[Tesseract]

Well, my huge bottle of hoisin sauce that I bought years ago finally ran out. So I'm planning a trip over to my local asian supermarket to pick up another one, and I'm wondering what other vegan items I might want to keep my eyes peeled for, and what brands/types regular shoppers recommend. Any favorites?

 

[*AHIMSA*]

We don't have Chinese grocers here. Plenty of 'Asian' markets (Korean, Vietnamese and Cambodian) but no 'Chinese-only' markets. What we *do* have is Chinese medicine/herb stores! I frequent those and buy:<br><br>
Ying Chio, Astragulus, Bao He Wan, Po Sum On and about a million other concoctions <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/grin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="">

 

[Jinga]

Steamed buns with sweet bean curd filling. Its one of the thing I most miss from China.

 

[Tesseract]

I think the grocery I'm going to is Chinese, but I doubt it's exclusively Chinese. They may also feature products from other countries. Houston also has a large Vietnamese population.<br><br><br><br>
PS: Po Sum On??? That's a trade name, right? <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/wink3.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="">

 

[karenM]

Depending on the market, and my whims, I'll usually pick up...<br><br><br><br>
vegetable, leek and/or mushroom-filled buns from the freezer section<br><br>
preserved bamboo shoots in chili oil (packed in plastic pouches, sometimes kept in the refrigerated section)<br><br>
vegetarian ham and other mock meats (watch out, many have whey and/or egg)<br><br>
any type of lotus seed or red bean paste cakes/sweets that appear to be made from vegan ingredients<br><br>
tom yum (Thai spicy sour soup) paste (I can usually find at least one brand that doesn't have shrimp in it)<br><br>
agar; plain or flavored mixes (cheaper than Whole Foods)<br><br>
durian, fresh lychees, and other produce that's harder to find and/or a lot more expensive elsewhere<br><br>
pre-fried tofu cubes<br><br>
powdered coconut milk, if they have any without caesin

 

[isowish]

I just get a ton of juice. Guava, lychee, sugarcane...mmmmm

 

[meatless]

- coconut milk<br><br>
- hot chili sauce<br><br>
- canned curry paste (i.e. just add coconut milk)<br><br>
- deep fried tofu squares<br><br>
- wonton wrappers

 

[4EverGrounded]

My picks:<br><br><br><br>
* chinese black vinegar - excellent sub for [vegan] worchestershire sauce (and usually cheaper, too)<br><br><br><br>
* mochi! (need I say more?) <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/drool.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":drool:"><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/lick.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":lick:"><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/hungry.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":hungry:"><br><br><br><br>
* curry paste<br><br><br><br>
* coconut milk<br><br><br><br>
* dried mushrooms (the asian store here has dried 'shrooms cheaper than the<br><br>
american stores)<br><br><br><br>
* nori sheets of ALL types/sizes (super handy if you make your own sushi)<br><br><br><br>
* Teas of all types<br><br><br><br>
* sweet potato chips (I don't read chinese well enough to tell you what brand they are, but they're krinkle cut and lightly sweetened. AND they're addictive. Like, "waaaay worse than crack" addictive <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/lick.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":lick:"> ).<br><br><br><br>
* any produce that is too pricey in american stores (japanese eggplant, lotus root, etc)<br><br><br><br>
* any noodle or rice variety that would be $$$$$ everywhere else.<br><br><br><br>
* MISO! (seriously. I found HUGE jars for half the price of everyone else)<br><br><br><br>
* dried chilis/chili oils/chili sauce<br><br><br><br>
* various dried beans that you can't find anywhere else (azuki, etc).<br><br><br><br>
* TOFU!! allll different types, too. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/broccoli.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":bobo:"><br><br><br><br>
With all things, check ingredients. Most products will have the english translation to it but if not, you can probably find someone there that will be more than happy to translate for you.

 

[slp2b]

We have a Phillipino market here. I have gotten miso, tahini, soy sauce, hoisin, banana sauce, lychee juice, and sweet and sour sauce.

 

[rabid_child]

Canned Lychees <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/grin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=""><br><br>
Dark Sesame Oil<br><br>
Rice Crackers with Seaweed <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="">

 

[misq17]

vegan wonton wrappers!

 

[courgette]

Sadly, I live in a backwater, no Chinese grocery available. A lot of things aren't available here.<br><br><br><br>
Love to know if you find wonderful and interesting things!

