2025 #50: Was it Worth the Hype?— Roasted Garlic Oil x Nara Smith 🛢️🧄

 

Product Review: Algae Cooking Club x Nara Smith Roasted Garlic Oil 🧄👩‍🍳

As soon as I saw the announcement video clip on TikTok from Nara Smith’s page, I knew I needed to get my hands on a bottle of this oil. I’ve been a huge fan of Nara for a while now — I’m completely smitten by the calm, elegant charm of her videos. There’s something so mesmerizing about the way she does everything from scratch, often dressed in luxury pieces, while maintaining such a serene and composed energy. The way she romanticizes the stay-at-home lifestyle feels like a breath of fresh air.

As a stay-at-home mom myself, I often find comfort in her content — especially on days when the responsibilities pile up and I’m feeling overwhelmed. Watching her reminds me to find small joys in daily routines, like cooking, even when life gets hectic. So when I found out she collaborated with Algae Cooking Club for a Roasted Garlic Oil, I didn’t even hesitate. I bought two bottles right away — one to try and one to keep as backup, in case it sold out.

If you’ve ever watched Nara Smith whip up bubble gum or sourdough from scratch while dressed in high fashion, you know she doesn’t do shortcuts. So when she finally released a pantry product—Nara’s Roasted Garlic Oil—in collaboration with Algae Cooking Club, it felt like a love letter to her fans and fellow foodies who crave flavor without fuss.

🌿 The Collaboration: From Scratch Meets Sustainability

Algae Cooking Club, a culinary brand known for its chef-grade algae oil, teamed up with Smith to create a limited-edition roasted garlic oil that’s as thoughtful as it is delicious. The oil is slow-steeped for hours, just like Nara does in her own kitchen, and comes in a frosted glass bottle with a hand-drawn label—a nod to her aesthetic and attention to detail.

What makes this oil stand out isn’t just the garlic—it’s the blend. 

It features:

 Culinary algae oil: buttery and light, yet rich enough to carry bold flavors
 Roasted garlic: deep, savory, and mellow
Yuzu extract: bright citrus notes that lift the profile
 Miso powder and scallions: umami depth and aromatic finish

When my order arrived, the first thing I noticed was the packaging. It was clean, minimalistic, and modern — very on-brand for both Algae Cooking Club and Nara’s aesthetic. I immediately opened the bottle to smell it. The aroma was surprisingly mild — a subtle blend of roasted garlic with just a hint of citrus. I initially expected a stronger, bolder garlic scent, but the delicate fragrance didn’t bother me; it actually smelled quite refined.

For my first test, I used it to cook pan-fried salmon. Unfortunately, I couldn’t really taste much of the roasted garlic flavor. It felt a bit underwhelming, especially since I was expecting that rich, savory punch that garlic oil usually delivers. I gave it another chance by using it for garlic noodles, hoping the flavor would come through when sautéed — but again, it lacked the depth I was looking for.

Curious if I was using it wrong, I even watched other reviews online to see how others incorporated it into their dishes. Some people drizzled it over salads or used it as a finishing oil instead of for cooking. Maybe that’s where this product shines best — as a subtle, aromatic accent rather than a flavor base.

✨ Final Thoughts

This collab isn’t just a product drop—it’s a moment. It brings Nara’s kitchen to yours, minus the prep work. It’s sustainable and stylish. 

So, is it worth the hype? As much as I don’t want to say this — especially as a fan of Nara — it’s not quite worth the hype for me. The bottle is undeniably aesthetic and would look beautiful on any kitchen counter, but flavor-wise, it didn’t live up to my expectations.

As an Asian home cook, I’ve tried plenty of oils that offer more depth and versatility — from infused garlic oils to good-quality extra virgin olive oils that enhance dishes effortlessly. I’ll probably stick with those for now. Still, I’m keeping an open mind. Maybe one day, I’ll come across a recipe that complements this oil perfectly and changes my opinion.