This type of mushroom is typically long and thin with tiny caps on one end. These are most commonly used in Asian cuisine and more modern usage across all of Asia includes using Enoki mushroom in salads and stir-fries. Enoki’s mild flavour lends itself to absorbing whatever other ingredients are used along with it. Enoki mushroom are sold fresh and bottled. When purchasing Enoki mushroom fresh, it’s important to look for a clean texture and firm caps. Scroll on for other must-have ingredients to cook Asian food at home…

The nouveau Asian pantry isn’t just a combination of soy sauce and vinegar. It’s much more than that. And we understand that you might not want to leave your home for a good stir-fry in the monsoon. So, we have brought you’ll the must-have ingredients to make yourself the perfect Asian dish at home! First off, Otoro and Chutoro fish are lean and have a burst of satisfying umami flavour. Turn it into a poke salad, or have as sashimi. For those not in the know, it’s the underbelly of tuna.

You’ll seldom associate butter with Asian cooking but stir in some nutty, non-dairy fat to pan-fry tofu, chicken and Greek halloumi and later add these to your Asian salads. If you do it, do it right!

This sauce is one that doesn’t reek of artificial sweetness but has a pleasant hint of caramel that goes best with chicken, greens and tofu. It’s a good departure from salty soy sauces.

If you’ve been making dim sum wrappers with refined flour all this while, you are probably making momos instead of delicate dim sums. Dough made from lotus root starch is clearer and whiter. You can also use it to make wonton wrappers.

Steel-cut and toasted oats help add body to your gravies and Asian sauces. Toasting brings out a unique sweetness in the oats and will add a natural flavour to your dish.

Replace Indian greens with authentic Japenese greens. Yes, they grow in India as well and will make your cooking healthy and authentic Asian cooking. You could even use this instead of rice paper to wrap meats.

The Asian pear is juicy and has a sour tang to it. While it would be ideal to poach chopped pieces of pear in sugar syrup and use it as dessert, you can also use this fruit to make a salad.
Now you’re all set! Go on, get cooking…