Sichuan Dipping Chilies (Gan Die)

29 Reviews

This irresistible blend of chilies, Sichuan pepper, nuts and numerous other seasonings and secret ingredients is called gan die in Mandarin, meaning dry dish, but a better translation for this condiment in English is chili dip or dipping chilies. It is a spicy, nutty and tingly condiment with just the right amount of umami and heat. 

Dipping chilies make a frequent appearance in Sichuan, served as a dry dip with Sichuan hot pot. It is also sprinkled on and served alongside Sichuan-style shao kao BBQ. We've seen it served with finger foods like cured meats, a plate of roasted whole new potatoes and fried snacks.

Though it's usually eaten as a dip, feel free to sprinkle it on fresh fruit, raw vegetables and popcorn. And we often employ it as an ingredient in cooked dishes as well, in stir-fries and on roasts. 

We tasted many a Sichuan-made formulation for this dip, and not all are created equal. We held out until we found one that stands out! A good gan die is one that tastes great licked straight off your fingers. This one is nicely spicy, but not too hot to enjoy in generous amounts. 

Source: Handcrafted for The Mala Market in Chengdu, Sichuan
Size: 100 grams (3.5 ounces)
Ingredients: chilies, rapeseed oil, sesame, soybean, peanut, msg, salt, Sichuan pepper, sugar, spices
Contains: sesame, soybean, peanut