Going to a Chinese Supermarket, what should I buy?

Steve059

The 5 spice powder is better and cheaper than in a "normal" supermarket, but it should only contain cinnamon (or cassia), cloves, fennel seed, star anise and Sichuan pepper.

None of the brands of 5 spice powder in my local Chinese supermarket contain Sichuan pepper. Actually, it isn't botanically a pepper, and ginger is the closest alternative.

However, they do sell all of the five spices on their own, so I could make some of my own.

cybervic

Definitely all sorts of noodles including the instant ones. Frozen Chinese food are cheaper and tastier than supermarket's range too.

itch_for_a_glitch

Frozen, oven ready duck, for shredded duck pancakes (usually around a fiver for 2 breasts). And the rice paper pancakes to wrap them in (around £2.50/hundred.) And some Hoi sin sauce, of course.