Essential Japanese Seasonings: A Basic Guide for HCMC

Living in Ho Chi Minh City, have you ever wondered "Where can I buy Japanese seasonings?" or "What can I use instead of mirin?" The flavors of Japanese cuisine are defined by basic seasonings such as soy sauce, miso, mirin, and dashi. Once you have these essentials, you can recreate the taste of simmered dishes, miso soup, and curry just like back in Japan. This page brings together everything you need to know about sourcing Japanese seasonings in HCMC, organized by theme.

Miso: The Fermented Foundation of Japanese Cooking

Miso is a traditional Japanese fermented seasoning made from soybeans, rice koji, and salt. Beyond miso soup, it is used widely in Japanese dishes including miso-marinated foods and miso stir-fries. Japanese-made miso is available in Ho Chi Minh City. For details on where to buy and how to choose the right type, check out the dedicated article.

Soy Sauce: The Everyday All-Purpose Seasoning

Soy sauce is an indispensable all-purpose seasoning in Japanese cuisine, appearing in nearly every daily meal, from sashimi dipping sauce to simmered dish seasoning. It comes in many varieties including koikuchi (dark), usukuchi (light), and tamari. We have compiled a guide to choosing the right soy sauce in HCMC.

Mirin Substitutes: Cooking Japanese Food Without Mirin

Mirin is a seasoning that adds sweetness and glaze to simmered dishes and teriyaki, but it can be hard to find overseas. The article covers substitution methods using sugar and sake, as well as alternative products available in HCMC.

Dashi Substitutes: Umami Flavor Abroad

Dashi is the umami foundation of Japanese cuisine, but in places where katsuobushi (bonito flakes) and kombu (kelp) are hard to find, you need to get creative. The article introduces practical methods for HCMC, from granulated dashi and liquid dashi to substitutions using local ingredients.

Miso Soup Ingredients: Mix and Match Without Getting Bored

Miso soup is a staple of Japanese cuisine, but living abroad you may wonder "What ingredients should I add?" The article suggests options from the classic tofu-and-wakame combination to creative variations using vegetables available in HCMC.

What Is Miso: Basics and Types

Miso comes in many types such as white miso, red miso, and mixed miso, varying by region and ingredients. The article explains each type's characteristics, how to use them, and storage methods in an easy-to-understand way.

How to Make Dashi: Mastering the Basics

Katsuobushi dashi, kombu dashi, combination dashi: learning how to make dashi stock is the most fundamental skill in Japanese cooking. The article covers tips so even beginners can succeed, along with time-saving quick methods.

Types of Soy Sauce: A Guide by Usage

Koikuchi (dark), usukuchi (light), tamari, shiro (white): each type of soy sauce suits different dishes. The article guides you through the characteristics of each type and which dishes pair best with each.

What Is Mirin: The Seasoning for Sweetness and Glaze

The article covers essential knowledge about mirin, from the difference between hon mirin (authentic mirin) and mirin-style seasoning, its role in cooking, to how to choose substitutes.

Fermented Seasonings: The Wisdom of Japanese Food Culture

Miso, soy sauce, mirin, vinegar, sake: most Japanese seasonings are fermented foods. The article comprehensively covers the umami and health benefits that fermentation brings, along with fermented seasonings available in HCMC.

Basic Japanese Seasonings Available on Farmi

When cooking Japanese food in HCMC, Farmi lets you get all the basic seasonings in one order.

• Kikkoman Soy Sauce : The most popular dark soy sauce in Japanese households. Versatile for simmered dishes, stir-fries, and dipping sauces
• Kikkoman Oyster Sauce : An oyster-extract-based sauce that adds depth to Japanese dishes. Great for stir-fried vegetables and yakisoba
• Yamamori Tsuyu : A versatile dashi-based sauce for noodle dipping and seasoning simmered dishes
• Curry House : Curry roux for easy homemade Japanese curry. Perfect for a family weekend meal
• Vermont Curry : A mild, sweet curry roux. A classic favorite among children
• Wasabi : An essential condiment for sashimi and sushi. Convenient tube type for easy use
• Karashi : Japanese-style mustard served with oden and natto. Just a small amount enhances the flavor

Order in Japanese with cold-chain delivery in as fast as 1 hour.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Where can I buy Japanese seasonings in HCMC? Order through the Farmi app and basic Japanese seasonings such as soy sauce, miso, mirin, and dashi powder will be delivered to your door. Order in Japanese with delivery in as fast as 1 hour within HCMC.

Q2. What can I substitute for mirin? Mix sugar and sake in a 1:3 ratio for a sweetness and richness close to mirin. See the article "Cooking Japanese Food Without Mirin" for detailed substitution methods.

Q3. Is instant dashi safe to use? Commercially available granulated and liquid dashi are convenient for quick meals on busy days. Alternating between homemade dashi from bonito flakes or kombu and instant dashi makes everyday cooking much easier.

Q4. What about expiration dates and storage? Soy sauce should be refrigerated after opening. Miso also keeps its flavor longer when stored in the refrigerator. Expiration dates for each product can be checked on the product page in the Farmi app.

Download the Farmi App

To stock up on Japanese seasonings in HCMC, the Farmi app is a convenient choice. Soy sauce, miso, curry roux, tsuyu, and other basic Japanese seasonings can all be ordered at once and delivered to your door in as fast as 1 hour.

Download the Farmi app and receive Japanese seasonings in as fast as 1 hour.

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