490398 Sat Feb 16 19:07:52 -0800 2008 23 2 Los Angeles Area 0 3405301 I feel kind of silly asking this, because I think they're the kind of item that should be in every Chinese grocery store on the planet, but I can't seem to find them... Does anybody know where to buy fermented black beans? All I've ever been able to find is "Black Bean Garlic Sauce", which is a beany-garlicky moosh with no coherent beans in it at all and isn't what I'm looking for. Bonus points if they're available between Santa Monica and Downtown. I'll drive out to Monterey Park if I have to, but I'd rather not. Sat Feb 16 19:07:52 -0800 2008 56630 Bjartmarr 1 3405312 I'm 3000 miles away from you, so I can't give you a specific store, but here in the NYC area they are all kept in the area wherever the dried products are displayed.....dried mushrooms, fungus, bean curd and etc.......they are in plastic vacuum sealed bags, not in glass jars. After opening, transfer to an airtight container of your choice.....even a zip lock bag is acceptable. Good Luck. Sat Feb 16 19:13:32 -0800 2008 3405301 123497 fourunder 1 3405441 You need to be more specific. There are several different types of fermented black beans that you can find in Chinese markets. Are you looking for fresh or canned (or jarred)? If the latter, look in the aisles in any Chinese market where the fermented tofu is stocked. If you are looking for fresh ones, the San Gabriel Superstore (SW corner of Valley and Del Mar) carries it, as does Hawaii Supermarket (SE corner of Del Mar and Valley). Sat Feb 16 20:24:49 -0800 2008 3405301 11583 ipsedixit 1 3405451 99 Ranch market has them in the aisle with all the unusual dried stuff (at least the Gardena one). They are in a plastic bag. There are 99's closer to you I think so they probably have them shelved the same way. I transfer them to a glass jar and they last forever. Sat Feb 16 20:28:50 -0800 2008 3405301 17682 torty 1 3405730 My mom wanted a very specific fermented black beans and we found them on the top most shelf, it wasn't very close to the other black beans, so it seemed odd. Sorry can't remember the name, but we have used it for decades now, a cylindrical cardboard container that is mostly yellow and white. Sun Feb 17 00:01:25 -0800 2008 3405301 77080 justagthing 2 3733956 I've attached a pic from Tiger's and Strawberries Blog that shows the Fermented Black Beans / douchi 豆豉 that I use. Be sure rinse off the excess salt under the tap with cold water. Available in any Chinese market, most Asian markets. Also get the larger box which is a better value than the same thing in little plastic bags, they last forever without refrigeration. http://photos1.blogger.com/photoInclude/blogger/5721/764/1600/IMG_2473.jpg Fri May 30 07:40:23 -0700 2008 3405730 10864 sel 3 3734374 Thanks, the picture is helpful. I found some dried black beans at Wing Hop Fung; I haven't tried them yet so I don't know if they're what I'm looking for, but I suspect not. Fri May 30 09:29:33 -0700 2008 3733956 56630 Bjartmarr 4 3734420 You're welcome. Note that although they are 'dried' they are soft, not hard like bags of conventional dried beans. Fri May 30 09:41:59 -0700 2008 3734374 10864 sel 1 3406144 I believe what you are looking for are salted fermented soybeans. 99 Ranch carries them, as should any other Asian Market. There is a 99 Ranch on Sepulveda and Victory, which isn't exactly between Santa Monica and Downtown, but could be if you got really lost. If you do go there be sure to grab a bowl of pho at Pho So 1, or Pho 999 (same strip mall or across the street). Sun Feb 17 08:12:29 -0800 2008 3405301 103155 ebethsdad 2 3734398 Ooh...I went to the pho joint in that mini mall a couple weeks ago (the one right next to the 99 ranch), and was entirely unimpressed. The broth lacked flavor. Usually I go to the Pho So 1 over on Reseda just North of Sherman Way. Fri May 30 09:34:50 -0700 2008 3406144 56630 Bjartmarr 1 3406344 Well, I guess I've been looking in the wrong section. I never considered that they might be in a bag -- I always looked for them in