There are many different types of prepared, pre-cooked, and frozen foods available in today's markets. I've listed some of the brands I've tried below (an asterisk * indicates gluten-free). Newest additions are highlighted. [Last updated on July 8, 2006] |
| Vegetable and meat dumplings | Chung Jun Won | ![[4 stars]](prepared_foods_4.gif){kind=small} |
These are the small, almost squarish dumplings that I often use; one of my husband's favorites. |
| Shrimp gyoza | JFC | |
Tasty, easy to prepare
(I prefer pan frying followed by steaming in the same pan)
– see Gyoza Tutorial for details. |
| Pork gyoza | JFC | ![[5 stars]](prepared_foods_5.gif){kind=small} |
One of my favorites. You can throw them into a hot frying pan straight from the freezer, and they'll be done in minutes. |
| Red bean buns | Chi Mei | ![[2 stars]](prepared_foods_2.gif){kind=small} |
These are ok if you heat them right (which means "ignore the manufacturer's instructions and microwave them for much less time"). |
| Shrimp shu mai | Ajinomoto | ![[3 stars]](prepared_foods_3.gif){kind=small} |
Not my favorite, but pretty good. Also very easy to prepare in the microwave. |
| Pork and vegetable buns | Kimbo | ![[1 star]](prepared_foods_1.gif){kind=small} |
The steamed bun part was pretty good, but the filling was a bad tasting little hockey puck! |
| Shrimp har gao and shrimp shu mai |
Trader Ming's | |
Trader Joe's does not often fail me, but it totally did on this one. I tried to make these in the microwave per the instructions, and they came out AWFUL! I have another box, so I will try another cooking method next time (and maybe change my rating). |
| Yakisoba (fresh yaki-soba noodles with seasoning sauce base) |
Maruchan's | |
I love these. I get them in the 'fresh' section of my Asian market and stick them into the freezer when I get home. The noodles and sauce packets are individually portioned, so I just pull out what I need the night before to defrost in the fridge. |
| Udon soup (jumbo nama udon with soup base) |
Yamasho | |
Surprisingly good! I like to add steamed veggies, some fish cake, and a hard-boiled egg to make it a real meal. I also find this in the 'fresh' section of my Asian market, and I keep it in the freezer until I need it. |
| Kung pao noodles | Simply Asia | |
Not bad for a box mix! Just add some extra veggies and some protein to kick it up a notch. |
| Pad thai with shrimp | Neisha | |
Sooo good for a microwave meal. I like to add fresh scallions, lime, and peanuts to enhance the flavors. The only bad thing is that one package really serves 1, not 2. |
| Chow mein noodles | Fuji Men | |
This just wasn't that good. |
| Lemongrass-chili noodles* | Thai Kitchen | |
The hubs loves this one. "I could eat it every day," he says. Very quick preparation as well. |
| Kung pao chicken with rice | Trader Ming's | |
Very good, easy to prepare. It really is 1 large serving, and does not make even 2 bento servings. |
| Mandarin orange chicken | Trader Ming's | |
Pan-frying makes it crispier and tastier than if you make it in the oven. The sauce is delectable. Just serve with rice and steamed broccoli for a fantastic meal. One package is enough for 4 to 5 servings. |
| Tuna in yellow curry sauce* | Trader Joe's | |
We loved this! The curry (which also has potatoes in it) comes in a pouch and only needs to be microwaved. I tucked it inside some onigiri and it was excellent! |
| Sweet and sour shrimp with rice | Trader Joe's | |
Not too bad, but not the best we've had from TJs. The 3 servings really only serve 2 (or 1-1/2). |
| Golden Curry (medium hot) | S&B | |
Very easy to prepare, good flavor. Does contain MSG. |
| Tuna in red curry sauce* | Trader Joe's | |
Super-flavorful and incredibly easy to make (er, heat up). |
| Edamame* | Wel-pac | |
These are pretty good. They are still in the pod and cook up in the microwave pretty well. |
| Edamame (shelled)* | Trader Joe's | |
These are great tossed onto some rice, into a salad or stir-fry, with noodles, you name it! |
| Thai-style ginger carrots | Trader Joe's | |
Sweet and gingery, easy to prepare, healthy. I just don't like my carrots this sweet! |
| Chicken drummettes | Trader Joe's | |
My favorite chicken nugget brand. White meat breaded chicken shaped like little drumsticks - so cute, so good, and not bad for you! |
| Party-size mini meatballs | Trader Joe's | |
Great flavor and a cute size. I like to skewer them for a bento. I've also popped them into mini-pita breads. |
| Chicken nuggets (air-chilled)* | Bell & Evans | |
Pretty darn good! These chicken nuggets are uncooked, so they take longer to fry/bake. Nice white meat. |
| Tofu burger patty mix | House | |
Incredibly easy to make, tasty, and it's good for you! |
| Garlic and onion flavored tofu* | Nasoya (organic) | |
This comes uncooked. I like to cut it into bite-sized pieces and then fry it up until it's crisp and golden. |
| Vegetarian mushroom stir-fry | Lee Kum Kee | |
I like this sauce, but my husband isn't a huge fan. I use it to stir-fry veggies for side dishes and find that it complements Chinese broccoli nicely. |
| Teriyaki stir-fry | Tonton | |
One of our favorite teriyaki sauces, very liquidy. Good for SPAM for musubi and to stir-fry veggies. |
| Ginger scallion stir-fry | Trader Joe's | |
My husband likes this one a lot. A bit thick out of the jar, but it loosens up once it hits the heat and the food. |
| Honey barbecue | Sweet Baby Ray's | |
Sweet and tangy. Yum! |
| Island teriyaki | Soy Vay | |
We really loved this. Chock full of yummy ingredients, this is great as a stir-fry sauce. |
| Japanese mayo | Kewpie | |
A must for sushi and great mixed with tuna and a little wasabi for onigiri filling. The cute bottle doesn't hurt either. Find it at your local Asian grocery. |
| Oyster-flavored stir-fry | J-E-S | |
Kinda boring. |
| Wasabi mayonnaise* | Spectrum | |
Good flavor. |
| Panda cakes (strawberry filling) |
I MEI | |
I love these! The panda shape is so cute! I find them in the bakery aisle of my Asian market. |
| Monkey cakes (azuki bean filling) |
I MEI | |
My husband's favorite of the mini cakes. |
| Koala cakes (blueberry filling) |
I MEI | |
Ok, these weren't bad, but the blueberry flavoring just doesn't mix as well with the azuki bean... |
| Clementines in a can* | any | |
I am convinced that clementines are only good fresh. |
| Quadratini chocolate wafer cookies | Loacker | |
Really cute, really tasty, and not too bad for you. I found these at Trader Joe's. |
| Mini-Milano cookies | Pepperidge Farm | |
The same terrific cookies, but bento-sized! |
| Mini-mint Milano cookies | Pepperidge Farm | |
I looooove mint Milano cookies, and these bite-size beauties are just sooo cute! |
| Mandarin oranges* | Dole | |
Mandarin oranges aren't often in season. When they're not, I like this brand of tinned oranges. The light ones are good too. |
| Organic Vanilla Animal Cookies* | EnviroKidz | |
Light and airy, nice texture, "addicting" says the hubs. |
| Mini-Brussels cookies | Pepperidge Farm | |
Somehow these taste even better than their big counterparts. |