Spice Up Your Life: Keep the Revelry Going With Oishi's Hot and Spicy Snacks

People of the world! Every boy and every girl: In the lead up to our second annual Hot & Spicy Festival on Apr 20-21, we’re Spicing Up Our Lives with a few of the vendors to see what searing treats they'll be doling out at this weekend's event. This time: Maggie Qi from one of our favorite snack brands Oishi, who produce over 100 varieties of snacks and confectionery products.

Originally founded in the Philippines in 1946, Oishi has grown to become one of Asia's biggest, and most beloved snack food companies. These days, their brightly colored packets of crackers and crisps are so ubiquitous in China that they are often mistaken for being a local company. Oishi will bring some of their newest and most popular snacks to this year’s Hot & Spicy Festival, as well as host some fun games with the chance of winning surprise snack packs.

Below, brand representative Maggie Qi tells us more about their products, and her tips about making spicy food great based on her direct experience as a true lover of spicy food.

What spicy food will you bring to our Hot & Spicy Festival?
Some of our most beloved snacks: the Kraken extra hot wavy potato chips, sweet and spicy flavored Japanese crackers, and hot and spicy flavored prawn crackers.

What kind of beverage on your menu goes best with spicy food?
Plum juice.

Did you attend last year’s Hot & Spicy Festival? 
It’s actually the first time that Oishi has attended the Hot & Spicy Festival, but we went to last year’s Burger Festival, and enjoyed the food and karaoke competition a lot. So much so, that we can't wait for this year's Hot & Spicy Festival!

What are you most looking forward to?
Spicy food, the great vibe the Beijinger events usually have, and getting to know new friends!

What is the hottest thing you have ever eaten? Would you recommend other people eat it?
Chongqing Dezhuang hot pot – it’s so good!

What do you think are the most important elements needed to make delicious spicy food?
Fresh ingredients. For spicy food, the origin of the cooking method for chilies plays a very significant role. Also, uniqueness. There are various types of spices, and you need to be creative when matching them with food. Seasonings are the last – but not least – crucial factor.

Which country in the world do you think is the best for spicy food and why?
China, and Sichuan is the spice capital of China thanks to its incredible spices that are both refreshing and numbing.

Do you have any tips for eating spicy peppers that may be useful for our festival's pepper eating competition?
Have ice water ready. And try swallowing the peppers without too much chewing!

Missed Saturday's Hot & Spicy Festival? No worries, there's still Sunday!

Photos courtesy of Oishi