jars. Thanks a bunch, guys! Sun Feb 17 09:23:15 -0800 2008 3405301 56630 Bjartmarr 1 3407890 You been looking at the Lee Kum Kee black bean sauce in a jar probably? I find those tasteless and never use it. 99 Ranch has it in small clear plastic bags (where the preserved vegetables are) and usually less than 50 cents a small bag. They look like little moist salted black peas which needs to be rinsed and mashed before using. In most cases, it is used along with fresh garlic to bring out it's flavor. In LA Chinatown, I buy mine at Wing Hop Fung on Broadway across Lucky Deli near Alpine. Most Chinese grocery stores will carry it. Sun Feb 17 18:56:57 -0800 2008 3405301 116037 Clinton 1 3733305 Here in San Diego, almost every large supermarket (Vons, Albertson's, Stater Bros., etc.) have many different Asian sauces in small bottles including garlic black bean sauce. All Asian supermarkets also have many sauces and brands. Fri May 30 00:23:03 -0700 2008 3405301 161890 dmreed 2 3733489 the op is not looking for sauce, rather, the actual black beans...not usually found in the run of the mill markets. but in sd you do have a 99 ranch that carries the stuff as well. Fri May 30 05:02:42 -0700 2008 3733305 77080 justagthing 1 3734660 Are these fermented black beans the same ones that are found in a few dim sum dishes, specifically the soybean wraps? In this dish, only a few of these very tiny gems can be found, but they pack a punch of flavor. If these are not the same, what are THESE look-alikes? I have searched for these in various Asian markets, but I don't actually know what I am looking for. Fri May 30 10:39:28 -0700 2008 3405301 14014 liu 1 3734746 In the past, I've purchased canned fermented black beans (don't remember the brand, but definitely an import) from Surfas in Culver City. Fri May 30 11:01:09 -0700 2008 3405301 106082 luv2savr 1 3734941 See Justagthing's and Sel's posts above. Look for the cylindrical cardboard container. Inside that cardboard is a plastic bag that holds the beans that you seem to be looking for. You don't need to go to any sort of specialized stores. This is very basic stuff, found in Chinese markets, big and small. There's a small market in Chinatown that's been there forever, BC market, I want to say it's on College. They should have it. Fri May 30 11:49:47 -0700 2008 3405301 13957 slacker 1 3735097 Sometimes, the dried black beans will be in round cardboard containers (cardboard is similar to those used in cereal boxes). These would be found close to the bagged versions in the dry food section of most Chinese markets. Fri May 30 12:33:44 -0700 2008 3405301 17644 raytamsgv 1 3817443 I found them! Finally! The (hard) dried beans that I found at Wing Hop Fung in Chinatown didn't work out. But I did find what I was looking for at a little hole-in-the-wall store in Chinatown, on the corner of (iirc) Ord and New High. Thu Jun 26 17:40:08 -0700 2008 3405301 56630 Bjartmarr 2 3818879 Those fermented salted black beans come in clear plastic bags and not in cardboard boxes. Ask the store clerk for "dau see" the next time you go to Wind Hop Fung or to the 99 Ranch Market. The texture is soft and moist and not hard. Fri Jun 27 08:03:20 -0700 2008 3817443 116037 Clinton 3 3819225 Thanks, Clinton! One of our favorite dim sum places, Elite, gave me a small container of these because I like them so much! I used them in salads and ... well, everything else, and they pack a punch of flavor! Only a few are needed to spark the taste buds! I will now go hunting for more, and with everyone's help here, I hope to find them in almost any Chinese market, now that I know what to look for. Fri Jun 27 09:40:10 -0700 2008 3818879 14014 liu 3 3820786 They also come in cardboard containers, more of a cylindrical shape than rectangular. Fri Jun 27 18:45:17 -0700 2008 3818879 77080 justagthing 4 3820878 Thanks, justagthing. Fri Jun 27 19:23:37 -0700 2008 3820786 14014 liu 2 3819534 You soak the hard, dried beans in cold water until they get soft enough for you to use. Fri Jun 27 11:02:56 -0700 2008 3817443 17644 raytamsgv