Grocery List: Asian Market

Most of the recipes I post here will require only items that you can find easily in major grocery stores. You'll notice, however, that I will sometimes include slightly rarer foodstuffs (white miso!) into the recipe list.

I don't do this to make your life harder, or because I'm abandoning you to fend for yourselves in the scuffed, overbright aisles of your Ralph's/Stop-'n'-Shop/Safeway/Publix. Often, I choose to include it because it is valuable, versatile, cheap, AND can be bought alongside a host of similarly useful and hard-to-find items. For instance, miso is the best thing in the world, and conveniently (often, but not always) gives you an excuse to visit an Asian Market.

Whether or not you are familiar with your nearest Asian Market, here is a list of stuff you should look out:

• (White, or not) Miso: It lasts forever if you don't open it, and a whole year or more (in the 'fridge) if you do. It has such a wonderful, intricate flavor that it lends itself to wonderfully rich and delicious dressings, soup bases, sauces, and (vegan) gravies - search the tags if you don't believe me. Read on about it here.
• Furikake: Sprinkle some of this on a bowl of plain ol' white rice, and suddenly it will become the best part of your meal.
• Chopsticks: If you haven't learned how to use them, you really ought to. In my experience, chopsticks are way easier to clean and stash (e.g., in an office desk) than other utensils. Plus, learning how to use chopsticks means that you will always be able to use some coffee stirrers to enjoy your food in case you, like me, always forget to take a knife and fork before bringing lunch somewhere.
• Three Lady Brand Rice Paper: Commonly used for vietnamese spring rolls, but can be used to make healthy, on-the-go lettuce wraps.
• Sesame Seeds: These are often cheaper at Asian Markets.
• Nori: AKA the seaweed wrapping for sushi that is often sold at crazy prices elsewhere.
• Tofu: If you can find this kind, you can store them in a cupboard (no refrigeration!) for a month or two and have a protein-rich, refreshing, yummy (in my opinion) snack or dinner accompaniment whenever. Stick one in your gym bag and guzzle it after a workout. Pair it with furikake and feel legit.
• Fruits and veggies: The variety is usually excellent. Find something completely unfamiliar or bizarre and eat it!
• Spices: If you don't have a Farmer's Market nearby that will sell you spices for $1 or less, consider stocking up here.
• Rice: Rice is an excellent thing to stockpile when you want to save money, and you will likely have more variety here than in a western chain grocery store.
• Pocky: Or those panda-looking snack cookies. Hel-looooooo, Panda.
• Something new and interesting: I bought an octopus tentacle once, and it was fun to eat. If you haven't heard of lychee or mochi, try it out and surprise yourself with the deliciousness!

If visiting an Asian Market feels too adventuresome, don't worry - they have books for people like you. In all seriousness, though, don't be intimidated by the unfamiliar! I promise that a lot of good will come from leaving your comfort zone and trying something new.

Seriously, though, buy and use miso. It's your express ticket to frugal yet superior cuisine.

Commentariats! What do you like to buy at Asian grocery stores? What, if anything, do you avoid?