If you’re as crazy about authentic, spicy, Asian food like I am then you’ll love this post as it contains lots of beautiful Asian kitchenware items that every Asian-food-fanatic dreams of.
Whether you’ve eaten authentic street food in Thailand or the closest you’ve got is a eating ramen from an authentic Japanese ramen bowl at home you’ll love these quirky items for your kitchen as they’ll make you feel like you are right there in Asia!
Here are 11 of the top Asian kitchenware and gadgets available…
A Bamboo Steamer
A bamboo steamer is a beautiful and originally handcrafted device that allows you to cook rice, dumplings, vegetables and even meat like chicken (without microwaving it) through steam cooking without oil and whilst preserving nutrients.
You can choose to opt for the traditional bamboo made option or a modern metal equivalent depending on how authentic you want your Asian cooking to be.
And the great thing is you can cook multiple foods at the same time on the different levels of the steamer (typically there is 3) so you literally can cook your full meal of meat, rice (see the best rice pots) and veg.
These are very traditional in Asian households.
Here are some of the best Bamboo steamers…
Noodle Soup Bowls (Pho Bowls, Udon Bowls, Hot Pot Bowls and more)
I am literally addicted to eating Ramen and other noodle soups and I’m convinced I have more noodle bowls at home than are available in every household in the whole of Asia so for me it’s important to have different types of noodle bowls for the specific noodle soup I’m having.
Pho Bowls, Pho Soup Bowls and Other Noodle Soup Bowls
Pho is a Vietnamese noodle soup that is light and fragrant and served with thin rice noodles, leafy green vegetables, and meat and it’s one of my favourite Asian dishes.
The Important of using a Large Pho Bowl
Vietnamese noodle soup is best served in a Large Pho bowl so there’s no spillage over the side.
And of course every Asian soup bowl needs a specialist Asian soup spoon…
Chinese Soup Spoons
I love how dainty Chinese soup spoons are, they look like antiques or works of art and not just a cheap peace of metal that’s fit for shovelling food into out mouths like we seem to use in the West.
Here are some beautiful Chinese soup spoons…
And what would we do if we didn’t have chopsticks to eat the noodles from our soup with…
Chopsticks
I used to be in awe watching people eat with chopsticks and it blew my mind as a teenager watching someone eat noodles from their soup with chopsticks as it seemed like mission impossible for me at the time.
Now I’m a bit of a pro if you don’t mind be bragging but that’s only because I eat noodles about 27 times a week, lol!
And no Asian dish would be complete without rice and for that you need a special bowl…
Asian Rice Bowls
It’s funny how in the West we just eat everything from a standard plate or bowl and don’t have specialist ones for specific dishes where as in Asia each dish or type of food has it’s own plate or bowl.
And rice being such a huge staple in Asia requires its own bowl…
Ever eaten Chinese or Korean hotpot?
If you haven’t you’re missing out…
Asian Traditional Hotpot Cookers
Asian hotpot cookers give you lovely steamed meat and vegetables with a delicious sauce or broth which you can add your own spices and condiments too, it’s heaven.
Here’s some of the best Asian hotpot cookers…
Electric Hotpot Cooker
You can even find some great all in one electric hotpot cookers these days like the following that are perfect for small kitchens or single people…
And you’ll of course need a set of Asian knives to cut your meat and vegetables into tiny little slices just like they do in Asia..
Asian Knife Set
Asians are very particular about their knives with each country having different styles and sets of knives the most famous being Japanese knife sets and Chinese knife sets but each country has their own.
These are some of the best Asian knife sets available…
And of course no Asian cooking is complete without spices and herbs…
Spice and Herb Kits
Whilst not ALL Asian food is incredibly hot or spicy they certainly on the whole enjoy food that is rich in spices and flavours compared to the West.
There’s nothing better than the simple combination of chilli and Thai basil which makes up the main flavours of my favourite Thai dish “pad ka pow” (literally stir friend chilli and Thai basil with your meat of choice, sometimes thinly sliced vegetables, served over rice and with a fried egg on top which you can microwave and it’s delicious!).
You need a nice spice kit…
Ever had the joy of a Japanese bento box? Try one…
Japanese Bento Box
A Japanese bento box is a single portion meal with everything you need to feel happy and full, from meat, rice and pickled vegetables and they’ve become a trendy item in the West too which I love and they are a joy to eat and receive as a gift.
And do you enjoy tea?
Japanese green tea served in the traditional way from a Japanese Cast Iron teapot and poured into a Japanese tea cup set is a great experience and the tea tastes fantastic.
Japanese Tea Cup Set
I love all flavours of tea but green tea in particularly always tastes so fresh and healthy to me and absolutely love the slow, traditional, ritual of making a cup of Japanese tea to the point I had to buy my own tea set.
Here’s some of the best Japanese tea sets and other Japanese cookware sets available…
The Most Amazing and Authentic Asian Kitchenware and Gadgets
I really hope you’ve enjoyed my list of what I think are essential (and OK maybe I am obsessed and you don’t need all of them) authentic Asian kitchenware items and gadgets from noodle bowls (get a Pho bowl if anything I would say) and soup spoons to Asian knife sets and chopsticks to bento sets and Japanese tea cup sets and beyond.
Whatever you buy and eat with it, please enjoy!
Hi all! I’m Cora Benson, and I’ve been blogging about food, recipes and things that happen in my kitchen since 2019.