Unlike grocery-store teriyaki sauces that include artificial preservatives or sweeteners, Bachan's uses only fresh, natural ingredients in its Original Japanese Barbecue Sauce. Authentic Japanese shoyu—soy sauce made with wheat—provides an umami flavor base, while cane sugar and mirin add the signature complementary sweetness. Bachan's also layers green onion, ginger and garlic, which add aromatic complexity and ground the sauce in earthy, savory notes. In a nod to Western barbecue sauce, the secret recipe also includes tomato paste, which adds a nuanced, natural fruitiness and thickens the sauce. Unlike grocery-store teriyaki sauces that include artificial preservatives or sweeteners, Bachan's uses only fresh, natural ingredients in its Original Japanese Barbecue Sauce. Authentic Japanese shoyu—soy sauce made with wheat—provides an umami flavor base, while cane sugar and mirin add the signature complementary sweetness. Bachan's also layers green onion, ginger and garlic, which add aromatic complexity and ground the sauce in earthy, savory notes. In a nod to Western barbecue sauce, the secret recipe also includes tomato paste, which adds a nuanced, natural fruitiness and thickens the sauce.

This traditional Japanese shoyu is less salty than supermarket brands yet still full of concentrated flavor and balanced with caramelized sweet notes. It's ideal for dipping and adds robust umami depth to recipes.

This hot chocolate has only a few raw ingredients, yet the beverage has a wonderful depth and warmth, as well as a complex flavor: creamy, nutty and perfectly balanced between bitter and sweet. The addition of ground almonds makes for a silkier, buttery mouthfeel, especially if you whisk the milk constantly while heating it; this allows the nutty aroma of the almonds to permeate the drink for a richer sensation and fullness of flavor. And cinnamon, a defining feature of Mexican hot chocolate, is an ideal complement for cacao's bitter undertones, as its spicy aroma brightens hot chocolate while its floral accents match those in the drink. We also like how the warming spice cuts through the creamy milk so the drink is satisfying but not overly rich. We found this chocolate to a fragrant finish that is slightly reminiscent of coconut.

Chopsticks come in all shapes, sizes and materials, These vibrantly colored, durably fashioned chopsticks from Japan are just the right length and width for most anything. We use them beyond the dinner table for stirring drinks, stirring batters and frying delicate items. Take note: The chopsticks come in a six-piece set.

Too many supermarket hoisin sauces come across as cloying—usually candy-sweet with an occasional aftertaste of unpleasant chemical bitterness. Tan Tan’s version of the classic Chinese fermented soybean condiment, however, yields the perfect balance of sweet, earthy and savory notes with an addictive umami core that adds even more depth. An elegant hint of anise floats in and adds aromatic, nuanced complexity, while garlic grounds the sauce without overwhelming its other flavors. It’s texture is satisfyingly syrupy, not too molasses-thick like some brands, and it’s made with no preservatives from a family recipe—the epitome of an elevated pantry essential.

Most people only know Ibérico pork for jamón ibérico, the ultra-luxe Spanish cured ham, but the melt-in-your-mouth meat tastes delicious in any form. For the highest-quality Ibérico products, we trust family company Fermín, which is based in Salamanca, Spain, and was the first authorized exporter of Ibérico products to the United States. We love that these dry-cured sausages are coarsely ground for a meatier texture and to emphasize their marbled appearance. Thinly sliced, they taste tender and rich, with the naturally nutty and sweet flavors that Ibérico pork is prized for. This set of 3 includes warm, peppery Mild Chorizo made with sweet paprika and balanced by garlic and oregano; smoky Spicy Chorizo with hot paprika, cumin and a nutty boost from nutmeg; and Salchichón, a Spanish equivalent of salami that is minimally spiced to highlight its robust meaty flavor. As an added bonus, Fermín only uses pure salt to cure its chorizo, for a cleaner flavor than other brands made with nitrates.

Literally translated as “top of the shop,” this Ras El Hanout is a warm, complex, savory North African spice blend that can be a go-to rub for chicken, grilling, or simply mixed with Greek yogurt or softened butter. Every pantry should have a jar. Key ingredients in this blend include saffron, rose petals, grains of paradise, fennel seeds, monk pepper, galangal, orris root, white peppercorns, anise star, lavender, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, cardamom and allspice.