 

[Tempeh-Tantrums]

Tofu. Always great prices!!<br><br><br><br>
The canned mock meats by "Companion Foods" are funky but basically just seitan in a sauce, pretty good in stir-fry or curry.<br><br><br><br>
Sweet-Hot Chili Sauce.<br><br><br><br>
Noodles of all sorts and types.<br><br><br><br>
The frozen buns filled with mushrooms or cabbage, that you steam. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/lick.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":lick:"> My girls will eat those like crazy!<br><br><br><br>
Lots of instant ramen-style noodle soups for my kids lunches - cheaper and some are made with whole-grain brown rice and no MSG.<br><br><br><br>
Soy Sauce. (cheaper!!)<br><br><br><br>
Coconut Milk. (WAY cheaper and lots of variety and some "light" versions too)

 

[Poppy]

Produce - long beans, green beans, mushrooms, limes, cilantro, basil, bok choi, spinach, mung bean sprouts! I even buy things I don't really know what to do with - all of the produce is georgous and cheap.<br><br><br><br>
I also buy coconut milk, curry pastes, soup bases, all kinds of dried noodles, dried mushrooms, hoison sauce (the one with the yellow and blue label), soy sauce, tea, spices, straw mushrooms, bamboo shoots.....ahhhh!<br><br><br><br>
And I love to look at all of the creepy things in the freezer section!

 

[Trueveggie14]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>misq17</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
vegan wonton wrappers!</div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
I wish... Mine only sells the wrappers with egg in them.<br><br><br><br>
I do buy a vegan Spring Roll Pastry that I use to make Ravioli, tortellini and fried wontons. Spring Home is the brand name.<br><br><br><br>
I also buy Chinese and Vietnamese dried soups. Vifon is the company. It says right on it vegetarian .... then I scan the ingredients.<br><br><br><br>
They have cheaper herbs, spices, roots, and flowers then the regular grocer, so I buy Cayenne pepper, dried Chamomile Flowers, dried mint leaves.<br><br><br><br>
I buy their House Tofu which comes in a nice large 19 oz tray for about $.20 cheaper than the 12 oz. tray sold at the regular grocer.<br><br><br><br>
Sadly, though I will no longer be near that neighborhood come close of business tomorrow. I don't know where the next closest one would be for me. I think it would be silly to venture over an hour and a half just for a few items. Unless I find one on my route to my new job, then no more Asian market for me for a while. I'm also stocked, so there's no point in stopping there after work tomorrow.

 

[ren]

Frozen Edamame. Yum. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="">

 

[nigel]

egg roll and wonton wrappers<br><br>
pickled lettuce (great on rice)<br><br>
dried garlic<br><br>
dried red onion<br><br>
vegetarian oyster sauce<br><br>
rice vermicelli<br><br>
tofu<br><br>
fried tufo<br><br>
maesri canned curry pastes<br><br>
coconut milk<br><br>
rice paper<br><br>
nori<br><br>
canned straw mushrooms<br><br>
canned baby corn<br><br>
sushi rice!<br><br>
rice wine vinegar<br><br>
canned 'zotic fruits<br><br>
shriracha<br><br>
sambal oleck<br><br><br><br>
in the produce section<br><br>
wtaer spinach (entsai)<br><br>
bock choy<br><br>
nappa<br><br>
galaga<br><br>
ginger<br><br>
cilantro

 

[prairie_girl]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block"><br>
* sweet potato chips (I don't read chinese well enough to tell you what brand they are, but they're krinkle cut and lightly sweetened. AND they're addictive. Like, "waaaay worse than crack" addictive ).<br></div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
the ones with the sesame seeds on them, oh dear, I know about those. In fact...we have a couple bags in the cupboard right now!!!!

 

[astro]

fake chicken nuggets and beef strips<br><br>
veggie oyster sauce<br><br>
spring rolls<br><br>
sambal olek<br><br>
noodles<br><br>
chilli bamboo shoots

 

[4EverGrounded]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>prairie_girl</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
the ones with the sesame seeds on them, oh dear, I know about those. In fact...<b>we have a couple bags in the cupboard right now</b>!!!!</div>
</div>
<br>
You're much stronger than I am, that's for sure. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/laugh.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":lol:"><br><br><br><br>
The last bag I bought didn't make it out of the parking lot at all. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/lipsrsealed2.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":sealed:">