Introducing The Pantry

A new column for discovering Asian cuisine's staple and common ingredients.

What’s in The Pantry?

Hello, readers and Ramen lovers!

I hear you and have received many comments about people struggling with getting started around Ramen and Asian-inspired cuisine. Most of the feedback I got was related to the hassle of dealing with new ingredients.

It is no news that when we are completely new to an ingredient, often because our country's food culture does not include it, we are a bit lost and reluctant about how to use it. Sometimes, even have trouble finding and choosing the right one.

Years ago, when I started making Ramen, I wish I had the same resources I now have.

This is why I will start a new column in the newsletter about Asian staple food and common ingredients.

Staple Food

Even the simpler of the ingredients can become a hassle. I can tell you I spent hours even just searching for a good soy sauce back then.

Also, I was spending double what I am doing now. While for other somehow unobtainable items? I am still looking for some of them.

Many of you told me that it is hard to find some basic Asian ingredients.

This is sometimes true, while most of the time it is just a matter of looking in the right direction. Apart from online stores, local Asian markets are spreading in major and minor cities now. However, they remain a controlled hidden niche.

Start looking for “Asian Shop” on Google Maps in your area. If you live in a little town, you might have to look for it in the nearest “big” city, but I assure you I have seen many valuable shops in minor cities as well. Don’t be surprised if you find a “ghost” shop with missing reviews and pictures. Sometimes, little gems are hidden behind that front page.

Also, look for “Asian food” in your language on Google. It will most probably show a top pick of countless diverse shops shipping locally in your country. If this doesn’t apply to you for any reason, there are still some international shops, and some producers even accept private orders at a reasonable cost. I will cover this more in upcoming dedicated posts.

I will also help you find ingredients with specific suggestions when I have any.

What to expect

Each unique post will be about a single ingredient or product.

I will have you covered on its description, history, and usage.

Take Mirin, as an example. We’ll see how to find it, the different kinds that exist, how to recognize and how to choose them. I will describe the ingredients’ taste and how to use them, and bring some examples or companion ingredients.

Every post will also go over the origin of the ingredient and its diffusion, as well as how it is produced with both traditional and modern methods.

What should The Pantry include?

Now it’s your turn.

What should be the first ingredient in Your Pantry?

And let me know down here in the comments which other ingredient (or ingredients) you would like to learn more about!

— The Ramen Bowl - ◡ -

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