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Shopping at an online Asian grocery gives you access to products you rarely find in supermarkets, from frozen dim sum and tinned tropical fruit to Asian snacks, drinks and desserts from around the world. But an enticing photo and the word “traditional” aren’t enough to help you make an informed choice.
Misleading pack sizes, incomplete information and storage requirements can quickly turn a purchase into a disappointment. Here are the things to check before ordering Asian food products, whether you’re planning a family meal, a get-together with friends or a professional event.
A tin of fruit in syrup may look like it contains a generous amount, when some of the weight comes from the liquid. For example, a 565 g tin of Twin Elephants Whole Palm Fruit has a drained weight of around 230 g. So when comparing two tins of tropical fruit, check the net weight, drained weight and sugar content.
Frozen dim sum, prawn dumplings and frozen exotic fruit generally need to be stored at −18 °C or below. If your order arrives partially defrosted, don’t refreeze it. Also check whether the product needs to be cooked, steamed or simply defrosted before eating.
Claims such as “natural”, “traditional” or “additive-free” should always be checked against the ingredients list. Lavashak, for example, may contain sugar, syrup, acidity regulators or preservatives. Similarly, a prawn filling may also contain fish, soya, sesame or gluten.
The ingredients list helps you check how much of the highlighted ingredient a product actually contains. For prawn dumplings, compare the prawn content and look out for other sources of protein. TCT Siu Mai With Shrimp, for example, contains 25% prawns and 18.7% fish. The declared allergens are crustaceans, fish, soya, sesame and cereals containing gluten.
If you have an allergy, read the entire label, including any “may contain traces of” statement. You should also check the information on the product page against the packaging you receive, especially if the recipe may have changed.
A 500 g pack may be enough for a family meal, while a 1 kg pack is more suitable for a caterer or regular use. TCT Banana Leaf Shrimp Dumpling contains around 40 pieces weighing 25 g each. That’s useful when planning a buffet or working out portions.
For frozen exotic fruit, choose packaging that’s easy to reseal or a pack you can divide into portions. Frozen mango pieces work just as well in a smoothie as in a dessert or fruit salad, so there’s no need to defrost the whole pack.
Before opening, tinned products can generally be stored at room temperature. Once opened, transfer the contents to a suitable container, refrigerate and eat promptly. Twin Elephants Whole Palm Fruit, for example, recommends eating it within two days of opening.
For frozen products, check three things: the storage temperature, whether refreezing is prohibited and how to prepare them. A pre-cooked product isn’t necessarily ready to eat; some still need to be heated all the way through.
Why it suits this type of shopper : An easy-to-store tin, ideal for trying sugar palm fruit in a fruit salad, dessert or homemade drink.
The drained weight is listed separately from the total weight, making it easier to compare different tins fairly.
565 g per tin, 14.1 g of sugar per 100 g, and can be stored at room temperature before opening.
Why it suits this type of shopper : A portion of frozen durian for enthusiasts looking for a particular tropical fruit, complete with its natural flesh and seeds.
The product information specifies 100% durian flesh and notes that it contains seeds, which must not be swallowed.
300 g, with no added sugar or colourings listed in the ingredients; store at −18 °C.
Why it suits this type of shopper : This 1 kg pack is a good choice for large families, buffets, caterers and meals where you’ll need several portions.
The approximate number of pieces and storage instructions make it easier to gauge how much you’ll actually get.
Around 40 pieces weighing 25 g each, 28% prawns and steam-cooked. Remove the banana leaf before eating.
Why it suits this type of shopper : A ready-to-eat individual pack, perfect for trying lavashak during a break, as an afternoon snack or as part of a selection of snacks.
The ingredients clearly list sugar, maltose syrup, strawberry purée, pectin and acidity regulators.
105 g, individually wrapped portions and can be stored at room temperature before opening.
We’ve put together a comprehensive list, updated in real time, of products that meet these exacting selection criteria and European safety standards.
Choose a seller that clearly explains its delivery and transport conditions, and check the parcel as soon as it arrives. The products should still be sufficiently cold and should be put back in the freezer promptly. If they’ve defrosted significantly, contact customer services before eating them.
It depends on the pack size, origin, transport and storage method. To compare prices fairly, work out the cost per kilogram or per portion. For tinned products, take the drained weight into account; for frozen dim sum, check the number of pieces.
Follow the label instructions. Dry products such as lavashak should be stored in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Tinned fruit should be refrigerated after opening. Frozen products should be kept at −18 °C or below and must not be refrozen after defrosting.