Are you an Asian living in Los Angeles who loves to cook dishes that remind you of home? Or maybe you don’t have anything Asian in your love, but you are a big fan of Asian cuisine?

It doesn’t matter which group you belong because there are some tricks and tips you need to know to create the most delicious Asian dishes!

1. Use Fresh Vegetables All the Time

Asian cuisine uses plenty of veggies, so whether you are planning to cook China’s xiaolongbao or Japan’s kamameshi, make sure you only use fresh vegetables. You will be able to taste a difference if you go easy with canned ingredients. The dish might not even cook properly if your spices don’t stick to your watery and rubbery veggies.

2. Buy and Use the Right Equipment

It is especially important if you will join a cooking class or participate in team-building exercises. Even though you can fry up some youtiao using a regular pan, using a wok will make the whole process much easier. Woks are designed for the specific temperatures and ingredients that you will be using. You will also feel a lot more authentic if you only use genuine Asian tools for whipping up your favorite Asian dishes!

3. Cook Ingredients Separately

Chunky and thick vegetables require longer cooking time than leafy greens, which means you will only be asking for trouble if you steep both in just one pot. You can do yourself a big favor if you prepare the ingredients separately first before you add them to the final dish. You wouldn’t want to bite into raw bok choy and tough broccoli, would you?

4. Gather the Staples You Need

Miso is essential to Japanese cooking. Limes are frequently used in Vietnamese and Thai dishes. South Koreans love their chili peppers and chili sauces. If you are a fan of the cuisine of a specific country, you will want to fill your pantry with its staple ingredients. It will not just let you cook all of their traditional dishes because you can also experiment at the same time.

5. Learn More About Bases

Most Asian dishes have a noodle or rice base, but you have to remember that these culinary treasures have numerous varieties. Rice, for instance, goes beyond just the usual brown or white rice. You can also find short-grain rice for sticky dishes such as sushi and long-grain rice for fluffy and light casseroles. A recipe might also require rice vinegar or rice wine, so also need to be familiar with these.

6. Pay Attention to Specifics

When a recipe requires coconut milk, never use regular milk as a substitute. You will only mess with the delicate balance of textures and flavors that go into traditional Asian dishes. Even though you might not be a fan ofcoconut’s taste itself, you will still appreciate the smooth creaminess that it can add to your favorite curry dish.

Shop for your Asian ingredients at Asia Foods &Grocery Supermarket Los Angeles and enjoy delicious Asian dishes in the comforts of your home!