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Old 14-05-2014, 21:37
woot_whoo
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Hello all. I'm planning a visit to a large Chinese supermarket in a day or two. It's a place I haven't been before - but I've heard positive things. Any idea on things to look out for that one might not find elsewhere, especially in the regular supermarkets? I'm fairly adventurous and do enjoy trying out new recipes - provided they're not too complicated!
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Old 14-05-2014, 21:55
Barbra
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I would go for my favourite Chinese dishes and all not too complicated to prepare.

Cantonese Roast Duck, Crispy Pork Belly and Char Siu (red roast pork)

Dim Sum - various dumplings and spring rolls.
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Old 14-05-2014, 22:33
woot_whoo
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I would go for my favourite Chinese dishes and all not too complicated to prepare.

Cantonese Roast Duck, Crispy Pork Belly and Char Siu (red roast pork)

Dim Sum - various dumplings and spring rolls.
Cheers - I'll look up some recipes and see what spices and things look likely to be sold there.
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Old 15-05-2014, 11:02
phepia
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Their noodles (for chowmein) and such are great value for money, and can buy in bulk for less than half the price of supermarkets.
Their rice can be brought in huge sacks that last months, for great cheap prices.
Also their spices are quadruple the amount for the same in supermarkets.
Their fresh is very fresh, but some of it is slightly higher than supermarkets, but quality is fantastic.
I also find their soy sauce extremely cheap, but other sauces slightly higher priced than supermarkets.
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Old 15-05-2014, 12:14
WombatDeath
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I recently cooked a few sichuan/hunanese dishes which required hard-to-find ingredients. Stuff you might want to look out for:

Chilli bean paste
Dried "facing heaven" chillies
Fermented black beans
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Old 15-05-2014, 12:42
Kiko H Fan
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Choi Sum.
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Old 15-05-2014, 13:16
Pumping Iron
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Char Siu Pao is very tasty if you haven't tried it before. Also look out for fermented shrimp paste and kaya (coconut jam) and look out for durian fruit to try.
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Old 15-05-2014, 13:21
JulesF
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We always buy big bags of black peppercorns for our grinder. They are insanely cheap compared with the normal supermarkets.
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Old 15-05-2014, 13:26
Barbra
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Char Siu Pao is very tasty if you haven't tried it before. Also look out for fermented shrimp paste and kaya (coconut jam) and look out for durian fruit to try.
If you are in Chinatown London, the best char siu bao (bun) are found at Kowloon Bakery in Gerrard Street. They keep for more than a week in the fridge. I always buy at least 10 pieces a time. Just warm for a minute in the microwave, they are scrummy and moreish.
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Old 15-05-2014, 13:27
Barbra
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Five spice powder is another good buy in a Chinese supermarket.
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Old 15-05-2014, 13:31
Barbra
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Their noodles (for chowmein) and such are great value for money, and can buy in bulk for less than half the price of supermarkets.
Their rice can be brought in huge sacks that last months, for great cheap prices.
Also their spices are quadruple the amount for the same in supermarkets.
Their fresh is very fresh, but some of it is slightly higher than supermarkets, but quality is fantastic.
I also find their soy sauce extremely cheap, but other sauces slightly higher priced than supermarkets.
I am surprised that Tesco value long grain rice at 40p per kg taste nearly as good as premium quality Thai fragrance rice.
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Old 15-05-2014, 16:27
c4rv
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I am surprised that Tesco value long grain rice at 40p per kg taste nearly as good as premium quality Thai fragrance rice.
Tesco can beat indian cash and carry prices for rice and oil when their stuff is on offer.

Another item worth looking out for in Chinese supermarket is a decent woks and utensils.
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Old 15-05-2014, 16:31
Pumping Iron
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If you are in Chinatown London, the best char siu bao (bun) are found at Kowloon Bakery in Gerrard Street. They keep for more than a week in the fridge. I always buy at least 10 pieces a time. Just warm for a minute in the microwave, they are scrummy and moreish.
Nooooooo that's sacrilege! You must steam them
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Old 15-05-2014, 17:39
Barbra
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I agree that the traditional white skin char siu bao should be steamed. The flat honey glazed bbq pork bun that I am referring to will become soggy if steamed

http://biggestmenu.com/rdr/CA/Rowlan...-Siu-Bao-20471
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Old 15-05-2014, 17:51
degsyhufc
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Look out for jarred ingredients that are not often available in standard supermarkets.

Chilli bean paste
Sambal
Different types of soy sauce
Kim Chi
Chilli sauces
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Old 15-05-2014, 18:48
Victoria Sponge
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I love the Chinese supermarket, in fact i wrote about my experiences here not so long ago.

My last visit was a few weeks ago, and amongst all my other usual stuff (instant cup noodles in various flavours, bottled chilli sauce, soy sauce), I picked up some fab sachets of noodle sauce, made with a concoction of different things. I added it to my pork stir fry recently and it was very good.
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