I live in the US. I bought the black bean laoganma at my local Asian mart once on accident and fell in love with it, so much more savory and umami than regular old chili oil.
Unfortunately, the stuff has never been in stock every other time I've went there (I live in a college town, so laoganma is popular stuff). I thought about buying some online but I was kinda shocked to see how much more expensive it was. In-person at the shop, all laoganma variants were the same price. What's the deal?
by larevacholerie
10 Comments
When was the last time you bought it in-store, and what has changed since then? I’m guessing therein lies the rub.
Looks like maybe they changed it to black soybean? This could be an older product.
Check somewhere like world market if you have one or a specialty Asian online marketplace:
https://www.sayweee.com/en/product/Chili-Oil-with-Black-Soybean-in-Jar-280g/2158553
A bunch of times, the prices on Amazon and even other grocery sites are inflated and there is no reason for it.
Have you found it 4x the price in other places?
Low demand, few suppliers, so the only supplier is arbitraging and jacking up the price.
Normal price over Here. Check other sources
I’ve stocked up, as this will be tariffed. At the local Chinese grocer, $6.99 for big 26.1 oz jars.
The regular is sold by Amazon, and the Black Bean is from a third party seller.
Price should be the same . In europe for example from the shop it sells for 3€ max 3.50€.It’s just sellers taking advantage that they are probably the only one selling that in that moment. Hoping that people who really crave it will buy it anyway. It doesn’t work with me , especially when difference is so high
New to Amazon?
*whispers*
The one without black bean is better….
<smokebomb>