CMK — Chili Monkey King Lemongrass Chili Oil (Heaven's Scorch)

This bottle will go a very long way for us. We’ll enjoy it — and be tortured by it at the same time.

CMK stands for Chili Monkey King — named for the hero of Journey to the West, the Chinese folktale about a monkey born from a rock (also, fun fact, the inspiration for Dragon Ball). This Vietnamese lemongrass chili oil, subtitled Heaven’s Scorch, was sent to us by VN Pho & Deli, a Vietnamese restaurant in Nashville. The bottle is huge.

The ingredients that matter

The label promises “a perfect balance of heat and aroma, offering a taste of heaven.” Then you read the ingredients and find Carolina Reaper powder. Both statements are true.

The taste test

The oil is clearer and lighter-looking than most, with a roasted scent. Then: oh, spicy. This might be the spice winner since the Zindrew X Batch. Eaten on its own (for science), there’s real savory depth, crisp, and smokiness underneath — the lemongrass is there but gets a little drowned out by the sheer heat.

Verdict

A tier — for the adventurous. This is spice-challenge-level hot, and it would genuinely be versatile if you can handle it. We use a tiny bit at a time, which means this enormous bottle is now a permanent resident.

If you’re in Nashville, go see the folks at VN Pho & Deli. Order pho. Ask about the monkey.