Thai Chef Takes You Grocery Shopping!

Ever been overwhelmed by all the options at the Asian grocery store when you're shopping for Thai ingredients? This video is exactly what you need. I take you on a tour of an Asian grocery store and talk through how to choose the right products for Thai cooking and appropriate substitutes.

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About Pai:

Pailin “Pai” Chongchitnant is the author of the Hot Thai Kitchen cookbook, co-host of a Canadian TV series One World Kitchen on Gusto TV, and creator and host of the YouTube channel Pailin's Kitchen.

Pai was born and raised in southern Thailand where she spent much of her "playtime" in the kitchen. She traveled to Canada to study Nutritional Sciences at the University of British Columbia, and was later trained as a chef at Le Cordon Bleu culinary school in San Francisco.

[ahill]

I used to eat at a local Thai restaurant in California once a week. They had an adjoining grocery store. One day, I decided I wanted to make my own pad see iew. I was wandering up and down the aisles, putting what I thought I needed into my cart. One of the waitresses saw me and asked me what I was shopping for. I told her. She took everything out of my cart, and said, "Now, I will show you what you need." I am so grateful for her kindness and help. My version wasn't as good as theirs, but it was 90% as good. Gotta have the right ingredients!

[chasdrum]

Wow. You're amazing. A Chinese store owner in Dallas when I was in college befriended me and showed me how to cook a number of dishes. We ended up friends even though he had very little English. He'd invite me for dinner with his family and demonstrate various techniques. That was more than 50 years ago. I've been enjoying cooking and eating Asian food ever since and thought I knew a lot about ingredients. But I got more useful information from this 17 minute video than in years of chatting with cooks and store owners. So concise and straight-forward. You've got a fan. Thank you!!

[imalittleeggroll]

I was born in 🇰🇷
Adopted at 3 months. Now 43.
I’ve just NOW got the time to start exploring ALL Asian dishes…I have learned the most from you! I made Nam Jim Jaew and my family loved it (including my 83 year old Caucasian father). I’m thankful for your channel! ❤

[lanalorenzen]

I like this woman a lot: intelligent, articulate, straight-forward, no nonsense. The Thai Restaurant in St. George, Utah, Benj's Thai Garden, is excellent. Unfortunately, St. George is relatively small (except in the Winter) and doesn't have a Thai or any Asian store. As a whole-food, plant-based fan, I'd cook a lot more Asian if we had a store here. And speaking of Asian, I could easily live on the superb Japanese rice, Koshihikari rice; it is exquisite! There's no comparison between Japanese rice and the rice you buy at your local supermarket. I've subscribed!

[cyber]

As a Thai-American child estranged from his family, this video (and your channel overall) has helped me to reconnect with my culture a lot. You make Som Tum just like the way my Yaipin used to. Thank you so much for sharing the best parts of our culture that many people don't get to interact with on a day to day basis unless they're Thai themselves.

[ExclusiveLM]

At 7:01 the little girl in the background pushing the tiny supermarket cart was the such a cute moment

[waydehomemade]

Overwhelmed is an understatement. In DFW we have an H Mart. It's the size of a super Walmart packed with interesting but unrecognizable items. There was literally an entire isle devoted to soy sauce as was and entire isle of noodles. I finally stopped a lady about my age to ask about black vinegar. She directed me to her daughter whose an accomplished cook. They both shared they were of Thai heritage and gave me a great tip. Once you find the item your'e looking for, see which brand has the most taken from the shelf. That might be a good indicator of which (black vinegar in this case) was most popular. I've used that tip several times over my many trips, usually with good results. Thanks for the education.

[pearlexi]

Wow I actually never bought coconut milk from the carton before. Good to know that it’s better than the canned version. I’ll try that next time. Thanks Pai!

[adasharp]

So I work in the grocery industry building schematics for stocking sections. I just so happen to be working on Asian categories and have an interest in Thai and Japanese cooking. This unexpectedly gave me some very valuable insight. Not even what I watch your channel for but much appreciated. I love your videos. Very informative and you make it fun.

[ninjagamer]

I don’t think I’ve ever even eaten Thai food but this lady is so pleasant and informative I’m still watching, haha, makes me want to try some new things!

[SuperDorame]

Khun Pailin ka, I love you!!. I'm a Thai as I have found your channel recently. I always relied on my mom cook when I was a kid and when growing up I live alone as working in Bangkok. I usually don't kook as its cheaper if eating street food in a dish. I can cook for not manny recipe ( sure that only my favourite ones) . Im hooked with your channel, inspired me to cook more. I have to manage work life balance and then I would have time to enjoy cooking. Beyond watching you cook with fun and delight, I love to read the foreigners's comments to feel their enjoy and happy that they can follow you and make a nice meals to themselves, their family, their kids and their friends. Im happy with them, and proud of you that taught them to cook Thai food and yess!! Thai foods are flexible, they can also adapt for their taste and ingredients sometimes. Just woul love to Thank you to make your channel with talented cooking skills and always have beautiful smiles, you make lots of people delight, keep go on. Love love.

[Pastadudde]

"Thai Auntie" lol love how Pai has embraced it

[fredrikliljeblad]

Dear Khun Pailin, This is a PERFECT guide to Thai food. I wrote a Thai cookbook in my native Sweden, which has remained a best-selller for years. I love Thai food, which is the best on the planet, I feel. You have taught me to like coconut milk in paper cartons, which I use exclisively now. I am addicted to Durian, which my partner makes me wrap very tightly and eat quickly! I love your programme/channel. Do keep it up.

[corgisaan]

WOW thank you Pailin! I thought i knew my Asian grocery shopping until i watched this video! Appreciate all the info!

[pacman]

*Finally* I have a Thai auntie 🥰 I’ve been cooking Thai for a very long time. I recently moved to EU and don’t have access to the same brands as I used to. Your explanations of why certain brands are your favorites (i.e. ingredients) has been extremely helpful to choose what to buy here. Thank you! ❤

[ladkong]

Love to go to T&T whenever I am in Toronto. I am a Chinese Jamaican living in Florida for the past 45 years and watch all your shows giving them a thumbs up and they are great. I cook a lot after I retired and watch your show to expand my repertoire.

[gooffie]

ขอบคุณที่ทำคลิปนี้ออกมานะคะ มีประโยชน์กับคนต่างชาติมากๆ แถมช่วยโปรโมทสินค้าไทยด้วยค่ะ

[packrat]

As a pretty experienced Thai and Vietnamese cook (Total Gringo from Mississippi), I still found this extremely helpful! Thank you so much!
I have access to multiple very good Asian grocery stores. I definitely learned more about navigating them from you.

[donaleeslack]

I spoke to a manager at the T&T market near me. I suggested that purhaps twice a month there could be a guide that takes groups of their non Asian customers or any customer thru the store teaching and showing what ingredients to use for maybe a couple of dishes to cook at home. I love Asian foods and would like to get a better understanding of the ingredients. It's a win win for all. New revenue for store and Lots more eager customers 😀

[hinas_for_life]

Just rewatched this video, had so much fun again. You really are a match made in heaven as a cook with your happy and fun personality. That's why your loved so much!!! Happy New Year from Japan!!