Five off-the-wall hot sauces to try at Hot Box

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Forget your usual flames. Head to Hot Box hot sauce emporium and try these unique concoctions instead.

Purple Shisho Hot Sauce (20RMB)

Definitely the strangest we sampled, but that’s not at all a bad thing. With modest heat and a herbal burst that comes from the Japanese shiso leaf, this one by La Mei Zi has got a flavour you’ve likely never tasted in a chilli sauce. A must-try.

Green Sriracha Sauce (35RMB)

Noticeably less punchy than the garlicky, tangy original that we all know and love, but give it a go nonetheless. Slightly spicy with a vinegary kick, it’s definitely a worthy try for devout Sriracha fans.

That Mystery Sauce (35RMB)

This one’s all about the sauce – no name, no branding, no label and made only in limited batches when the crafter feels like it. It’s a thin sauce (think Tabasco consistency) with a fiery punch, where a traditional vinegar base is swapped for baijiu. Scan the QR code on the bottle for a surprise.

'Diablo' Fresh Chilli (15RMB)

If you’re a frequent user of Chinese delivery apps like Meituan, you’ve likely seen this sauce by the brand Ying Chao on offer from dumpling shops, which is exactly how the Hot Box team discovered it. Made from fresh ground chillies, it’s good stuff. Plus, the devil’s literally in the name – it’s pretty effin’ hot. A great alternative to Chinese chilli sauces made with dry flakes.

Yak Meat Chilli Sauce (40RMB)

Made by the brand Chuan Lai Shu Wang in Chengdu – a place which, like Tibet, is known for its yak meat. This sauce is not particularly hot, but it’s one of our favourites on offer. It’s packed with fabulous flavours that come from a stellar combo of dried chillies, spicy oil and strips of dried (but tender) yak meat.

Store details

Hot Box

Hot sauce specialty store in Jingan

Lane 273 Jiaozhou Lu