The best gifts for someone who loves cooking Asian food are the tools that make home cooking taste like the restaurant version: a carbon-steel wok (affiliate link, opens in a new tab), a good rice cooker (affiliate link, opens in a new tab) or a bamboo steamer. For smaller budgets, matcha sets, sushi kits and snack boxes go down well with almost anyone.
We've grouped the ideas below by budget. Most link to a search on Amazon UK so you can compare sizes and prices; where we name a specific product, it's a popular, long-reviewed choice rather than something we've tested ourselves. Each gift also has one of our guides to go with it, which makes a nice thing to print and tuck inside the box.
Stocking fillers
Small, fun and useful straight away.
- Chopsticks gift setReusable chopsticks with rests: a classic small present.See options on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
- Japanese snack boxRice crackers, chocolate biscuits and sweets to try together.See options on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
- Matcha whisk setBamboo whisk, scoop and bowl for anyone getting into matcha. Pair it with our matcha guide.See options on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
- Sushi making kitRolling mats and tools for a sushi night in; see how to make sushi at home.See options on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
- Bamboo steamerCheap, useful and lasts for years if dried properly.See options on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. It never affects which shops we list. How we make money.
Mid-range gifts
Kit that makes a noticeable difference to everyday cooking.
- Carbon steel wok: Souped Up Recipes flat-bottomed carbon steel wokA flat-bottomed carbon-steel wok that works on electric, induction and gas, with a lid and spatula. Popular choice on Amazon UK; we haven't tested it ourselves.View on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
- Ramen bowl setBig, deep bowls with chopsticks and spoons for noodle nights.See options on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
- Japanese tea setA teapot and cups for green tea; a calm, grown-up present.See options on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
- Bento boxFor anyone who takes lunch to work or school.See options on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
- Granite mortar and pestleFor curry pastes and nước chấm; heavy, so it stays put while you pound.See options on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
- Korean BBQ grill panFor barbecue at the table; see Korean BBQ at home.See options on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. It never affects which shops we list. How we make money.
Big gifts
Bigger-ticket kit for keen cooks or a shared household present.
- Rice cooker: Yum Asia Panda Mini fuzzy logic rice cookerA fuzzy logic rice cooker that adjusts to different types of rice. Popular choice on Amazon UK; we haven't tested it ourselves.View on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
- Carbon steel wok: Craft Wok hand-hammered carbon steel wokA traditional hand-hammered wok for keen stir-fryers; check the base suits their hob. Popular choice on Amazon UK; we haven't tested it ourselves.View on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
- Divided hot pot: Food Party electric hot pot with dividerAn electric hot pot with a divider, so it needs no separate hob. See hot pot at home. Popular choice on Amazon UK; we haven't tested it ourselves.View on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
- Portable induction hob: Tefal Everyday portable induction hobA portable induction hob for hot pot and barbecue at the table, or an extra ring. Popular choice on Amazon UK; we haven't tested it ourselves.View on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. It never affects which shops we list. How we make money.
Gift an experience: a trip to an Asian supermarket
For someone who already has the kit, a guided shop can be the best present: a trip to a big Asian supermarket with a shopping list for one of their favourite dishes. Our store directory finds the nearest shops, and the first-timer's shopping tips explain what to look for. In bigger cities, try a Chinatown with several shops close together, such as London, Manchester or Birmingham.
When to order
- Order bigger items early: rice cookers, woks and hot pots sell out of popular sizes in December.
- Check the delivery date on each listing before you order; some kits ship from overseas and take longer.
- Keep the receipt and check the returns window, especially for electrical items.