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:
FRESH ITEMS:
- Peeled Garlic
- Shallots
- kaffir lime leaves
- 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 Kaffir Lime leaves (or sub fresh, and freeze the extras)
- Frozen galanga root- again, so handy!!!
- Dumplings and Wontons
- Frozen whole fish
CONDIMENTS and Sauces :
- Coconut milk
- Toasted Sesame oil
- Soy sauce
- Extra dark soy sauce
- Thai Curry Paste ( red, green, yellow)
- Korean Chili paste ( or flakes)
- Sambal Olek or Garlic Chili Paste
- Sriracha Sauce
- Mirin wine
- Chinese Cooking wine
- 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
If you live in Spokane, Washington, please take a look at Simply Suwanee’s post on where to buy Thai ingredients!
Print 
What to buy at an Asian Market!
What to buy at an Asian Market! A simple list to help you build your Asian pantry. PRINT and Take this list with you when you go!
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Category: Asian market
- Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients
FRESH ITEMS:
- Peeled Garlic
- Shallots
- Kaffir lime leaves
- 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 Kaffir 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
- Thai Curry Paste ( red, green, yellow)
- Korean Chili paste ( or flakes)
- Sambal Olek or Garlic Chili Paste
- Sriracha Sauce
- Mirin wine
- Chinese Cooking wine
- 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)
Instructions
Print the list and take it with you! Highlight any favorites for next time!
****Please mention in the comments below if I’ve forgotten anything and I will update. Thanks!!!!
Keywords: what to buy at an asian market, asian market ingredients, favorite farmers market ingredients
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Hey! This is a great list. A few notes:
Kombu IS kelp so kombu can be its own line item, and removed from the seaweed section. And saying kombu and kelp is redundant, one will do 🙂 Also, that entire list is repeated twice in a row.
Kafir is actually a demeaning racial slur to the people it refers to. It’s in this article at least twice (one time it’s spelled like kefir the drink). I’m sure you didn’t know, but please consider replacing it with Makrut which is not a racial slur.
Great list! It made me realize I’m on the right track and gave me a few ideas to pick up!
★★★★★
Chinese rose wine, Sichuan peppercorns sliced Korean rice cake, frozen raw duck & fish cake, abalone/abalone sauce bottled or canned and Laoganma’s Spicy Chili Crisp! So good!!!
Love this list- thanks! I like to buy peanuts there too!
★★★★★
Freezer section- pork dumplings. Makes for great quick dinner, pan steam-fried and served with sauce made of soy, sesame oil, rice vinegar, cilantro and garlic chili oil. My teenaged boys ask for this often.
Brown bean garlic sauce & peanuts
★★★★
Love this list- one thing I always am looking for that you might add is the brand names you choose for your sauces- ie fish sauce, oyster sauce etc. I look for these and never know which one to choose-
Thanks!
That is a great idea- I will start doing that…