The Coveted Restaurant Condiment You Can Find At Whole Foods
There are plenty of good reasons to be shopping at Whole Foods, but we're always excited to add one more item to the board.
Whole Foods has been a staple in the growing health foods grocery market since it first opened its doors in 1980. As The List points out, since being acquired by Amazon, Whole Foods has seen reduced prices as well making it easier than ever for more people to enjoy the unique shopping experience. Included in that experience is getting to know local businesses, picking out groceries with a drink in your hand, and discovering produce you never would have found otherwise.
Now, Whole Foods will be helping expand the reach of the David Chang culinary empire by stocking one of his Momofuku condiments in stores. Many may know Chang from his Netflix series, "Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner", and "Ugly Delicious", but before he was on streaming platforms, Chang was a chef and restaurateur. His first restaurant was the Momofuku Noodle Bar, and now you can get Momofuku Chili Crunch at Whole Foods, per Food & Wine.
History of Momofuku
Just because you love chili crunch, you might not be dashing out to Whole Foods to pick up some of this new take on the condiment though. Understanding what makes this Momofuku edition of chili crunch is easier once you know more about Chang's culinary approach.
According to Chang's own memoir "Eat a Peach", via Wall Street Journal Magazine, the early days of Momofuku Noodle Bar in 2004 were a total mess. Time recalls that Chang had decided to go to culinary school after an unpromising start in finance, and would open his noodle bar only four years after graduating.
In his memoir, Chang recalls a night out with a co-worker that served as the turning point for the struggling restaurant. After that night, Chang started playing by his own rules and borrowing from unique sources for inspiration. He would craft a new menu around many of these ideas, and by 2006 would be declared as Food & Wine's Best New Chef.
Chang has since expanded his culinary empire based on many of these ideals, and the Momofuku condiments are a great way to enjoy that experience at home.
What makes Momofuku chili crunch unique
The Momofuku chili crunch sauce is a sort of fusion cuisine approach to this condiment. Yahoo! Life reports that variations of chili oils have existed in Asia for a very long time. There also isn't a single idea of what chili crunch or chili oil is besides oil infused with the heat from red chili peppers. From there, many additional layers of umami and other crisp ingredients provide texture and depth beyond the chili's heat.
Woks of Life adds that one of the most common brands is Lao Gan Ma which itself has several variations of chili oils. Some of these varieties have preserved black beans, while others use peanuts, or fermented soybeans along with staples like garlic and ginger to create a flavor-packed oil.
Momofuku's own take on chili crunch uses many of the same principles but combines them with ideas taken from Mexican salsas as well. It combines three Mexican chilis with fried garlic and shallots. Currently, the sauce is available online and at Whole Foods. While you're there you can also pick up some of Momofuku's Ssäm Sauce which has been a staple since the early days of the noodle bar.