Doubanjiang (chili bean paste) in Japan: what it's called and where to buy it

Doubanjiang is 豆板醤, sold in small jars on the Chinese seasoning shelf. 甜麺醤 is right next to it.

Look for this on the label

豆板醤
tōbanjan · chili bean paste
甜麺醤
tenmenjan · sweet bean sauce
豆豉
tōchi · fermented black beans

Where to find it

In the shop

Chinese seasonings (中華調味料), with oyster sauce and sesame oil.

Which shops

豆板醤 and 甜麺醤 everywhere. Sichuan 郫県豆板醤 and 豆豉 at Chinese grocery shops and KALDI.

Watch out

Japanese-made 豆板醤 is milder and saltier than Pixian doubanjiang. Add a little chili oil (ラー油) for the Sichuan taste.

If you can't find it

Miso with chili flakes
Sweet bean sauce: red miso with sugar and a little soy sauce

Let the app do the swaps for you

Lazy Recipe sees that you're in Japan and turns any dish into 3 steps with what Japanese supermarkets sell. Your shopping list shows each item's Japanese label and aisle.

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