Buyers guides

Tean’s Gourmet or Prima Taste are the laksa pastes most UK shoppers can find, and a reliable shortcut to a

Miracle Noodle and Youtiao brands are the most consistently stocked shirataki noodles in the UK, sold online and in some

Gekkeikan or Hakutsuru are reliable everyday sakes, sold in most UK supermarkets and fine for both cooking and drinking. Sake

A simple two-tier stackable bento box is the easiest all-rounder, keeping rice, protein and vegetables separate without extra containers. A

A simple adjustable Japanese-style mandoline is the easiest way to get consistently thin, even slices for stir-fries and pickles. A

Kishibori or Kayanoya kombu are widely available online, and a solid choice for a clean, reliable dashi. Kombu is dried

Lao Gan Ma is the chilli crisp most UK shoppers reach for first, and a reliable everyday jar of crunchy,

Lee Kum Kee Black Bean Garlic Sauce is the jar most UK supermarkets stock, and a solid everyday choice for

Bart Chinese Five Spice is a reliable everyday jar and one of the easiest to find in UK supermarkets. Five

Shimaya Dashi-no-moto is the granule sold through most Japanese grocers in the UK, and an easy way to make dashi