For people that love hot sauce, you’re most likely familiar with Sriracha, the ubiquitous chili sauce that has found its way into countless kitchens and dining tables.
However, there’s a new player in town that’s worth exploring – Chin Su.
While Sriracha’s entire flavor profile is Thailand based, Chin Su brings a taste of Vietnam to your plate.
Both sauces offer unique flavors that can enhance a variety of dishes.
In this article, we will delve deeper into the world of hot sauces by comparing Chin Su and Sriracha on various factors such as their origins, contents, taste, spiciness, cost-effectiveness and more.
What Is It, Who Founded It, and Where Is the Headquarters Based: Chin Su vs Sriracha
Chin Su is a Vietnamese hot sauce brand produced by Masan Industrial One Member Company Limited.
The company was founded in Vietnam and its headquarters is located in Lot 06 Tan Dong Hiep A Industrial Park, Di An City, Binh Duong Province, Vietnam.
Chin Su prides itself on producing hot sauces that truly reflect the vibrant flavors of Vietnamese cuisine.
On the other side of this spicy comparison stands Sriracha. This widely recognized sauce originates from Thailand and was first created by David Tran, a Vietnamese refugee who founded his company, Huy Fong Foods in Los Angeles, California, USA in 1980.
The name ‘Sriracha’ is derived from Si Racha, a district in central Thailand. Despite its Thai origins, Sriracha’s specific recipe created by Tran has catered to the Western palate which has contributed greatly to its global fame.
In summary, while both sauces share their roots in Southeast Asia, they come from two different countries and have been popularized by different companies – Chin Su from Vietnam’s Masan Industrial One Member Company Limited and Sriracha from America’s Huy Fong Foods.
What Does It Contain: Chin Su vs Sriracha
Chin Su is known for producing hot sauces that capture the authentic flavors of Vietnamese cuisine.
Their original hot sauce is primarily made from “Chỉ Thiên” hot chili peppers, salt, and garlic along with artificial flavorings and colorings.
The key to their sauce is in their process – ripe chili peppers are hand-picked in the early morning and carefully fermented with fresh garlic, salt, and pepper to create each bottle of CHIN-SU hot chili sauce.
On the other hand, Sriracha from Huy Fong Foods has a slightly different ingredient profile.
This sauce is composed of chili, sugar, salt, garlic, distilled vinegar, potassium sorbate, sodium bisulfite as preservatives, and xanthan gum.
An important fact to note here is that Huy Fong’s Sriracha uses sugar that’s refined with bone char – a substance made by burning animal bones which could be a concern for vegans or vegetarians.
To sum up, both sauces utilize chilies as the main ingredient but differ in their composition. While Chin Su incorporates artificial flavorings in their recipe along with a meticulous fermentation process using fresh ingredients directly sourced from farms; Sriracha opts for additives like preservatives and xanthan gum for consistency along with bone char-refined sugar.
How Many Varieties Of Products Does Chin Su Offer?
Chin Su offers a variety of hot sauces to cater to different tastes and preferences. Currently, they have four main types of hot sauces available:
- Chin Su Original Vietnamese Hot Sauce: This is the brand’s signature product, with a balance of spicy, salty, sour, and sweet flavors that pairs well with various dishes.
- Pho Hot Sauce: Specifically designed to complement the traditional Vietnamese noodle soup, Pho, this sauce adds a spicy kick that enhances the rich flavors of the soup.
- CHI Thien Sauce: Made from the Chi Thien chili, this sauce has a unique taste and heat level that sets it apart from their other products.
- Truffle Hot Sauce: A gourmet addition to the lineup, this truffle-infused hot sauce elevates any dish with its luxurious and earthy flavor profile.
The diversity in Chin Su’s product offerings allows customers to choose from not just varying levels of heat intensity but also unique flavors such as truffle – demonstrating their commitment to cater to a wide range of consumer preferences.
Which Tastes Better: Chin Su vs Sriracha
Taste is subjective and largely depends on individual preferences. That being said, both Chin Su and Sriracha have their unique flavor profiles that cater to different palates.
Chin Su’s hot sauce offers a harmony of flavors – spicy, salty, sour, and sweet.
