yummy, Addictive ... I cook up some noodles and have standing by in the fridge, then for lunch slice some cucumbers, cilantro, throw in some cooked shrimp (in the bag from the grocery store), a little fish sauce, some lemon juice, and if that wouldn't have been enough then add a dollop of Chili Crisp and Black Bean ... better than sex .... look forward to experimenting further with both of these products .. the only negatives are consistent with some of the other reviews : expensive here versus if you are lucky enough to be in an area that has Asian markets that carries these as they are then about 1/4 of the cost, plus as previously described the Asian Crisp jar lid isn't secured there is some minor leakage into the shipping package but who am I to complain when the outcome is an out-of-body experience ....

This stuff is dangerously addictive. You've been warned. I was trying to find chili oil at the local Asian market and was disappointing with my finds. I wanted something similar to what I got at the Szechuan restaurant. Well I then came across this and was please with the reviews then purchased two jars. SO GLAD I DID. It is oil based, however, is jam packed with crispy chili flakes filled to the top. It does have some tiny peanut pieces that are crispy toasty, yum. The heat is very notable and smooth. It is quite salty, also. Great condiment!