An Inside Look at Jing Gao’s Beloved Brand
Name: Jing Gao
Job Title: Founder and CEO of Fly By Jing Chengdu-inspired spices and sauces
There is no denying that sauces and spices can make or break a meal. Thanks to Fly By Jing, you can take at-home meals to the next level with the vibrant and vivacious flavors of Chengdu.
“Fly By Jing was inspired by the flavors of my hometown,” says founder Jing Gao. “Though I grew up living everywhere, I was born in Chengdu, and in my 20s, I went to China and was able to form a new connection with myself through flavor and food.” Despite the fact that a job in tech is what brought Jing back to China, a passion for Chengdu’s 5,000-year-old culinary heritage is what inspired her to stay. “I quit my tech job and decided to stay in China to open a restaurant that was inspired by the ‘fly’ or hole-in-the-wall restaurants that are so popular in Chengdu,” explains Jing. Eventually, Jing made her move to Los Angeles, and in 2018, she started the brand Fly By Jing.
The flavors and products are inspired by traditional Chengdu cuisine, but Jing put her own personal touch on each product, ensuring everything she makes is fully aligned with her own vision. “When starting your own business, it’s really important to know your ‘why’…There’s no denying that it is a tough journey, but as long as you remember why you started, you will be able to stick it out and keep going,” she says.
Though Fly By Jing is best known for its beloved Sichuan chili crisps, the brand has since expanded to include several other must-have pantry items. “Some of my ‘can’t live without’ items include the chili crisps (of course), the King Zhong sauce, which is sweet and spicy sauce, and our frozen dumplings.”
No matter which sauce or spice you try first, you’re sure to get hooked on Fly By Jing!
Local Insight:
Hot Pot at Home
Fly By Jing’s hot pot mix allows you to make your own hot pot at home for a special Chengdu-inspired night in.
Flock Like Flies
“Fly” restaurants in Chengdu get their name from the idea that people flock to them like flies, proving just how amazing they are.
Savory, Sweet and One-of-a-Kind
The flavors of Fly By Jing are unique, creating a middle ground for Sichuan people and those who are unfamiliar with the local cuisine and culture.
Allie Lebos graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2017 with a BA in Communication. While in school she was a staff writer at The Daily Nexus for nearly two years. Since graduating she has written for The Palisades Magazine, as well as Hidden Hills Magazine. Currently living in Santa Monica, Allie loves to indulge in good food, hot yoga, and daily walks along the beach; writing articles on travel, special events, as well as features on local businesses and individuals.