It amplifies the taste of any dish, whether it’s used as a dip for fries or chicken nuggets, spread on a sandwich or pizza for breakfast, or mixed with vegetables, meat, and seafood. This versatility makes it an excellent addition to a variety of meals.
Sriracha by Huy Fong Foods is renowned for its balanced combination of heat from red jalapenos, sweetness from sugar, acidity from vinegar, and a hint of garlic. Its consistency allows it to blend smoothly into soups and sauces but also works well as a topping on pizzas or burgers.
In the end, selecting the “better-tasting” sauce depends entirely upon personal preference.
If you prefer a balance of sweet and spicy with an added sour note prevalent in Vietnamese cuisine – Chin Su might be your pick.
But if you’re after a garlic-y flavor with milder spice levels in line with Thai cuisine – Sriracha could be your favored sauce. The best way to decide would ultimately be to try both sauces yourself!
Which Is Spicier: Chin Su vs Sriracha
The spiciness of a hot sauce is often one of the most important factors for those who enjoy adding a fiery touch to their meals. Both Chin Su and Sriracha bring heat, but how do they compare?
Chin Su, made with “Chỉ Thiên” chili, has been described as having a moderate level of spiciness. This means it packs enough punch for heat-seekers without being overwhelmingly spicy. Therefore, it can cater to a broad range of palettes.
On the other hand, Sriracha’s heat level may vary by brand, but in general—in comparison to Chin Su—it tends to be a bit milder. The Huy Fong brand of Sriracha—which is arguably the most popular—is noted for its balanced flavor profile that combines sweetness, vinegar tanginess, garlic notes, and chili heat in harmony. This makes it spicy enough to satisfy those who enjoy some heat but mild enough not to deter those who prefer less spice.
What Are The Different Size Options: Chin Su vs Sriracha
When it comes to size, variety is always appreciated as it allows consumers to choose based on their consumption habits.
Chin Su hot sauce is available in two main sizes – 8.8 ounces (about 250 grams) and 17.65 ounces (about 500 grams). This gives consumers the option to choose a smaller bottle for occasional use or a larger one for regular use, depending on their lifestyle and preferences.
Sriracha by Huy Fong Foods is sold in a variety of sizes, ranging from small packets suitable for single-use to large 28-ounce (about 794 grams) bottles for heavy users or food service establishments. Their most popular size is the medium 17-ounce (about 482 grams) bottle which is ideal for typical household use.
Which Is More Cost Effective: Chin Su vs Sriracha
When comparing cost-effectiveness, it’s important to consider both the price and the quality of the product you’re getting.
Chin Su offers their 8.8-ounce bottle for $2.49 and their larger 17.65-ounce bottle for $3.49. Given the quality of their ingredients and the meticulous process behind creating their sauce, Chin Su provides good value for money.
On the other hand, Sriracha by Huy Fong Foods is priced higher and can range anywhere from approximately $3 for a 9-ounce bottle to around $5 for a 28-ounce bottle depending on where you shop. Considering its universal popularity and unique flavor profile, many believe this sauce is worth the extra cost.
While Sriracha may be slightly more expensive, remember that value isn’t just about price but also about taste and overall satisfaction. If you prefer the taste of one sauce significantly over the other, it might be worth spending a little more on your preferred choice. Ultimately, which hot sauce is more cost-effective will depend on your personal preference in taste and how much you’re willing to spend.
Is It Gluten Free, Halal, Vegan and Whole 30: Chin Su vs Sriracha
For those with dietary restrictions or preferences, it’s important to know whether these hot sauces meet your needs.
Chin Su hot sauce is Non-GMO and vegetarian. It is also gluten-free, making it a suitable choice for those with a gluten intolerance or celiac disease. However, information about it being Halal, Vegan or compliant with the Whole30 diet is not readily available.
Sriracha from Huy Fong Foods does not contain any gluten ingredients and could be considered Halal.
However, it’s worth noting that they use sugar that’s refined with bone char in their Sriracha sauce. Bone char is made by burning animal bones and is used to filter and whiten sugar.
Even though this does not directly contain animal products, the sugar refining process may be considered non-vegan or non-vegetarian by some.
