title: Asian Ingredients: A Guide to the Foodstuffs of China, Japan, Korea, Thailand and Vietnam
author:  Bruce Cost 
description: "Bruce Cost is one of the greatest cooks I've ever known . . . He truly demystifies many previously forbidding and odd ingredients."-- Alice Waters""Asian Ingredients is by far the most comprehensive guide to essential ingredients for Asian cooking ever published in English. It unfolds the many mysteries of precisely what you are tossing into your wok or skillet . . . the recipes are excellent."-- Craig Claiborne"For a long time, I have valued Bruce Cost as a cook. And his recipes, of course, are terrific. But even if you never set foot in the kitchen, you'll probably want this book. For if you have ever eaten in a Chinese, Japanese, Thai, or Korean restaurant and wondered what was on your plate, this book has the answers. I honestly can't imagine that any curious eaters will want to be without it."-- Ruth Reichl, Editor in Chief, "Gourmet"This book is about a fascination with foodstuffs. It can be your guide through an immense and profound realm of Asian cuisine."-- From the Foreword by Alice Waters
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  ![001](pat_9781570616983_msr_cvi_r1.jpg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Table of Contents
  
  
    
  
  
  [Title Page](pat_9781570616983_oeb_tp_r1.html)
  
  
  [Acknowledgements](pat_9781570616983_oeb_ack_r1.html)
  
  
  [Introduction](pat_9781570616983_oeb_itr_r1.html)
  
  
  [USING THIS BOOK AND MENU PLANNING](pat_9781570616983_oeb_fm1_r1.html)
  
  
  [TECHNIQUES AND EQUIPMENT](pat_9781570616983_oeb_fm2_r1.html)
  
  
    
  
  
  [Chapter 1 - THE ASIAN PANTRY: A GLOSSARY OF
  INGREDIENTS](pat_9781570616983_oeb_c01_r1.html)
  
  
    
  
  
  [Chapter 2 - FOUNDATIONS: STAPLES AND
  STOCKS](pat_9781570616983_oeb_c02_r1.html)
  
  
  [Staples](pat_9781570616983_oeb_c02_r1.html#h1)
  
  
  [Soup Stocks](pat_9781570616983_oeb_c02_r1.html#h2)
  
  
    
  
  
  [Chapter 3 - TIDBITS, PURSES, AND PARCELS](pat_9781570616983_oeb_c03_r1.html)
  
  
  [Tidbits](pat_9781570616983_oeb_c03_r1.html#h1)
  
  
  [Purses and Parcels](pat_9781570616983_oeb_c03_r1.html#h2)
  
  
    
  
  
  [Chapter 4 - SAVORY SOUPS](pat_9781570616983_oeb_c04_r1.html)
  
  
  [Light Soups](pat_9781570616983_oeb_c04_r1.html#h1)
  
  
  [Richer S