Fermented Seasoning Starter Set: Buy Online in HCMC

Want to start cooking Japanese food in Ho Chi Minh City but not sure what to buy? A basic set of four fermented seasonings is the perfect place to begin. Soy sauce, miso, mirin, and rice vinegar: with these four, you can make miso soup, teriyaki, simmered dishes, vinegared sides, and more. Order through the Farmi app for cold-chain delivery in as fast as one hour.

What Are Fermented Seasonings

Soy sauce, miso, mirin, and rice vinegar are all traditional Japanese seasonings produced through fermentation. Microorganisms break down and mature the raw ingredients, creating deep umami and complex flavors. Three of the five pillars of Japanese seasoning (vinegar, soy sauce, and miso) are fermented, forming the backbone of Japanese cuisine.

For anyone looking to start Japanese cooking in HCMC, these four items cover the essentials. Miso soup, nikujaga (meat and potato stew), teriyaki, vinegared salads, simmered dishes, stir-fries: your everyday meals will take on authentic Japanese flavor.

The Four Seasonings in the Set

Soy Sauce (Shoyu)

Made by fermenting soybeans and wheat with koji mold, soy sauce is the most fundamental seasoning in Japanese cooking. It appears in virtually every simmered dish, grilled dish, dressed salad, and dipping sauce. Vietnam also has soy sauce (nuoc tuong), but Japanese soy sauce has a distinctive aroma and mellow character thanks to wheat koji.

Miso

Miso is a paste seasoning made by fermenting soybeans with koji and salt. Varieties include white miso, red miso, and mixed (awase) miso, but awase miso is the most versatile choice for beginners. Beyond miso soup, miso works beautifully as a marinade for grilling and as a dipping sauce.

Mirin

Mirin is a sweet seasoning fermented from glutinous rice that adds a gentle sweetness and glossy finish to dishes. It is essential for teriyaki, simmered dishes, and tamagoyaki (rolled omelet). Unlike sugar, mirin neutralizes unwanted odors while imparting an elegant sweetness.

Rice Vinegar

Fermented rice vinegar is the standard vinegar in Japanese cuisine. It is used for vinegared salads (sunomono), sushi vinegar, and nanban-zuke (marinated fried fish). Its clean, refreshing acidity stimulates the appetite, especially welcome in HCMC's hot climate.

Why Buy as a Set

• Balanced flavors : Japanese recipes combine soy sauce, mirin, vinegar, and miso together. A curated set ensures compatible brands, reducing the risk of mismatched flavors
• No guesswork for beginners : Not sure what to buy? These four items let you start cooking right away
• Right-sized for the climate : Portions are calculated so you can use them up before quality degrades in HCMC's heat
• Save time : One order covers all your essential seasonings, no need to open the app multiple times

Recommended Recipes with These Four

Teriyaki Chicken

Simply mix soy sauce and mirin at a 1:1 ratio and pan-fry chicken with the sauce. The sweet-savory glaze is irresistible. Chicken thighs available in Vietnam work perfectly.

Basic Miso Soup

Simply dissolve miso into dashi broth and add your favorite ingredients such as tofu, wakame seaweed, and green onion. You can also get creative with morning glory or pumpkin, which are easy to find in HCMC.

Cucumber Sunomono

Combine vinegar, soy sauce, and sugar into a sweet vinegar dressing and toss with sliced cucumber. A refreshing side dish, perfect for hot days.

Ginger Pork (Shogayaki)

Mix soy sauce, mirin, and grated ginger for the marinade, marinate pork slices, and pan-fry. A beloved everyday dish that pairs perfectly with steamed rice.

Storage Tips for HCMC's Climate

HCMC is hot and humid year-round. Fermented seasonings left at room temperature may over-ferment or lose flavor. Follow these storage guidelines to keep them fresh longer.

• Soy sauce : Refrigerate after opening. Oxidation darkens the color and weakens the flavor, so try to use it within 1 to 2 months
• Miso : Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface and refrigerate. For long-term storage, use the freezer (high salt content prevents it from freezing solid, so you can use it right away)
• Mirin : Refrigerate after opening. The sugars may crystallize, but this does not affect quality
• Vinegar : Vinegar naturally resists spoilage, but in HCMC's heat, refrigerating after opening gives extra peace of mind

Farmi Quality and Delivery

• Cold-chain delivery : Temperature-controlled delivery from order to doorstep, in as fast as 1 hour
• Japanese-quality products : Carefully selected fermented seasonings from trusted manufacturers
• Japanese-language support : Both the app and customer support are available in Japanese
• All of HCMC : Delivery to your home or office anywhere within HCMC

Download the Farmi app and start your Japanese cooking journey with the fermented seasoning starter set.

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