Joybuy Insights

Asian food products: buying guide and practical selection for cooking at home

Buying Asian food products online makes it easier to prepare Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese or Chinese recipes. However, it can be difficult to choose between the many options available: an attractive photo or the word “authentic” does not necessarily guarantee that a product is right for you.

Before filling your Asian grocery basket, there are three pitfalls to avoid.

  • The wrong format: a family-size pack may be impractical for one person, while a small packet can quickly become expensive for a family or professional kitchen.
  • Incomplete information: allergens, storage conditions and preparation instructions should be checked, particularly for products containing wheat, soya, fish, shellfish or sesame.
  • Confusing a ready-to-eat product with something that needs cooking: a chilled onigiri, instant noodles and a tteokbokki kit are not stored or prepared in the same way.

Criteria to check before buying

1. Format and storage method

Start by considering how you intend to use the product: a quick lunch at work, family cooking, a snack to take with you or regular supplies for catering. Formats of 70 to 125 g are generally suitable for one serving. Packets of 400 to 500 g offer better value for recipes prepared regularly, such as spring rolls, soups or rice noodle dishes.

Also check the storage temperature. Some foods can be kept at room temperature, while Freshasia onigiri must be stored between 0 and 4 °C. Frozen products, such as Kimchi Onigiri, must be kept at −18 °C or below and must never be refrozen after thawing.

2. Ingredients and allergens

It is better to read the ingredients list than to rely solely on the product name. A sauce may contain soya, wheat or sesame, while a snack marketed as light may contain a significant amount of sugar or salt.

For people with allergies or intolerances, the highlighted information on the label is essential. MAMA prawn-flavour noodles contain wheat, soya, fish and shellfish. The Bento snack contains fish, shellfish and wheat, and may also contain traces of peanuts. Always check this information on the packaging you receive, as recipes and packaging may change.

3. Texture and expected preparation

Texture has a direct impact on the final result. Rice paper sheets should be rehydrated for a few seconds in lukewarm water before being filled. Thick rice noodles are ideal for soups, stir-fries or phở, while udon offer a softer and particularly substantial texture.

For instant preparations, check the cooking time and the amount of seasoning required. With Japanese curry blocks, you need to add vegetables, meat or a plant-based alternative, as well as water. A tteokbokki kit already contains the rice cakes and seasoning mix, but its allergens should be checked before you start cooking.

Which selection is right for you?

The products below cover a range of uses: quick meals, Vietnamese cooking, Japanese specialities and Korean products. The nutritional information and storage conditions correspond to the products shown; always check the label of the item you receive.

Recommended for : Beginners on a budget
Bamboo Tree Rice Paper Summer Roll Square 22 cm, 400g

Bamboo Tree Rice Paper Summer Roll Square 22 cm, 400g

Why this choice suits this profile : With its 22 cm square sheets and 400 g pack size, this packet is a great way to get started with spring rolls and prepare several batches without taking up too much cupboard space.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The instructions specify that the sheets must be rehydrated for a few seconds in lukewarm water, so they cannot be mistaken for a ready-to-use product.

Main benefit and key features

A short ingredients list based on tapioca starch, water, rice and salt; a 400 g pack; no declared allergens.

Recommended for : Premium-food enthusiasts
S&B Golden Curry Sauce Mix, Mild, No Meat Included, 220g

S&B Golden Curry Sauce Mix, Mild, No Meat Included, 220g

Why this choice suits this profile : This easy-to-portion mix lets you prepare Japanese curry at home, choosing your own meat, vegetables or plant-based alternative to add.

How this product avoids the pitfall

This is not a complete meal: the product information states that you need to add around 500 g of meat and vegetables, as well as 700 ml of water.

Main benefit and key features

A 220 g pack; detailed preparation instructions; a mild recipe according to the product information; no meat included, making it easy to customise the dish.

Recommended for : Specific uses and frequent users
J.B. Rice Paper 1/4 Ø 31cm - 500g

J.B. Rice Paper 1/4 Ø 31cm - 500g

Why this choice suits this profile : With its 500 g pack size and 31 cm diameter, this format is suitable for kitchens that regularly prepare rolls, wraps or Vietnamese specialities.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The diameter and weight are clearly stated, so you can check that the rice papers suit your work surface and the quantity you plan to prepare.

Main benefit and key features

According to the product information, the ingredients contain 47 % tapioca and 40 % rice flour; the product can be stored at room temperature in a dry place; no declared allergens.

Recommended for : Quick meals and meals on the go
Yopokki Hot and Spicy Tteokbokki Pack 120g

Yopokki Hot and Spicy Tteokbokki Pack 120g

Why this choice suits this profile : This 120 g Korean kit makes it easy to enjoy the spirit of street food at home, whether after lessons or a day at work.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The kit clearly separates the rice cakes from the seasoning; the presence of milk, soya, wheat, tomato, chicken and molluscs is indicated.

Main benefit and key features

Rice cakes made with 99.1 % rice; an individual serving size; preparation designed to achieve the characteristic soft texture of this Korean dish.

Looking for more options ?

We have put together a complete selection, updated in real time, of products that meet these exacting criteria and comply with European safety regulations.

Complete your Asian grocery basket

To expand your options, several product categories can be combined in a single order:

  • Instant noodles: MAMA prawn noodles or Indomie Mi Goreng are ideal for a quick meal. Remember to check their salt content and allergens.
  • Asian sauces and condiments: Mont Asie Sriracha works just as well with noodles and rice as it does with stir-fried dishes. Its product information states that it contains 55 % red chilli and 5 % garlic.
  • Rice noodles: Gia Bao’s 500 g packet is suitable for phở, hủ tiếu, pad thai and stir-fried dishes.
  • Asian snacks: five-spice dried tofu, Kopiko coffee sweets, Glico biscuits or Bento squid snacks are easy to slip into a bag.
  • Japanese and Korean specialities: Japanese curry, onigiri and tteokbokki make it easy to cook or quickly heat up iconic recipes.

Frequently asked questions about Asian food products

How long do they keep after opening?

It depends on the category. Dry products should be stored in a cool, dry place and carefully resealed after each use. A chilled onigiri should generally be eaten within 24 hours of opening, in accordance with the information provided for that product. For each item, the best-before date and instructions on the packaging should be followed.

Do instant noodles make a complete meal?

They provide a starchy base and seasoning, but their ingredients vary from one recipe to another. For a more balanced and filling meal, add vegetables, an egg or a source of protein, while remembering to take allergens and salt content into account.

How do you choose between rice paper and rice noodles?

Rice paper sheets are rehydrated before being used to wrap a filling. Rice noodles are cooked or rehydrated to accompany soups, salads and stir-fries. The right choice therefore depends on the recipe and the texture you are looking for.