Bored of Tabasco? 5 Asian-influenced chilli sauces to try, from Fly By Jing to Poon’s London

Jul 21 , 2024

Asian chefs such as the US’ David Chang of Momofuku have raised the profile of Asian flavours leading customers to want more complexity from their hot sauce. Hong Kong’s Fiyah! Heat Store offer a range of sauces for chilli-lovers looking to go beyond Lee Kum Kee and Tabasco to explore more complex flavours. Photos: Handout

Hong Kong

So long, sriracha! Chefs such as Momofuku’s David Chang have inspired a craving for more complex spice in our lives – may we suggest Empress Hot Sauce, Flagrant Sauce, A Spark of Madness, and more

Ta ta, Tabasco! So long, sriracha! Today, more titillating chilli sauces are trending thanks to their umami flavour and irresistible combinations of sweet, spicy and savoury.

For many years, the international commercial hot sauce market was dominated by American brands such as Tabasco and Frank’s, known for their tangy mix of peppers and vinegar. The rise in interest in Asian food and chefs such as David Chang of Momofuku in the US has since brought more of the region’s flavours into the spotlight.

“It’s a combination of factors – a market that is growing exponentially, a broadening palate for heat and an increased understanding of Chinese food around the world. Sriracha paved the way for a different type of hot sauce that is less vinegar and more about textures and umami flavours,” says Tim Sedo, co-founder of Fiyah! Heat Store, an e-commerce site that specialises in hot sauces.

While established brands like Lee Kum Kee have dominated the Asian chilli sauce market, a new generation of artisanal brands are bringing a modern twist to classic favourites. These sauces are a level up from the home-made varieties offered at your local dai pai dong and many have been developed by trained chefs who like to experiment with different ferments, flavour combinations and textures.

Best thing about these new sauces is that there are no limits on what you can pair them with (apparently vanilla ice cream and crispy chilli oil is life changing).

“I’d say these types of hot sauces are where craft beer was 10 years ago and the market is ready to boom,” adds Sedo. “The crispy chilli oils are the most popular variety right now but I think sambals [Southeast Asian sauces] are next.”

5 hot sauce brands to try

1. Empress Hot Sauce

Launched in 2020, Empress is the brainchild of Jane Chen and Alex Denner. Following a move from New York to Taipei, the duo were inspired to create a range of flavour-packed sauces that showcased Taiwan’s agriculture. The vinegar-based sauces run the spectrum from mildly spicy – the Pineapple Miso highlights the country’s Golden Diamond pineapples – to the fiery ghost pepper Maqaw, infused with Taiwan’s indigenous maqaw berries and grapefruit to add a citrus twist.