The Best Chili Crisp Brands Compared: Fly By Jing vs. Lao Gan Ma & More (2025 Review)

Chili crisp has exploded in popularity over the past few years, transitioning from a niche Chinese pantry staple to a must-have condiment in kitchens worldwide. With so many brands now vying for a spot on your shelf, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Should you stick with the iconic Lao Gan Ma, or is the newer, premium Fly By Jing worth the higher price tag? In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll put the leading chili crisp brands head-to-head, evaluating flavor, heat level, texture, ingredient quality, and versatility. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a curious newcomer, this guide will help you find your perfect jar.

We tested multiple chili crisps side by side, including Fly By Jing’s Sichuan Chili Crisp, Lao Gan Ma’s classic Spicy Chili Crisp, and a few other popular contenders. Our focus was on real-world use: how they taste straight from the jar, how they perform as a cooking ingredient, and how they elevate everyday dishes like noodles, eggs, rice, and dumplings. We also considered ingredient transparency, sourcing, and overall value. Read on to discover which chili crisp earns the top spot in 2025.

What Makes a Great Chili Crisp? Key Criteria for Comparison

Before diving into brand-specific reviews, it’s important to establish what we look for in a top-tier chili crisp. First, the flavor profile should be complex: a balance of smoky, savory, spicy, and slightly sweet notes, with a deep umami foundation. Second, the texture matters immensely. The best chili crisps offer a satisfying crunch from fried garlic, shallots, and soybeans, alongside tender chili flakes. Third, the heat level should be present but not overwhelming, allowing you to use it generously without numbing your palate. Finally, ingredient quality and sourcing are increasingly important to discerning home cooks. A great chili crisp uses high-quality oil, non-GMO soybeans, and authentic Sichuan chilies like Erjingtiao chilis.

We also considered versatility. A chili crisp that works well as a finishing condiment on eggs or avocado toast, as a stir-fry ingredient, and as a dipping sauce for dumplings scores higher. We looked at price per ounce, packaging, and how well each brand maintains its crunch over time. Our testing was done blind to avoid brand bias, with multiple tasters evaluating each sample on a scale of 1 to 10 across these categories.

• Flavor complexity: smoky, savory, spicy, umami
• Texture: crunch from fried alliums and soybeans
• Heat level: balanced, not one-dimensional
• Ingredient quality: authentic Sichuan chilies, clean oil
• Versatility: works on noodles, eggs, rice, stir-fries, and more

Fly By Jing Sichuan Chili Crisp: The Premium Contender

Fly By Jing’s Sichuan Chili Crisp has quickly become a cult favorite among food enthusiasts, and for good reason. Founded by Jing Gao, the brand sources ingredients directly from Sichuan province, including the prized Erjingtiao chilis, which are known for their bright red color and fruity, medium heat. The oil is a blend of expeller-pressed sunflower and cold-pressed rapeseed oil, providing a clean, neutral base that lets the chilies and aromatics shine. The texture is exceptional: large, crunchy pieces of fried garlic and shallots, along with fermented soybeans that add a deep savory note. The heat is moderate and builds pleasantly, with a hint of numbing Sichuan peppercorn that adds complexity without being overpowering.

In our blind taste test, Fly By Jing scored highest overall for flavor complexity and texture. It’s incredibly versatile: we loved it on scrambled eggs, stirred into ramen, and as a finishing touch on avocado toast. It also performs beautifully in cooking, adding a smoky depth to stir-fries and braises. While it is pricier than many competitors, the quality of ingredients and the artisanal production process justify the cost for those who value authenticity and flavor. For a complete noodle experience, try it with the Creamy Sesame Noodles for a rich, spicy twist.

Lao Gan Ma Spicy Chili Crisp: The Classic Benchmark

No chili crisp comparison is complete without Lao Gan Ma, the iconic brand that introduced many Westerners to this condiment. Founded in 1996 by Tao Huabi, Lao Gan Ma’s classic Spicy Chili Crisp is a staple in Chinese households and restaurants worldwide. It features a similar base of fried garlic, shallots, and soybeans, but with a noticeably different flavor profile. The heat is more direct and less complex, with a stronger emphasis on salt and savory notes. The texture is crunchier and more uniform, with smaller pieces that distribute evenly. The oil is heavier and can sometimes feel greasy, but it’s undeniably satisfying on simple dishes like rice or noodles.

Lao Gan Ma’s main advantage is price and availability. It’s widely sold in most grocery stores and online for a fraction of the cost of premium brands. In our test, it performed well as a quick flavor booster, but lacked the nuanced, layered taste of Fly By Jing. It’s a reliable workhorse, but not a showstopper. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option that gets the job done, Lao Gan Ma is a solid choice. However, for those seeking a more refined, artisanal experience, Fly By Jing clearly pulls ahead. Pair it with the Classic Soy Noodles for a simple, satisfying meal.

• Lao Gan Ma is more affordable and widely available
• Fly By Jing offers superior ingredient quality and flavor complexity
• Both are crunchy, but Fly By Jing’s pieces are larger and more varied
• Fly By Jing includes Sichuan peppercorn for a subtle numbing effect

Other Notable Chili Crisp Brands: How They Stack Up

Beyond Fly By Jing and Lao Gan Ma, several other brands have entered the chili crisp market. Momofuku’s Chili Crunch, created by chef David Chang, is a popular competitor. It features a similar ingredient list but with a stronger emphasis on sesame seeds and a slightly sweeter profile. In our test, it was enjoyable but less authentic, with a texture that leaned more towards a crunchy oil than a true chili crisp. Another contender is Huy Fong’s Chili Garlic Sauce, which is more of a wet paste than a crisp, and lacks the fried allium texture entirely. It’s better suited for cooking than as a finishing condiment.

We also tested a few smaller, artisanal brands like Burlap & Barrel’s Chili Crisp, which uses single-origin spices and organic sunflower oil. While the quality was high, the flavor was less balanced, with a dominant smoky note that overshadowed the chilies. For most home cooks, Fly By Jing remains the best all-rounder, offering the perfect balance of heat, crunch, and umami. If you want to explore the full range of Fly By Jing’s offerings, consider the Chili Crisp Duo, which lets you compare their classic and extra-spicy versions side by side.

Which Chili Crisp Should You Buy? Our Verdict

After extensive testing, we recommend Fly By Jing’s Sichuan Chili Crisp as the best overall chili crisp for 2025. It excels in every category: flavor, texture, ingredient quality, and versatility. While it costs more than Lao Gan Ma, the difference is noticeable and worth it for anyone who truly loves spicy condiments. Lao Gan Ma remains a great value option for everyday cooking, especially if you’re using it in large quantities or on a budget. For those who want to try something different, Momofuku’s Chili Crunch is a decent alternative, but it doesn’t match the authenticity or depth of Fly By Jing.

Ultimately, the best chili crisp for you depends on your priorities. If you value bold, authentic Sichuan flavors and are willing to invest in a premium product, Fly By Jing is the clear winner. If you need a cheap, reliable option for bulk use, Lao Gan Ma will serve you well. But for the ultimate chili crisp experience, one that elevates everything from noodles to eggs to roasted vegetables, Fly By Jing is the brand to beat.

Ready to upgrade your chili crisp game? Explore Fly By Jing’s award-winning Sichuan Chili Crisp and discover the difference that premium ingredients and authentic Sichuan techniques make. Whether you're drizzling it over noodles, stirring it into soups, or using it as a dipping sauce, this chili crisp will quickly become your new kitchen essential. Visit the Fly By Jing store to grab a jar today.