Asian kitchen essentials
You can cook most Asian dishes with ordinary pans, but a few pieces of kit make a real difference. Start with a wok and, if you eat rice often, a rice cooker. Everything else depends on what you like to cook, and each section links to our guide for that kind of cooking.
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Popular choices are well-reviewed products with a long track record on Amazon UK; we haven’t tested them ourselves. Our guides explain how to stir-fry at home and how to cook perfect rice.
Carbon steel wok
Carbon steel heats fast and becomes non-stick once seasoned. Match the base to your hob: flat for electric and induction.
- Popular choiceSouped Up Recipes flat-bottomed carbon steel wokListed for electric, induction and gas hobs, and comes with a lid and spatula.View on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
- Popular choiceCraft Wok hand-hammered carbon steel wokA traditional hand-hammered pow wok with a helper handle; check the listing for the base that suits your hob.View on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
Compare more carbon steel wok options (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
Rice cooker
If you eat rice most days, a rice cooker pays for itself in consistent rice and one less pan to watch.
- Popular choiceMorphy Richards 1.5 litre rice cookerA simple, compact cooker with keep-warm: plenty for one to four people.View on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
- Popular choiceYum Asia Panda Mini fuzzy logic rice cookerFuzzy logic adjusts the cooking for different rice types; a favourite for Japanese and Korean short-grain rice.View on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
Compare more rice cooker options (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
Steaming and dumplings
A bamboo steamer is the most useful cheap upgrade in an Asian kitchen: dumplings, bao, fish and vegetables.
- Two-tier bamboo steamer (25 cm)Fits most woks and large pans; two tiers cook a full batch.See options on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
- Perforated steamer linersStop dumplings and bao sticking without blocking the steam.See options on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
- Steamer adapter ringLets a bamboo steamer sit safely on a saucepan.See options on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
- Dumpling rolling pinA small, thin pin rolls wrapper edges thinner than the centre.See options on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
Our guides: How to use a bamboo steamer · How to make dumplings · How to make bao buns
Prep: knives, pounding and temperature
Three tools that make curry pastes, chilli oil and fast stir-fry prep much easier.
- Chinese cleaverSlices meat thinly and scoops chopped vegetables straight into the wok.See options on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
- Granite mortar and pestlePounds lemongrass, chilli and garlic into a paste better than a blender for small amounts.See options on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
- Digital cooking thermometerTakes the guesswork out of oil temperature for chilli oil and frying.See options on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
Our guides: Thai curry pastes · How to make chilli oil
Japanese cooking
Small, inexpensive tools for sushi nights, miso soup and matcha.
- Bamboo sushi rolling matEven pressure for tight rolls; wrap it in cling film for inside-out rolls.See options on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
- Rice paddleFolds seasoning into sushi rice without crushing it.See options on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
- Miso strainerWhisks miso into soup without lumps.See options on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
- Matcha whisk setWhisk, scoop and bowl for smooth, lump-free matcha.See options on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
Our guides: How to make sushi at home · Matcha guide
Hot pot and Korean barbecue
For cooking at the table. Always use tabletop heat in a well-ventilated room.
Divided hot pot
A split pot lets spicy and mild eaters share one table. An electric one needs no separate hob.
- Popular choiceFood Party electric hot pot with dividerPlugs straight in, so there's no need for a portable hob.View on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
- Popular choiceDezin divided hot potA two-flavour pot for a tabletop hob; check the listing for hob compatibility.View on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
Compare more divided hot pot options (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
Portable induction hob
For hot pot and Korean barbecue at the table, or as an extra ring in a small or shared kitchen. Safer indoors than a gas burner.
- Popular choiceAMZCHEF single induction hobA slim, inexpensive single ring with plenty of power levels.View on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
- Popular choiceTefal Everyday portable induction hobA 2100 W single hob from an established kitchen brand.View on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
Compare more portable induction hob options (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
- Korean BBQ grill panRidged pans drain fat away while the meat chars.See options on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
- Hot pot strainer ladlesFish cooked food out of the broth without chasing it with chopsticks.See options on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
Our guides: Hot pot at home · Korean BBQ at home
Prefer to see it in person? Many Asian supermarkets sell woks, steamers and rice cookers too. Find a store near you.