Six Must Have Chinese Ingredients - Chinese Cooking 101

Speak about Chinese ingredients, I can talk for days --- seasonings, spices, fermented products, dried ingredients, fresh ingredients... Just look at what I have on hand. Honestly, I got lost when I started to make this video. So, today, I’m going to focus on 6 sauces (Soy Sauce, Oyster Sauce, Chinese Black Vinegar, Chinese Cooking Wine, Hoisin Sauce, Sichuan Dou Ban Jiang) you’ll definitely need for most of my Chinese recipes. All the other stuff, we will talk about another day.

1. Soy sauce 01:17

- The difference between dark and light soy sauce: 01:33

- Soy Sauce Use cases: 02:14

- How to pick a good quality soy sauce: 02:37

- Amazon Link:

2. Oyster sauce 05:38

- Oyster Sauce Use Cases: 06:00

- Oyster sauce Substitution: 06:34

- How to pick Oyster sauce: 06:56

- How to store oyster sauce: 07:46

- Amazon link:

3. Chinese cooking wine：08:20

- Cooking Wine Use cases: 08:31

- Cooking Wine Substitution: 09:05

- How to pick a good Chinese cooking wine: 09:27

- How to Store cooking wine: 10:29

- Amazon Link

4. Chinese Black vinegar: 10:43

- Chinese Black Vinegar Use cases: 11:14

- Chinese Black Vinegar Substitution: 11:39

- How to pick a good quality black vinegar: 11:59

- How to Store Chinese Black Vinegar: 12:56

- Amazon link:

5. Sichuan Dou ban Jiang： 13:22

- Sichuan Dou ban Jiang Use cases: 13:41

- Sichuan Dou ban Jiang Substitution: 14:12

- How To Store Sichuan Dou ban Jiang： 14:22

- Amazon link:

6. Hoisin sauce: 14:42

- Hoisin sauce Use Cases: 15:08

- Hoisin sauce Storage tip: 15:33

- Hoisin Sauce Amazon link:

[drnancysjohnson]

As a retired psychologist, after 40 years of practice, I’d like to recommend daily viewings of Souped Up Recipes for mild depression, having the blahs or the blues, or as a way of relaxing. I always get a lift from whatever video I watch because the hostess is so delightful, funny, smart & actually makes me want to cook again, even if it’s just for me. I have sent my daughters & all my friends & their friends a video along w/ a recommendation to just watch it & enjoy. I certainly w/ the person who wrote in their commentary that they wished she were their neighbor & would mow her lawn, wash her windows, etc. I really like reading other viewers’ comments as well as watching the videos. Thanks so much!

[jasoncrane]

I have seen a lot of Chinese cooking videos, and I must say this was one of the best explanations of ingredients and their differences and uses I have ever seen. Precise, to the point and a detailed reasoning behind every recommendation. There are not enough thumbs up to say how much I enjoyed this video.

[alexblaze]

I’m proud to say, after making many of your recipes these last 6 months I already have all 6 of your recommended sauces PLUS sesame oil, shrimp paste, various rice wine and vinegars, shao xing wine, mushroom flavored soy sauce (the absolute secret ingredient to great lo mein), mapo sauce, Chinese 5 spice, Korean chili powder, hot chili oil, black bean paste, and squid ink. You’ve definitely amped up my Asian cooking capabilities.

[sao]

You are such a nice, honest, knowledgeable and competent person! Your enthusiasm and sheer joy, expressed with your every molecule, clearly enthrall your audience. I love to watch you cook, and I've learned so much!!! Thank you so very much.

[susieangelo]

Mandy has volumes of knowledge and shares her "know-how" generously with her Viewers. She is truly a great teacher with patience to explain "the why and how" in preparing each of her delicious recipes. 💜

[jaymar]

Thanks to your videos I am now preparing Chinese cuisine for my family. Your presentation is thorough, charming, and sincere. You are a good teacher and we appreciate all the work you put into each video. Thanks! Let us know if you ever decide to publish a cookbook. I would buy it in a minute.

[FoodChainTV]

What a great video! It's very hard to find someone that can properly translate the art and nuances of Chinese cuisine into the English language. I find your videos are truly the best! Thank you so much for making your channel.

[hischild]

I ordered the wok and now I know I ordered the correct ingredients. I cannot thank you enough for helping me to learn to cook a new way and to make wonderful food. You are the most organized person I’ve ever seen on YouTube. Your channel is wonderful!

[dan_hitchman]

I appreciate your clear and thorough explanations as well as usage examples and what to look for in a quality product. So often, many other cooking channels will rattle off a bunch of "necessary" items for your Chinese pantry without specific examples as to WHY and WHERE they might be most used. This can save novice Chinese cooks money as well as assisting in creating more delicious and authentic tasting dishes. Thank you, Mandy!

[max]

1. Soy sauce ( dark n light )
2. Oyster sauce
3. Rice wine
4. Chinese black vinegar
5. Chili beans paste ( dou ban
Jiang )
6. Hoisin sauce

[joshuacoffman]

Just wanted to say thank you. I'm a pretty decently skilled home cook, but I've never had the consistently fantastic results with my Chinese cooking that my family and I have been enjoying since discovering your channel. Soooo many delicious dishes, I simply can't wait to try them all. And your presentation is absolutely spot on. You are a true gem. Thanks again!

[JohnScottFore]

No more wandering aimlessly around the Asian market. Thank you so much for this video!

[michaelramsay]

Wow, been cooking for years and learned more here than most other Youtube channels. Thanks.

[daisykittencm]

What a great video. My hasband and I love Chinese food, but we cant go to restaurants anymore because of his gluten allergy. I am a vegetarian too. I want to learn how to make Chinese food at home so we can keep enjoying it. I appreciate substitution ideas without judgement and such clear explanations for what each product adds to a recipe.

[davehenry]

You brighten my kitchen, make me smile...and make my day better.

[Jonney]

Incredibly detailed information here! An absolute goldmine!

[stormy]

You never fail to impress me with your ability to be engaging, informative, & entertaining! I 💘 my wok I purchased from you! NO ONE is allowed to touch it but me! 😉 My friends & family love it when I make your recipes. Recently, while out with friends, they wanted to go to a nice Chinese restaurant. We ordered our food and started eating egg drop soup. Everyone stopped after the first bite, looked at me, & said "Your egg drop soup is so much better tasting & silkier!!" 😃💝 Egg Drop Soup was the first recipe I learned from you!! Thankyou so much for all your hard work and beautiful personality!

[Cindy-ngsx]

Finally how refreshing to find someone to not only explain each sauce and how it’s made but how to STORE it. I found a Chinese market right near my house and it was like Christmas 🎄, I bought all the things here by label so inexpensive too I spent 12 dollars on huge bottles of soy, oyster and cooking wine. Can you do a video on types of noodles in a Chinese market and what to use them for? I found so many types of noodles there .

[segunajose]

You make me want to cook again. I’m going to go through my cupboards and create a Chinese ingredients section. You’re now my daily must watch. Thank you.

[francoveritas]

You are the best person ever to explain in an educational manner everything we need to know about cooking delicious Chinese dishes!!! Your short videos have helped me tremendously cook amazing dinners for my huge family and friends, you make me look like a professional cook, you make cooking healthy meals simple and fun!!!