Kimchi, mochi, Thai curry pastes, and crispy papadams – it's easy to get lost in the unfamiliar names of Asian foods. Discover seven delicacies and ingredients from different Asian cuisines and find out how you can use them.
7 Asian delicacies worth trying
Don't know what to choose between colorful packaging and unfamiliar names? We'll introduce you to seven sweet and savory specialties from various Asian cuisines and give you advice on how to use them.
A visit to an Asian grocery store can feel like a mini-journey through different countries. Alongside Korean kimchi, you'll find Japanese mochi, Thai curry paste, Indian papadams and ingredients for Vietnamese rolls. Each product has its own taste, origin and use.
We've selected seven delicacies and ingredients that you can easily become familiar with even if you're just starting out with Asian cuisine.
What is worth trying?
From fermented vegetables to delicate rice cakes to crunchy snacks.
Korean kimchi
Kimchi is a traditional Korean fermented vegetable side dish. The most famous version is made from Chinese cabbage, but there are also varieties made from radish, cucumber, and other vegetables. The typical strong flavor is created by a combination of chili, garlic, ginger, and other ingredients according to the specific recipe.
It is mainly served as a side dish with rice and main dishes, but you can also add it to fried rice, noodles, kimchi jjigae soup, or savory pancakes. The taste of each type varies in spiciness, acidity, and degree of fermentation.
Sliced Napa Cabbage Vegan Kimchi JONGGA 300g
Mat Kimchi Cut JONGGA 1000 g
Mat Kimchi BIBIGO 500g
Kimchi pickled cabbage MAT KIMCHI JONGGA 750g
Japanese mochi
Mochi are traditional Japanese rice cakes characterized by their soft, springy, and chewy consistency. Traditionally, they are made from mochigome, a sticky rice that is cooked and then processed into a cohesive mass. Nowadays, products made from rice flour are also available.
Mochi is especially popular during the New Year holidays in Japan, but it is eaten all year round. Daifuku, a sweet filled cake, can be filled with red bean paste, sesame, peanuts, fruit fillings, matcha or ice cream. Matcha does not mean that it is a savory version - it is also commonly used in sweet desserts.
BUONO Mochi Ice Green Tea – frozen mochi green tea 156 g
Japanese Mochi Mix BAMBOO HOUSE 450g
Japanese Mochi cake with red bean Q Brand 210g
Double-filled mochi with lychee and milk flavor BAMBOO HOUSE 90 g
Thai curry pastes
Curry paste is a concentrated aromatic base that makes it easy to prepare Thai curry dishes. Depending on the type, it may contain chili, lemongrass, galangal, garlic, shallots, coriander root, makrut lime leaves, spices, or shrimp paste.
The most well-known are red, green and yellow curry pastes. They differ in the ingredients used and the flavor profile. However, the color alone does not determine the exact level of heat – it depends on the recipe and the brand. Therefore, it is always worth starting with a smaller amount.
Red Curry paste LOBO 50g
Yellow curry paste COCK BRAND 400g
Green curry paste LOBO 400 g
GOLDEN CURRY Medium hot curry paste S&B 92g
Indian papadams
Papadams, also known as papad or poppadom, are very thin flatbreads that are sold dried and cooked before serving. They are often made from legume flour, such as urad, but the exact composition varies by region and manufacturer.
They can be eaten plain or seasoned with black pepper, cumin, chili, or other spices. They are served as a crunchy part of a meal, a small snack, or with various sauces and side dishes, such as mango chutney or raita.
Pappadum garlic PATAKS 100g
Pappadums natural PATAKS 100g
Vietnamese rice paper
Rice paper, or bánh tráng in Vietnamese, is used to prepare several Vietnamese dishes. In Slovak households, it is best known for its fresh rolls, gỏi cuốn, which are filled with noodles, vegetables, herbs, shrimp, meat or tofu.
Dry paper is strong and brittle. After a short period of wetting, it softens and becomes pliable. It does not need to be soaked or stretched for a long time - it softens further during filling. Paper that is too wet can become sticky or tear more easily.
Rice paper for fresh spring rolls TUFOCO 400g
Rice paper for fresh spring rolls Square TUFOCO 400 g
Rice paper for fried spring rolls (1/4) TUFOCO 400g
Rice paper for fried spring rolls TOTACO 250g
Black mushrooms
Various related species of the genus Auricularia are sold under the name black fungus or Judas ear. They are popular in Chinese cuisine, especially for their springy to crunchy texture and ability to blend well with the flavors of sauces and broths.
Dried mushrooms expand significantly when soaked. They are great in soups, stews, stir-fries, salads, and vegetable stir-fries. They have a relatively mild flavor on their own, so their texture is the highlight of the dish.
Wood Ears, dried black fungus SAVIVA 100 g
Dried black/white mushrooms - Wood ears MOUNTAINS 100g
Wood Ears, dried black fungus SAVIVA 1kg
Dried Black fungus MOUTAINS 50g
Banana chips
Banana chips are a crunchy snack made from thinly sliced bananas or plantains. They come in sweet, savory, and spicy varieties. The specific flavor and consistency depend on the variety used, the ripeness of the fruit, and the processing method.
They are popular in several parts of Asia and other tropical countries. The Philippines also has a significant tradition of production and export, but they cannot be considered an exclusively Filipino delicacy. Some products are fried and may contain added sugar, salt, or flavorings.
Dried banana chips with sugar THAI DANCER 150g
Dried banana chips with sesame THAI DANCER 150g
Spicy plantain (banana) chips AFROASE 80g
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