This inky black, syrupy “molasses” is made from concentrated black garlic, which is garlic fermented long enough to render the cloves tender, mellow, earthy-sweet and utterly addictive. It's reminiscent of concentrated balsamic vinegar, without the acidic tang.

With deeply aromatic, rich, and toasty undertones, this sesame condiment can be used in both sweet and savory applications. It is ideal for adding some earthy depth to dishes, with a subtle pleasant bitterness that you can't get with white sesame seeds. Many Asian cultures use black sesame for desserts, with good reason—its slight bitterness cuts through rich dairy and balances bitter with sweet like no other. We like to substitute black sesame paste for tahini in our Tahini Swirl Brownies—if you like the bitter sweetness of dark chocolate, you'll love the roasted element black sesame paste brings to this dessert. Or simply drizzle Wadaman's Black Sesame Paste over vanilla ice cream for a visually stunning Japanese-inspired dessert. On the savory side, try a drizzle of the paste over our Sumac-Spiced Chicken (Musakhan) for visual contrast and an earthy counterpoint to sumac's citrusy tartness. Or add it to our Chinese Chili and Scallion Noodles to complement the sesame oil and add another dimension of flavor. Or substitute black sesame paste for tahini to make a roasty, earthier version of our Pita and Chickpea Salad with Yogurt and Mint (Fatteh).

Kayanoya's Dashi Stock Powder is the best version of this essential Japanese ingredient. In addition to the traditional bonito flakes, the powdered soup stock gets layers of savory complexity from sardines, herring and roasted flying fish for a meaty-rich flavor and delicate aroma like smoked fish. And unlike many store-bought versions, it's not overly “fishy” or salty.

In addition to miso soup and other Japanese applications, use it to make seafood paella, soups and stews for a smokier, more refined flavor than fish stock.

Kayanoya’s stock packets are designed much like tea bags and can be used in two ways: For a clear broth, place the stock packet intact in a pot of water; for a stronger, cloudy broth, tear the packet open and add the powder directly to the water. Either way, in just a few minutes the easy-to-use packets yield complex stock that tastes homemade.

• Product Includes: Five 8-gram packets8-gram packets
• Ingredients: Raw flavor materials (dried bonito flakes, dried sardine extract powder, roasted flying fish, dried round herring flakes, kelp), starch hydrolysate, yeast extract, salt, soy sauce powder, fermented seasoning (soy, wheat, vegetable starch, brewer’s yeast)
• Place of Origin: Japan

We love the complex, mouth-numbing quality of floral, piney Sichuan peppercorns, but their aromatic compounds are notoriously short-lived, so store-bought dried versions are often stale and flavorless. Like a bold wine that needs a bit of time to breathe, Green Sichuan Pepper Oil has powerful resinous aromas and earthy, funky notes that some might find daunting when the bottle is first opened. No need to worry: With a bit of air, that intensity mellows and softens, and the oil's complex crushed-pine aroma comes through, along with floral-citrusy notes.

This sampler pack of thin-sliced Ibérico meats includes classic Jamón Ibérico ham as well as Lomo Ibérico, dry-cured pork loin. Similar to prosciutto but with a drier texture—which actually makes it less stringy and tough—Jamón Ibérico's high fat content yields a sweet, decadent and intensely aromatic flavor. And slightly leaner Lomo Ibérico is nutty and meaty, with a touch of sweetness; smoky pimentón de la Vera (a type of Spanish paprika) and earthy garlic enhance the pork's savory flavor, which is best served at room temperature to fully savor its complexity. Adhering to tradition, these artisanal meats are dry-cured in mountain air with only salt as a preservative during the curing process; a ham master decides by smell, sight and touch when the pork is perfectly done.

Rose water is the aromatic, subtly perfumed essence that defines the flavor of many of the baked goods of the Middle East; it has the remarkable capacity to cut through saccharine sweetness. We like that Mymouné's product tastes clearly like rose and has a natural, not chemical, flavor, so it isn't perfumey like supermarket versions.

