Max Boonthanakit grew up with chili oil always on the table. When he began making his own, his goal was simple: to create one with real flavor.

Boon Sauce is slow-cooked in Los Angeles in small batches. The base is canola oil, loaded with chilies, shallots, garlic, anchovies, fennel, and Sichuan peppercorn. The anchovies are the secret. They dissolve into the oil and give it a savory depth that most chili oils skip entirely. The Sichuan peppercorn adds a gentle tingle without numbing your mouth. The heat sits right in the middle, enough to notice, not enough to ruin your meal.

Spice level: 6/10 🔥 Size: 8oz

Use it on eggs, rice, noodles, pizza, dumplings, avocado toast, grilled fish, and roasted vegetables. Stir it into dressings. Use it as a cooking oil. Put it on things you wouldn't expect and see what happens. It works on basically everything.