Chinese Pantry

Some must-have Chinese pantry staples include:

• Soy sauce: A key ingredient used in stir-fries, marinades, and dipping sauces.
• Hoisin sauce: A sweet and savoury sauce perfect for glazing meats and serving with duck pancakes.
• Chilli oil: A spicy oil infused with chillies, used to add heat to noodles, dumplings, and stir-fries.
• Black bean paste: A savoury, fermented paste used in classic Chinese dishes like black bean chicken or stir-fried vegetables.
• Rice vinegar: A tangy vinegar often used in sauces and marinades.

Chinese pantry ingredients are versatile and can be used in many ways:

• Soy sauce: Add to stir-fries, marinades, and as a base for dipping sauces.
• Hoisin sauce: Use as a glaze for meats or in wraps like duck pancakes.
• Chilli oil: Drizzle over noodles, dumplings, or use to add heat to stir-fries.
• Black bean paste: Stir into sauces or use as a base for stir-fried meats and vegetables.
• Rice vinegar: Add to sauces, marinades, or use in pickling.

Many Chinese pantry staples, such as soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and chilli oil, are suitable for vegetarians and vegans. However, some sauces or pastes may contain animal products like oyster sauce or shrimp paste, so be sure to check the labels for dietary suitability.

Most Chinese pantry items, like soy sauce and rice vinegar, should be stored in a cool, dry place. Once opened, ingredients like hoisin sauce and black bean paste should be refrigerated to maintain freshness.

Absolutely! With pantry staples like soy sauce, hoisin, chilli oil, and black bean paste, you can easily create authentic Chinese dishes such as stir-fries, noodles, and marinades. Pair them with fresh ingredients to bring the flavours of China to your kitchen.