Vegetables

CHINESE EGGPLANT. It looks like a cucumber and has few seeds. It has a light flavor; you can use its Western counterpart as an alternative.

CAU CHOY. A typical Chinese spice, known in Peru as Chinese garlic. It is sweet and has strong smell. The small white bulb is not used.

CAY CHOY. It is similar to greens or Swiss chard. It is used in marinades and in stir-frying. Some people think the taste is too strong. It is the mustard plant.

SPRING ONION. It is thin and long with green leaves. You hardly use the leaves, only to prepare rice chaufa (fried) and to make Omelettes. It is basic in Chinese cookery. Stems are cut into sticks of about three centimeters long.

CHINESE CABBAGE. It is much larger than the Western one and used often in broth, casseroles or stews and in stir-frying.

CHOY SAM. Well-known vegetable, mainly used in stir-frying.

CHINESE BEAN OR SOYBEAN. You can buy them fresh in the supermarkets. They should be eaten raw or lightly fried to remain crunchy.

JOLANTAO. Sweet with a firm texture goes well with stir-fry. It is called Chinese pea.

GINGER. Essential in Chinese cooking. Peruvians know by its Chinese name of kion. It is a tuber that can be used fresh, dried and in powder, you can also use the root. It is peeled and chopped in round slices.

TURNIP. Often used in the Chinese cuisine, it is bigger than the normal one. The marinated turnip is very popular in Peru.

GREEN PAC CHOY. Smaller than normal Pac choy. It is also known as Shangai cabbage.

SACCO. Small and hard tuber that is also called Chinese potato. Finely chopped, it gives a crunchy texture to fillings.

SEN CUA. Also known as Chinese Marrow it is long and green, with external veins that should be removed. Goes well with stir-fry.

CHINESE GREEN BEANS: They are longer and crispier than their counterparts. They have a nice flavor.

Where to buy the ingredients
preparing any recipe requires ingredients that one does not always have on hand. Fortunately, the availability of Chinese products has increased and they-are now sold in several shops. Nevertheless. Chinatown remains the best source for a wide variety of products. Visiting it is always fascinating, and you will find a wide array of ingredients used in CHinese cooking. You will find shelves full of all types of sauces, seaweeds, conserves, mushrooms, spices, noodles, etc. It is a gastronomic universe waiting to be explored and experienced.
The main shops where you can buy Chinese products are:

• S.B.R Traiding. Ucayali (Capón) 659. Telephone: 4270977.
• Jiron Paruro 842 Telephone: 4271403/4268496
• Wok and utensils. Jr. Paruro 848, Telephone: 4268786
• Fu Wa. Jr Paruro 787, Lima. Telephone: 4278570
• Kenex. Jr. Paruro 877, Lima. Telephone: 4263237/4271561
• Fun Yen (Meat and pasta)
• Jr. Ucayali 744 (Capon), Lima, Telephone: 427-1561
• J.L Importador.
• Jr. Paruro 899, Lima. Telephone: 4285552
• Stands in Capon Street.
• Capon 749 (vegetables, young pigeons and dish)
• Capon 765 (seasonings and sauces)
• Mercado Central (vegetables)
• Capon Street stands inside the market
• Mrs. Brigida Lumache. Telephone: 4273575
• Pekin duck.
• Mrs.Gladys. Telephone: 3562901/99103368
• 11 de Octubre, lote 46. Km 11.5 Carretera Central Lima.
• Choung Lee Noodle Factory.
• Telephone: 4254558/99780895. Pasaje Borja 135
• Urbanización Elio, Lima
  There are also markets that sell a variety of Chinese vegetables, packed products, cooking paste and Peking duck.
• Surquillo Market
  Puesto N°45 (vegetables, CHinese products and pasta)
  Telephones: 4444058/2416894
  Puesto N° 104-105 (vegetables, Chinese products and pasta)
  Telephone: 4443599
• Magdalena Market
• Supermarkets
  E.Wong
  Santa Isabel