The Qi Kitchen Pantry

Everything I use and recommend โ€” the ingredients and tools behind the recipes on this site. All items are available on Amazon, and I only list things I'd actually use myself.

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๐Ÿฒ Kitchen Tools

Here's the honest truth: you don't need any special equipment to start making Chinese sweet soups. A regular pot on the stove will make almost everything on this site. The few tools below aren't requirements โ€” they're the ones that genuinely make the cooking easier or the results a little nicer, once you've decided you enjoy this.

Clay Pot (็ ‚้”…, shฤ guล) โ˜… Most used The pot I reach for most often. Clay holds heat gently and spreads it evenly, which suits the slow, unhurried simmering that sweet soups and congee love โ€” there's no harsh boiling, just a steady, mellow heat. It's not essential to begin with, but it's a genuine pleasure to cook with, and it's the one piece I'd upgrade to first. Best for: sweet soups, congee, slow-simmered dishes โ†’ Shop on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4w2af9D

Double-Boiler Stew Pot (็‚–็›…, dรนn zhลng) The traditional way to make the most delicate sweet soups, like snow fungus. Instead of sitting over direct heat, the food cooks gently inside a ceramic pot-within-a-pot, surrounded by steam. The result is especially silky and clean-tasting โ€” a noticeably different texture from stovetop simmering, and a lovely one to try once you're hooked. Best for: snow fungus soup, gentle steamed sweet soups โ†’ Shop on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4uLbEjL

Electric Slow Soup Pot / Health Pot (ๅ…ป็”Ÿๅฃถ, yวŽng shฤ“ng hรบ) A small electric pot built for slow-simmering soups and brewing teas. The whole appeal is convenience: set it going and let it quietly simmer a pot of red date and goji tea, or a small batch of sweet soup, while you get on with your day. A common fixture in Chinese kitchens for exactly this reason. Best for: simmered teas, red date drinks, small-batch sweet soups โ†’ Shop on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4oBrFqP

๐Ÿฅฃ Sweet Soup Pantry (Dried Goods)

The handful of dried ingredients behind nearly every Chinese sweet soup. They keep for months, so a small stock goes a long way.

Dried Snow Fungus (้“ถ่€ณ) โ€” turns silky and gently gelatinous; the star of the classic sweet soup. โ†’ Shop on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4etZVjf

Red Dates / Jujube (็บขๆžฃ) โ€” chewy, caramel-like sweetness; the backbone of countless bowls. โ†’ Shop on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4uLc9dD

Goji Berries (ๆžธๆž) โ€” soft, mildly sweet-tart; added at the end for a bright finish. โ†’ Shop on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3QrQoS0

Dried Longan (ๆก‚ๅœ†) โ€” honeyed and chewy, lovely alongside red dates. โ†’ Shop on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4uKfSYP

Lotus Seeds (่Žฒๅญ) โ€” soft and starchy; a classic partner to snow fungus. โ†’ Shop on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Sz4odf

Black Sesame (้ป‘่Š้บป) โ€” rich and nutty, ground into one of the coziest sweet soups. โ†’ Shop on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4aUnnoQ

Mung Beans (็ปฟ่ฑ†) โ€” the base of the classic chilled summer soup. โ†’ Shop on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4vf4eGn

Red / Adzuki Beans (็บข่ฑ†) โ€” cooked down into a thick, comforting sweet soup. โ†’ Shop on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4aFQjRr

Rock Sugar (ๅ†ฐ็ณ–) โ€” the clean, mellow sweetener that defines the category. โ†’ Shop on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4aaN7Nv

Dried Tangerine Peel (้™ˆ็šฎ) โ€” a fragrant note for soups both sweet and savory. โ†’ Shop on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4eOFYFb

Disclaimer: This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. All recommendations are based on personal use and research โ€” I never recommend products I wouldn't use myself.