As I often feature Chinese and Thai dishes on The Pasadena Chef, many readers have asked what ingredients they should keep on hand to prepare authentic Asian meals at home. A well-stocked pantry is the foundation of creating flavorful Chinese and Thai cuisine.

So after being asked multiple times, I’ve decided to post an essential shopping list, so you can properly stock up your pantry. When you feel the urge to make some stunning and healthy Chinese food, you should be able to go into the kitchen and pull something together relatively quickly.

As these ingredients will last quite a long time, an initial stock up will produce many fine meals. You will find that most benefit from being stored in the refrigerator. Additionally, buy the best brand you can find. I find that Lee Kum Kee or Pearl River brand is always good for Chinese staples.

Looking for a classic Chinese dish to try out you new ingredients, Kung Pao Chicken- Authentic Sichuan Recipe

One of my favorite Hunan dishes, Hunan Pork Belly with Seared Peppers

Or a step by step to make your own Chinese BBQ Pork, Authentic Char Siu Recipe: Make Delicious BBQ Pork at Home

A great recipe to try rice cakes, Din Tai Fung Shanghai Rice Cakes with Shrimp Recipe

A spicy satisfying Sichuan tofu, Sichuan Vegetarian Tofu Recipe: Quick and Flavorful

And a Thai classic braised chicken, Gai Tung – Thai Braised Chicken with Aromatic Spices

Here’s a great spicy Sichuan fish recipe, Spicy Sichuan Fish Recipe with Sweet and Sour Flavors

Looking for a classic Thai street food dish, try Thai Chicken with Basil/ Gai Pad Prik Grapao- Top Thai Dish

Looking for a list of recipes I come back to again and again, My Favorite Recipes

Here’s your list:

The Must Have Ingredients:

Light Soy Sauce- Lee Kum Kee, Pearl River Bridge.
Dark Soy Sauce-Lee Kum Kee, Pearl River Bridge.
Fish Sauce-Red Boat, Three Crabs or Squid
Golden Mountain Sauce
Oyster Sauce- Lee Kum Kee Premium
Hoisin Sauce – Lee Kum Kee
Toasted Sesame Oil – Kadoya
Chinkiang Vinegar
Rice Vinegar
Shaoxing Rice Wine
Hot Bean Paste
Lao Gan Ma Spicy Chili Crisp
Lao Gan Ma Chili Oil with Black Bean
Chili Paste
Fermented Black Beans
Szechuan Peppercorns
Tien Tsin Chilies, dried
Chicken powder- A concentrated chicken seasoning used throughout Chinese cooking to add savory flavor and umami.

Note: If you can’t find the certain brands I mentioned above, here’s a good brand to substitute, Kikkoman. They are readily available in a lot of supermarkets and overall their products are good.

With these basic pantry ingredients, you can make many stunning Chinese and Thai dishes, including recipes from the spicy Sichuan and Hunan regions. Sauces for dumplings and many wonderful noodle dishes.

And here’s an excellent online source for the best Sichuan and Chinese ingredients, https://www.themalamarket.com

Here’s another helpful hint. Many communities have a Korean market, and they will often stock Chinese and Thai ingredients as well.

For the fresh and pantry items, I always have the following on hand:

Garlic
Fresh Ginger Root
White Onions
Green Onions/Scallions
Red Peppers, not the spicy ones.
Tofu
Peanuts
Cashews
Cornstarch
Vegetable Broth
Peanut, Canola or Sunflower Oil

Interested in exploring some other cuisines, here’s a good place to start, Stocking Your Italian Pantry: Essential Ingredients for Authentic Italian Cooking

Or want to learn how to make an authentic curry or tandoori, Building an Indian Pantry: Essential Ingredients