The preparation of gyoza, these delicious Japanese dumplings, is an art that deserves our full attention. Today, we’ll dive into the heart of Japanese culinary tradition with a gyoza dough recipe that will delight even the most discerning. Whether used for chicken gyoza, beef gyoza, or even pork This is […]
Sauces and condiments
Mung Bean Paste
Mung bean paste – what is it? Picture an ingredient that slips as easily into a savory dish as it does into a sweet one – a true culinary double agent. That is exactly what mung bean paste is, a quiet star of Asian cooking (let’s shine the light on […]
What is palm sugar?
Sugar is an essential ingredient in cooking to add flavor and sweetness to many sweet and savory dishes. From white sugar to brown sugar, including powdered sugar, cane sugar, or raw sugar, there’s something for every taste. Among them, palm sugar takes the gold medal. Natural and exotic, it’s ultimately […]
What is wakame seaweed?
Wakame is among the most common edible seaweeds. Widely used across Asian cooking, it often appears in salads and soups, or served alongside seafood. While it’s also harvested wild in Australia, cultivation is centered in Japan and Korea. Most wakame you’ll find in stores likely comes from one of these […]
Bean sprouts: what are they?
What people generally call bean sprouts are actually young mung bean shoots—often mislabeled as “soy sprouts”—hence the common confusion. To grow them, mung beans are soaked and sprouted in water. Once germinated, the water is drained and the sprouts are kept in a cool, dark place to develop. What do […]
What are Shimeji mushrooms?
Shimeji mushrooms are a variety of Asian mushroom with a crunchy texture and a delicious nutty flavour. They are also known as beech mushrooms because in the wild they grow on fallen beech trees. They are widely used in Japanese cuisine What are Shimeji mushrooms? Shimeji mushrooms are an edible […]
Jujube: The Chinese date demystified
What is jujube? Jujube, also known as Chinese date, is a small brown or dark red fruit that grows on a tree called the jujube tree. The fruit has a smooth, shiny skin and contains a sweet, crisp flesh that can be eaten fresh or dried. It is grown in […]
Chinese Fermented Black Bean Sauce (辣豆豉酱)
This authentic black bean sauce is one of the best‑kept secrets behind some of the most delicious Chinese dishes on the planet! It works miracles for the flavor of your Chinese cooking ! If you already know Chinese black bean sauce, you know the wonders it does for your Asian dishes. […]
Homemade Japanese Curry Roux
Japanese curry, also known as Kare Raisu (カレーライス), is a quintessential comfort dish. It’s the go-to in many Japanese households thanks to how easy it is to make. The key to this ease is the curry roux (カレールー), essentially a bouillon-style block tailored to Japanese curry. These cube-style helpers are […]
Japanese Curry Powder
Curry was first introduced to Japan during the Meiji era (1868-1912) by the British navy, who brought with them the spice blend known as curry powder. This powder is the foundation for a good kare-ko. Japanese curry powder, called Aka Kan (赤缶), was first sold by S&B Foods in 1923, […]