Asian ingredient guide

Curious what doubanjiang is, or where to buy gochujang? Here's a plain-English guide to the Asian ingredients used in the MyPetitWok app — what they taste like, where to find them, and what to substitute when you can't.

A taste of our ingredient library — featured here are the ones used in our online recipes.

Yakitori sauce

Yakitori sauce

焼き鳥のタレ

Yakitori sauce is a specialized Japanese glaze specifically crafted to baste and complement charcoal-grilled skewers, most famously chick...

Teriyaki sauce

Teriyaki sauce

照り焼きのタレ

Teriyaki sauce is a classic Japanese condiment traditionally crafted from a simmered blend of soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar. This glo...

Dark Soy Sauce

Dark Soy Sauce

老抽 Soy Sauce (Dark)

Thick, sweet soy sauce used for colour and richness. Do not substitute with light soy sauce.

Light Soy Sauce

Light Soy Sauce

生抽 Soy Sauce (Light)

Thin, salty soy sauce used for seasoning. More flavourful than European soy sauce.

Hot and spicy pot seasoning

Hot and spicy pot seasoning

麻辣香锅调料

This is a hot and spicy pot seasoning, with a rich, fragrant, and numbing-spicy flavor. It is easy to use for stir-frying vegetables, tof...

Tanoshi Sauce Bibimbap (Piment et Sésame)

Tanoshi Sauce Bibimbap (Piment et Sésame)

韩国拌饭辣酱

This is a spicy Korean-style condiment specifically crafted to elevate bibimbap rice bowls with its bold combination of chili pepper and ...

Steamed Fish Soy Sauce

Steamed Fish Soy Sauce

蒸鱼豉油

This specialty soy sauce is specifically formulated to elevate Cantonese-style steamed fish dishes. Sweeter and milder than standard ligh...

Bean sprouts

Bean sprouts

豆芽

Bean sprouts are crisp, tender shoots germinated from beans—most commonly mung beans—that are packed with essential vitamins and antioxid...

Pho Vietnamese Beef Flavor Paste

Pho Vietnamese Beef Flavor Paste

越南河粉牛肉调味膏

This concentrated savory paste blends authentic Vietnamese spices and aromatics to easily recreate the rich, comforting depth of traditio...

Japanese curry

Japanese curry

日式咖喱

Japanese curry is a rich and comforting home-style dish, slow-cooked with curry roux blocks, tender meat and vegetables. Milder and thick...

thirteen-spice seasoning

thirteen-spice seasoning

十三香

Classic thirteen-spice seasoning, scientifically blended with thirteen carefully selected spices, rich aroma, and rich flavor layers

Chinese chili oil

Chinese chili oil

油泼辣子

Chili oil is used to make sauce, to enhance the aroma

Rice Noodles (Flat / Thin)

Rice Noodles (Flat / Thin)

เส้นหมี่ Rice Noodles

Made from rice flour — gluten-free. Soak in warm water before using (do not boil). Thin (vermicelli) for spring rolls; flat for Pad Thai.

Gochujang (Korean Chilli Paste)

Gochujang (Korean Chilli Paste)

고추장 Gochujang

Fermented Korean chilli paste with a deep, complex heat and slight sweetness. Essential in Korean cooking.

Want the full ingredient library?

Get 50+ Asian ingredients with photos, substitutes and shopping tips — completely free in the MyPetitWok app.

Get the free app