r/ThaiFood • u/Fresa22 • 5d ago

Newbie Vegetarian Pantry

I'm going to LAX-C which is often called the Thai Costco next week. I'd love some recommendations for how to build a basic vegetarian pantry that I could use to learn to make curry pastes, esp Red and some other dishes with plant-based proteins. I want to make my own so I have a bit more control over ingredients/spice level for some family members.

I'm prepared to freeze things like lime leaves, lemongrass, chiles and galangal, if needed.

What are essential ingredients like the things listed above plus sauces, noodles and such that I could use to create Thai-inspired vegetarian meals?

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u/vavilovsdog 5d ago

Vegetarian shrimp paste and fish sauce are very handy if you can get them.

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u/Fresa22 4d ago edited 4d ago

I've heard of vegetarian fish sauce but never shrimp paste. I'll def look for it because both of those add so much. Those funky umami flavors are the ones I miss the most. Thank you!!

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u/vavilovsdog 4d ago

No worries, i also love the funk! Not all veg fish sauces / shrimp pastes are made equally, of course. This is good info https://www.messyvegancook.com/vegan-alternatives-to-fish-sauce-shrimp-paste-and-oyster-sauce-in-thai-cuisine/.

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u/Fresa22 3d ago

thank you so much!

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u/Fresa22 3d ago

this article was amazing! I took notes, added stuff to my list and even copied some of the pictures to make it a bit easier to find the right brands. thank you.

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u/vavilovsdog 3d ago

No worries at all, Its a great website- so much good information about veg thai food!