Haku Black Garlic Shoyu is a sweet, salty, and umami soy sauce with complex aromas of earthy must. Brewed with wheat, shoyu has a sweeter, rounder flavor than other types of soy sauce, and black garlic imparts hints of fig, raisin, molasses that complement this shoyu’s subtle sweetness. Black garlic shoyu is often used in Japan as a finishing shoyu or as a stand-alone ingredient.

One of the trickier aspects of making homemade kimchi is getting the right balance of flavors. That's why we were happy to discover Mama's O's Vegan Kimchi Paste, a ready-to-use ingredient unlike anything else on the market—all you need is a head of napa cabbage (or other vegetable) and water. Company founder Kheedim Oh says it best: “All the mixing, measuring, juicing, grinding, chopping and shopping are already done in the jar.” The paste is balanced between savory, salty and spicy flavors and great for more than making kimchi. Use it to marinate meat, season stir-fries or flavor soups.

How to make napa cabbage kimchi:

Make a brine using 1 tablespoon salt per 1 cup water. Chop napa cabbage into 1.25-inch pieces. Submerge in the salt brine and let sit at room temperature overnight (about 8 hours). Drain and rinse well. For about 1 pound of cabbage, use ¼ cup paste and ¼ cup water. Mix well (we recommend using a gloved hand). Transfer to the jar, packing tightly. Cover, ideally with cheese cloth to allow gas to escape, or with a non-airtight lid. Let sit at room temperature for 2 days, or until pickled to your preference. Vent occasionally to release built-up pressure; optionally, place on a plate to catch drips. (Any fermented product will leak through lids as pressure builds.)

• Net Weight: 6 ounces
• Ingredients: Red pepper flakes, garlic, ginger, sugar, lime juice, water, salt

With a name that means “pickled” in Hindi, achaar is a staple Indian condiment that adds a fiery, tangy accent to any meal. New York-based company Brooklyn Delhi uses fresh, local produce in its award-winning achaars, which are prepared in small batches by founder and chef Chitra Agrawal. 

Robust, savory-sweet Tomato Achaar features bright tomato fruit enhanced with tart tamarind, earthy garlic and nutty sesame oil, for a subtly spiced, well-rounded sauce with just the right amount of tang. The achaar's mild heat level and smooth consistency make it an easy, complexly flavored substitute for tomato paste in soups and sauces—if you don't use it all for dipping. 

And even those averse to raw garlic will love Roasted Garlic Achaar, which showcases the caramelized, mellow qualities of roasted garlic. The sauce has spicy-sweet notes up front, followed by an aromatic lemony tang and lingering mustard pungency. We love Roasted Garlic Achaar whipped into mayonnaise and smeared on sandwiches, or use it as a softer alternative to minced garlic or shallot in salad dressings.

• Net Weight: 9 ounces
• Ingredients: Tomato Achaar: locally grown tomatoes, sesame oil, expeller pressed canola oil, garlic, salt, red chili powder, tamarind, spices (black mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, turmeric, asafetida), unrefined sugar cane | Roasted Garlic Achaar: roasted garlic, lemon, non-GMO canola oil, salt, red chili powder, spices (black mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, turmeric), unrefined sugar cane

This honey mustard from one of France's leading brands is a welcome change from the overly sweet supermarket varieties completely lacking in mustard character. Bornibus Honey Mustard has a touch of sweetness from honey but leans savory overall, with a deep, rich mustard flavor that's mild enough to be universally appealing, even for those who don't like spice—plus, we guarantee you'll love its incredibly smooth texture.

• Net Weight: 250 grams
• Ingredients: Water, mustard seeds, spirit vinegar, salt, citric acid, potassium metabisulphite (as preservative)
• Place of Origin: France

This small, gorgeous cast-iron griddle set from Japan is just the pan to sear scallops, a few jumbo shrimp, filet mignon or asparagus. The thin yet sturdy construction heats up quickly—over any burner or grill--and holds its heat well. The textured surface prevents foodstuffs from sticking. With its hardwood base, the griddle can easily be brought to the table and used as much as a hot plate as a cooking pan. We’ll heat it and fill it with appetizers like warm, spiced nuts or baked feta drizzled with fruity olive oil, herbs and pepper flakes. The ingenious handle removes easily for serving and storage.