Japanese Seasoning Set in HCMC: 5 Essentials on Farmi

To cook Japanese food in Ho Chi Minh City, start by stocking up on seasonings. With just five essentials: soy sauce, miso, mirin, vinegar, and dashi, you can make everything from miso soup and simmered dishes to teriyaki. On Farmi, order all five at once through the app with cold-chain delivery.

Why buy a seasoning set?

Japanese cooking is built on "sa-shi-su-se-so" (sugar, salt, vinegar, soy sauce, miso), but recreating Japanese dishes abroad also requires mirin and dashi. With these five seasonings on hand, you can cover most home-cooked Japanese meals: miso soup, simmered dishes, teriyaki, and vinegared sides.

Hunting for each seasoning at different stores around HCMC can be time-consuming. With Farmi, you can order all five from a single app, delivered via cold chain to preserve quality. Whether you are trying Japanese cooking for the first time or simply want to keep your pantry stocked during life abroad, buying the set is the most convenient option.

The 5 essentials: what each one does

Soy sauce (Shoyu)

The flavor foundation of Japanese cuisine. Brewed from soybeans and wheat, soy sauce delivers a balanced combination of umami and salt. Use it in simmered dishes, grilled dishes, dipping sauces, and dressings. For your first bottle, koikuchi (dark soy sauce) is the most versatile choice.

Miso

A traditional fermented paste made from soybeans and koji. Beyond miso soup, it works in marinades, stir-fries, and as a dip. Varieties include white miso, red miso, and awase (blended) miso. Beginners should start with awase miso for its versatility.

Mirin

A sweet seasoning made from glutinous rice. Unlike sugar, mirin adds an elegant, mellow sweetness and a glossy sheen. Essential for teriyaki, simmered dishes, and tamagoyaki (rolled omelet). Mix soy sauce and mirin in a 1:1 ratio for an instant teriyaki glaze.

Rice vinegar (Su)

Japanese vinegar brewed from rice, with a mild and gentle acidity. Used in vinegared salads, sushi rice, and nanban pickles. In Vietnam's hot climate, refreshing vinegar-based dishes are a great way to stimulate the appetite.

Dashi

The umami-rich broth extracted from kombu (kelp) and katsuobushi (bonito flakes), serving as the base for miso soup, simmered dishes, and clear soups. While making it from scratch is ideal, dashi packs and granulated dashi deliver authentic flavor with minimal effort. For a busy life abroad, dashi packs are the most practical option.

Starter recipes with your seasoning set

Basic miso soup (dashi + miso)

Brew dashi using a dashi pack, then simmer tofu, wakame seaweed, or your preferred ingredients. Turn off the heat and stir in the miso. Avoid boiling after adding miso, as it diminishes the aroma. Finish on low heat for the best result.

Teriyaki chicken (soy sauce + mirin)

Pan-fry chicken thigh, then coat it with a glaze made from equal parts soy sauce and mirin. Add a little sugar for extra shine. Serve it over rice for a simple teriyaki rice bowl.

Cucumber sunomono (vinegar + soy sauce)

Thinly slice cucumber, rub with salt, and toss with vinegar, soy sauce, and sugar. A refreshing side dish that suits HCMC's hot climate perfectly, and pairs well with any meal as a palate cleanser.

Storage guide

HCMC is hot and humid year-round, so proper seasoning storage is important. Store them correctly and they will keep their quality for a long time.

• Soy sauce: refrigerate after opening. Seal tightly and use promptly to prevent oxidation
• Miso: always keep refrigerated. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface to block air, extending its shelf life. Freezing is also an option
• Mirin: refrigerate after opening is recommended. Room temperature is fine, but refrigeration better preserves the flavor
• Vinegar: store away from direct sunlight in a cool, dark place or in the refrigerator. Vinegar's natural antibacterial properties help it last relatively long
• Dashi: keep dashi packs at room temperature away from heat and humidity. Seal granulated dashi tightly after opening to prevent moisture

Benefits of buying on Farmi

• One-stop ordering: add all 5 to your cart on the app, no need to shop around
• Cold-chain delivery: temperature-controlled shipping, as fast as 1 hour to your door
• Japanese quality: carefully selected seasonings from trusted brands
• Japanese-language support: app and customer service available in Japanese
• HCMC-wide coverage: delivered to your home or office anywhere in HCMC

Download the Farmi app and get your essential seasoning set today. Start enjoying authentic Japanese home cooking right now.

Note: this article and some images were created with the assistance of AI (artificial intelligence) and reviewed by our editorial team before publication.