Kitchen buying guides
Start with a dish to choose seasonings and ingredients
Broth bases, seasoning foundations and additional ingredients each have a different role.
Choosing by dish makes kitchen requirements clearer than looking only at seasoning names. Hot pot needs a broth and ingredients such as tofu or glass noodles; fried chicken may need a coating and dip. Doubanjiang can be used in several Sichuan dishes, with different quantities and methods.
When browsing, decide what you intend to cook, then distinguish cooking bases, essential sauces and accompanying ingredients. Choose prepared dishes by menu use too, and check their preparation state and instructions instead of assuming a method from the product name.
After shortlisting products, give the kitchen the chef card together with ingredients and allergen information, then trial them against your actual menu. Confirm ingredients, flavour and portions before comparing purchasing specifications and bulk quotations.