chinese food ingredients

[stevehaigh]

i'm trying to make something that requires Sichuan bean sauce. i don't see it in villa market. is there any place that might have more Chinese food ingredients?

its also know as Dou Ban Jiang 辣豆瓣酱 (Chile Bean Sauce). maybe there's something similar in Thai.

Edited May 5, 2014 by stevehaigh

[Jingthing]

No, you will not find actual Sechuan broad bean paste in Thailand. ANYWHERE.

Or even Lee Kum brand fermented soybean paste (DOUBAN) which is an OK substitute. Not sold in Thailand

The best you might do is using Lee Kum Guilin chili paste and/or Kitchen 88 Shanghai Chili paste (made in Thailand) which you might find locally.

These are not great substitutes but that's the situation.

Also good luck finding any Sechuan chili peppers in Thailand that have any freshness to them.

Here is another idea to make it yourself using KOREAN fermented soybean paste which you can get in Thailand:

http://www.food-worlds.com/recipes/sichuan-chili-paste/

Using the Korean style alone would taste ... KOREAN.

Frankly, once you've cooked with the REAL DEAL which is actual Sechuan fermented bean paste with BROAD BEANS (not soybeans) it's hard to love anything less. But again, you won't find in Thailand. A good thing to import yourself.

The real stuff, broad bean:

http://www.amazon.com/Sichuan-Pixian-Xian-Broad-Paste/dp/B00A9OF6NS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1399280688&sr=8-2&keywords=Sichuan

A common substitute using soybeans, acceptable:

http://www.amazon.com/Chili-Bean-Sauce-Toban-Djan/dp/B0001WOSQY/ref=pd_sbs_gro_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=0Q0N4Y8BJ759AX8BARWM

Not sold in Thailand. Craziness!

Edited May 5, 2014 by Jingthing

[stevehaigh]

thanks for the info and the link. looks like i need to spend $35 to get the free shipping. i'll see what else looks good.

for tonight i'll try make my own if i can find soy bean paste

thanks.

Edited May 5, 2014 by stevehaigh

[Jingthing]

My info is you can't even buy this stuff in Bangkok Chinatown.

Suggest you order good Sechuan peppercorns as well which of course actually aren't peppers.

To prepare you need to dry heat them and then grind up (see the internets).

Edited May 5, 2014 by Jingthing

[stevehaigh]

thanks, it seems you know your chinese food.

i'm in the process of making my own version from that link you sent me. smells and looks great so far. i had Sechuan fish soup in China town in Melbourne a couple of weeks ago and just jonesing for it now