Finding authentic Asian ingredients in the UK used to genuinely stress me out. I’d plan a whole day around it – a trip to Chinatown, that slightly chaotic Asian grocery on the high street, maybe a second shop if the first one didn’t have what I needed. And half the time I’d get home, ingredients in hand, only to realise I’d grabbed something similar but not quite right. Soy sauce isn’t just soy sauce. Anyone who cooks Asian food regularly will know exactly what I mean.
So when a friend mentioned WaNaHong – an Oriental supermarket that ships to your door across the UK – I’ll admit my first reaction was scepticism. I’ve tried other online “Asian grocery” shops before, and the experience is usually… fine. Generic, watered-down, not quite what you wanted. But I gave WaNaHong a go anyway. And now, several months later, it’s become a regular part of how I grocery shop.
What Exactly Is WaNaHong?
WaNaHong is a UK-based Oriental supermarket selling authentic Chinese, Japanese, and Asian food products online. Not the westernised, softened-for-mass-market versions you find in the international aisle at Sainsbury’s. We’re talking proper brands, imported directly – the kind you’d actually find in Hong Kong or Japan. Browse the WaNaHong website and you’ll see what I mean within about thirty seconds of scrolling.
The product range covers everything from noodles and rice to sauces, seasonings, snacks, jelly desserts, and cooking equipment. There’s real depth to the selection – the noodle section alone has a dozen different types, from Sanuki udon to ramen to rice noodles – and the brands are actual brands, not own-label imitations. That said, I want to be honest: you won’t find your entire weekly shop here. This is specialist stuff, the ingredients your local Tesco simply doesn’t carry. Which is precisely the point.
The Noodle Selection Is Where It Gets Seriously Good
OK so – noodles. This is actually where WaNaHong first properly won me over. I’d been looking for Miyatake Sanuki udon for ages – the thick, chewy, Japanese-style ones that are completely different from the flat dried noodles you’d find in most UK supermarkets. WaNaHong stocks them. And not just one type – there are several varieties and different pack sizes, and they arrive well packaged and fresh-tasting. I ordered a batch, made a simple dashi broth at home, and honestly? It tasted like something I’d eaten in an actual noodle shop. Not a sad approximation.
Beyond Sanuki udon, the ramen selection is solid too. There’s a good range from brands I actually recognise – which matters more than it might sound. When you’re cooking a dish that relies on a specific noodle texture or thickness, the brand genuinely changes the outcome. The Yau Kee noodles especially – if you know, you know. These are the kinds of products you simply can’t get from a mainstream UK supermarket, no matter how good their “world foods” aisle might be.
Beyond Noodles – The Full Range Is Worth Exploring
Right, so the noodles are great – but I should mention the rest of the shop too. The drinks and jelly dessert section is surprisingly fun, especially if you’ve never tried Asian-style jelly drinks before. Summer jelly desserts are a thing, and WaNaHong carries a decent selection. My daughter has gone completely mad for the grass jelly drinks (I can take or leave them personally, but she’d disagree strongly). The snack section is solid as well – rice crackers, assorted things I pick up because they look interesting and then end up loving.
The dim sum range deserves a mention as well. Chan Kee dim sum – available through WaNaHong – genuinely surprised me. It’s frozen, you steam it at home, and it’s miles ahead of the generic frozen dumplings from the average UK supermarket. For a Sunday morning when you want something a bit special without leaving the house, browsing WaNaHong for something new has become a small ritual in our flat. There’s always something I haven’t tried yet.
WaNaHong – Quick Overview
- UK-based online Oriental supermarket, shipping nationwide
- Specialises in authentic Chinese, Japanese and Asian food products
- Carries genuine brands: Miyatake, Yau Kee, Chan Kee, Kau Kee, Shun Nam
- Categories include noodles, dim sum, drinks, snacks, seasonings and equipment
- Apple Pay and Google Pay accepted at checkout
My Honest Verdict – and the One Thing I’d Change
WaNaHong is excellent for what it is – but I’ll be straight with you about one frustration. The range, while genuinely broad, can feel a bit unpredictable in terms of stock availability. Products come and go, and occasionally I’ve gone looking for something specific – a particular brand of soy sauce, or a specific type of rice cracker – only to find it’s currently unavailable. That’s my one genuine gripe. More consistent restocking of the popular lines would make it even better.
But that’s a minor complaint against an otherwise really solid service. The quality and authenticity of what they do stock is high. Prices are fair for specialist imported goods. Delivery has always arrived promptly for me, and the packaging keeps everything intact. For anyone who cooks Asian food regularly and doesn’t live near a major city with a proper Chinatown, this is the kind of service that genuinely makes a difference – you can get what you need without planning an expedition. Give WaNaHong a try and see whether it fills that gap for you.
