It's been a few weeks since the sriracha shortage was announced, and things are looking bleak. Sriracha producer Huy Fong Foods Inc. said that weather conditions have affected the quality of chili peppers, leading to low supply. The shortage has caused a bit of a foodie panic with some people reportedly hoarding bottles of sriracha and other spicy condiments.
But one Los Angeles restaurant is getting clever. In order to fulfill its needs for sriracha, Bé Ù, a Vietnamese eatery located in Los Angeles, is bartering with its customers. Customers willing to trade a 28-ounce bottle of sriracha (unopened, of course) can receive either a banh mi, popcorn chicken, or an order of summer rolls. Bé Ù, who posted the deal on Instagram, said that they go through well over 300 bottles of sriracha a year. They are also offering discounts in exchange for 17-ounce bottles.
"Hello Los Angeles Community!! We need Sriracha (Huy Fong Foods Brands ONLY). Of all the supply chain issues in the world, this one feels personal lol. We will give you a free banh mi, popcorn chicken, or order of summer rolls if you bring us a 28oz bottle of sriracha. Half off for the 17ouncers!! We go through about 312 bottles a year so any little bit helps," the Instagram post read.
Huy Fong Foods Inc.'s press release stated that all orders submitted on or after April 19 of this year will be fulfilled after Labor Day, so hopefully we won't be in sriracha limbo for too much longer. Hopefully...
