What are good ingredient substitutions?
Sometimes you can't find the exact Chinese ingredient at your local store. Here are some common substitutions that work well:
- Shaoxing wine: Dry sherry or Chinese rice wine alternatives work well.
- Sichuan peppercorns: If you can't find them, you can leave them out, but they really add the unique numbing flavor.
- Chinese black vinegar: Balsamic vinegar mixed with a little rice vinegar is a decent substitute.
- Oyster sauce: You can find vegetarian versions made from mushrooms these days.
The linked guide has a comprehensive list of substitutions for most common ingredients that you might need.