Umami Crisp - La Presse

Iris Gagnon-Paradis, La Presse
Saturday, September 13, 2025

Have you fallen under the spell of “chili crisp” too?
Made with fried chili peppers, spices, and aromatics soaked in oil, this condiment originating from Chinese cuisine has been gaining popularity all over the world.

A local company, The Foodie Family — best known for its spice crayon — has just launched its own version of the condiment. Offered in three flavors (Original, Spicy, and Truffle), Umami Crisp is a crunchy chili oil similar to the classic version, but with a more liquid texture and an all-natural composition featuring Korean Gochugaru chili.

Here, monosodium glutamate is replaced with natural flavor enhancers such as porcini mushrooms, nutritional yeast, and black sesame seeds. And you can put it on everything: salads, ramen soups, even marinades!