Essential Pantry Seasonings

Soy Sauces

Light Soy Sauce
Salty, balanced flavor. The most-used all-purpose seasoning for stir-fry, marinades and dipping sauce.
Dark Soy Sauce
Less salty. Primarily used to give dishes a deep, glossy brown color for braised food.

Vinegars

Chinese Black Vinegar (Chinkiang Vinegar)
Mild, earthy tang. Ideal for dumpling sauce, cold salads and noodles.
Rice Vinegar
Light, clean sour taste, widely used in sweet & sour dishes.
Other Core Seasonings
Oyster Sauce: Rich umami flavor for stir-fries
Sesame Oil: Add at the end of cooking for aroma, do not heat-fry
Sichuan Peppercorn: Creates signature numbing, spicy sensation for Sichuan food
Five-Spice Powder: Warm, aromatic blend for braised meats.