Heres my Asian pantry staples!
6 core Asian sauces that cost ~$12 in total are used to make over 45 recipes.
Can you guess what they are?
Top 6 essential Asian sauces to make 45 different recipes
My closest proper Asian store is a 30 minute drive away.
So keeping my pantry stocked with Asian essentials requires some semblance of organisation.
So Asian pantry stocking is actually quite straightforward!
Top 6 essential Asian sauces to make 45 different recipes
Chinese cooking wine(Shaoxing wine)essential for excellent Asian food, up to 80% cheaper.
Double Pheonix is my go-to (~$2 for 640ml / 22 oz).
Sesame Oil(toasted) verify the label says puresesame oil.
Brands I use Lee Kum Kee (Chinese), Kikkoman (Japanese).
The above sauces are by far the most commonly used ingredients in myAsian recipes.
But Asian stores are a sure thing and cheaper!
People dont even realise its pasta!Shhh, keep this secret to yourself!
?Where are all the JAPANESE ingredients??
Theyre not on my essentials list because Japanese food is my mothers domain literally!
Heres her Japanese food website RecipeTin Japan the home of authentic Japanese recipes.
These are my next priority items, things that make me feel insecure if Im out or running low.
Chinese Chilli Paste Fuyun brand, my favourite!
Only at Asian stores.
Mirin the Japanese equivalent of Chinese cooking wine!
Even just 1 teaspoon adds complexity and depth of dressings and sauces.
Fish sauce Squid Brand (bright green lid)
Panko breadcrumbscheaper!
Crispy fried shallotsalmost half the price at Asian stores, any brand.
Chinese five spice any brand
Maesri brand curry pastesred, green and massaman.For Asian Curry fans.
Fresh and dried noodleseverything and anything!
), and I have never looked back.
Very, very long shelf life.
Larger bottles are cheaper at Asian stores.
Mirin
This is the Japanese equivalent ofChinese cooking wine.
With just a small amount, it can transform sauces fromhmm, its missing something…toYES!
!because as with all cooking alcohols, it adds complexity and depth to anything you add it to.
Here are recipes on my website that are specifically made using Mirin:
4.
I use the Squid Brand (bright green cap, you cant miss it at the shops!).
Panko breadcrumbs
30% 50% cheaper at Asian stores (the price at normal grocery stores can beoffensive!
Used for all these recipes mostly non Asian!!
Think of it like Asian pangritata it just makes everything better!
that is used in Chinese cooking.
Adds a hint of Asian exotic.
Used in all these recipes:
8.
Quite often itsChow Meinusing proper Chow Mein noodles.
These items are less frequently used but its irritating when I realise I dont have them.
Non Asian stores tend to carry sub par quality.
Use forKung Pao Chicken, spicy SichuanDan Dan Noodles(see Level 5 dish specific list).
Tamarind Puree* paste like sour condiment.
Primary use is forPad Thai, also used in small quantities inMassaman CurryandBeef Rendang Curry.
Dried Shiitake Mushrooms* packs a great punch of umami even in small quantities!
Theres a few things in particular that are FAR better quality and value:
Lemongrass cheaper!
Used in a load of South East Asian dishes Thai/Vietnamese:
Coriander/cilantro waaaay cheaper and perkier.
Use in all thingsMexican/ Tex Mex / South Western /South American/Thai/Vietnamese/Middle Eastern/Indian.
Garlic Chives a uniquely garlic flavoured chive that is used inGyoza.
Beansprouts Western grocery stores just dont know how to store beansprouts!
They are always floppier and stinkier than they should be.
At Asian stores, they smell incredibly fresh and they are SO crunchy!
Lasts a week).
Asian Mushrooms bountiful, good quality, great flavour (puts button mushrooms to shame) and excellent value.
Also a specific side recommendation for allKorean dishes, and the fridge-leftovers star ofKimchi Fried Rice!
Laksa
This iconic Malaysian coconut noodle soup has a BIG cult following all around the world.
DAN DAN Noodles (Spicy Sichuan Noodles)
I need spicy asian food!!!
And Dan Dan Noodles tops the list.
Momofuku Pork Bossam
This is a famous dish from David Changs Momofuku restaurant in NYC.
Momofuku charges US$250 for the privilege of eating it.
Who doesnt love little bundles of joy in any form steamed, pan fried, crispy fried??
Char Kway Teow
Ballsy!
was the response by one reader when I shared this recipe!
This really is a special dish, and most places outside of Asian-centric areas do it very poorly.
That is a LOT of good food right there!
I hope that gives you some semblance of help for your next Asian grocery store run.
Asian market shopping list what I buy at Asian grocery stores!
Here he is keeping me warm…or so you think.
(And I dont even know if Im referring to me or to him )
Rice vinegar brands. Mizkan is one brand I regularly buy, but every brand I’ve come across is fine (even Obento which is a “western” brand.
Most Asian salad dressings are made with rice vinegar as the acidic component.
Fish sauce at Asian market. I use the Squid Brand – bright green cap, can’t miss it!
Prevent screen from sleeping
