Douchi is possibly the oldest soybean food product known to man and is a great way to add saltiness and umami to dishes. Its distinctive flavor is essential to creating authentic-tasting versions of many Chinese dishes. Try one of the douchi substitutes below if you are out of this versatile …
Doubanjiang is a legendary seasoning paste from China’s Sichuan province. Because it is essential to the flavor profiles of dishes from this part of China, you should only opt for substitutes as a last resort. If you can’t find the real thing, here are some of the best doubanjiang substitutes …
Mizuame is a Japanese sweetener traditionally made from rice and that consists mostly of maltose. You will need it to get the glossy sheen seen on some Japanese confections. Mizuame may not be an easy product to find outside of Japan, even in Asian grocery stores; however, many alternatives are …
Prahok is one of the fundamental ingredients in Cambodian cuisine. It is important enough that it will be difficult to make most Khmer dishes without it. It might not be the easiest ingredient to find if you don’t live in Cambodia or a location with a sizable population of Cambodian …
Mentsuyu is a popular dipping sauce or broth for Japanese udon and soba noodles. This sauce is widely available in Japan but may not be as easy to find in other parts of the world. If you are out of this noodle sauce, here are some of the best mentsuyu …
Sweet bean sauce is also known as tianmianjiang and is one of the key sauces for Peking duck and is used in a variety of noodle dishes. Its unique blend of umami and sweet qualities makes it difficult (but not impossible) to replace. Here are some of the best sweet …
Doenjang is a staple of Korean cooking and is responsible for that cuisine’s distinctive umami flavor. It is an essential ingredient that is difficult to replace. If you have no way to get some and need it in a hurry, here are some doenjang substitutes that you can try. Your …
Chinese sesame paste is a key ingredient in a range of Chinese dishes including dan dan noodles and various dipping sauces. You can also use it in salad dressings and desserts. It is a valuable source of a rich, nutty flavor, but it is not irreplaceable. Here are some of …