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What to buy at the Asian market! Here is a simple PRINTABLE list, to help you build your Asian pantry, organized by sections! Simple and easy- just print the list out and take it with you!

Food is the ingredient that binds us together. – Unknown

So many of you have asked for this and I’m sorry it has been so long in coming, but here it is, finally! A list of my favorite “go-to” ingredients to buy at an Asian market. I always take this list with me when I go – that way I don’t forget because it’s very easy to get distracted there!

Of course, you probably won’t need ALL of these items (we used these in our catering business) but if you were interested in establishing an Asian pantry at home, some of these are quite useful! Also, if pressed for time, you can find many of these on-line. But If you wish to create an “event” out of it, it’s such a fun thing to do with your family, or friends. I especially love going in the colder months, when our farmer’s markets slow down.

A FEW TIPS: Every Asian Store is different. Visit several to find your favorites. Here, where I live there are several! There is one that is more Korean focused- offering up Koren Style Sushi, always a treat. There is one that has a huge selection of Indian and Middle Eastern ingredients- so handy!

Always ask what day their produce comes in. I love going on these days or the very next day because there is so much more selection!

Get to know the owners/employees- they are a wealth of information! If they are not slammed, they love to share how they use ingredients or how to cook something. I have learned so much from people who work there and surprisingly just from people in line! For example, if I see something in someone else’s basket that I’m not familiar with, I simply ask, what is this? or how do you use this?

Most often people, love to share. I have made some of the most amazing connections with strangers simply waiting in line. It really makes the whole experience more enriching and meaningful. It is really amazing to me how cooking connects us.

Why shop at an Asian market?

Asian markets offer up specialty ingredients not usually found in mainstream grocery stores.
It’s often less expensive than a regular grocery store!
Exposure to different produce, herbs, spices and ingredients inspires creativity in the kitchen!
It’s so much fun!
It’s community building.
It’s mind-opening.

What to buy at an Asian Market:

Name: What to buy at an Asian Market!
Prep time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: Peeled Garlic; Shallots; kafir limes; Ginger Root; Galangal Root; Fresh Turmeric Root; Fresh mushrooms- try a different kind!; Fresh herbs- Thai basil, cilantro, chives, and mint!; Seasonal and unusual vegetables, fruit, fresh chilies and sprouts (daikon or bean); Fresh rice noodles or ramen noodles in the refrigerated section; Wonton wrappers; Fresh Tofu ( or spicy fried); Pickled Things - Korean "pickles"; Seaweed Noodles ( like Sea Tangle); Seaweed Salad; Miso paste - try white miso!; Quail Eggs; Frozen chopped lemongrass- so handy!; Frozen Kefir Lime leaves (or sub fresh, and freeze extras); Frozen galanga root; Dumplings and Wontons; Frozen whole fish; Coconut milk; Toasted Sesame oil; Soy sauce; Extra dark soy sauce; Thai Curry Paste ( red, green, yellow); Chinese Cooking wine; Tamarind paste or concentrate; Fermented Black beans

FRESH ITEMS:

Peeled Garlic
Shallots
kafir limes
Ginger Root
Galangal Root
Fresh Turmeric Root
Fresh mushrooms- try a different kind!
Fresh herbs- Thai basil, cilantro, chives, and mint!
Seasonal and unusual vegetables, fruit, fresh chilies and sprouts (daikon or bean)
Fresh rice noodles or ramen noodles in the refrigerated section
Wonton wrappers
Fresh Tofu ( or spicy fried)
Pickled Things – Korean “pickles”
Seaweed Noodles ( like Sea Tangle)
Seaweed Salad
Miso paste – try white miso!
Quail Eggs

FROZEN SECTION: ( Tip: I always have these on hand in my freezer)

Frozen chopped lemongrass- so handy!
Frozen Kefir Lime leaves (or sub fresh, and freeze extras)
Frozen galanga root
Dumplings and Wontons
Frozen whole fish

CONDIMENTS:

Coconut milk
Toasted Sesame oil
Soy sauce
Extra dark soy sauce
Rice Vinegar
Thai Curry Paste ( red, green, yellow)
Korean Chili paste ( or flakes)
Sambal Olek or Garlic Chili Paste
Sriracha Sauce
Black vinegar
Mirin wine
Chinese Cooking wine
Oyster Sauce
Fish Sauce
Tamarind paste or concentrate
Shrimp paste, or dried shrimp
Fermented Black beans
Black bean or brown bean Sauce
Peanut Oil (or wok oil)
Chili Oil

SPICES, CHILIES, SEEDS:

Black sesame seeds
Toasted Sesame seeds
Whole or ground spices
Dried Chile Threads
Dried Whole red Chilies for wok stir fry
Fried shallots or fried garlic
Hondashi (for miso soup)
Togarashi Spice Blend

MISC STAPLES:

Rice (sushi, jasmine, basmati, forbidden black)
Dried Seaweed- kombu, wakame, hijiki, kelp
Nori Sheets
Dry Beans- mung, black, chick peas, etc.
Spring roll wrappers
Dry Noodles
Japanese Green tea ( try it with brown rice -Genmaicha)
Rice (sushi, jasmine, basmati, forbidden black)
Dried Seaweed- kombu, wakame, hijiki, kelp
Nori Sheets
Dry Beans- mung, black, chickpeas, etc.
Spring roll wrappers
Dry Noodles
Japanese Green tea ( try it with brown rice -Genmaicha)

If I’ve forgotten anything, please mention it in the comments below and I will add it to the Printable List Below! Thanks!!!

xoxo

RELATED: Soul Warming THAI RECIPES

& How to Make Kimchi!

If you live in Spokane, Washington, please take a look at Simply Suwanee’s post on where to buy Thai ingredients!