Joybuy Insights

Buying food online: A guide to choosing Asian ingredients, confectionery and cupboard essentials

Anyone looking to buy food online will quickly find a wide range of Asian food, confectionery, snacks and tinned goods. The variety is convenient, but it can make direct comparisons more difficult. Packaging images and marketing claims often reveal less than the ingredients list, net quantity, allergens and storage instructions.

As a Joybuy Product Recommendation Officer, I explain the most important selection criteria objectively, so you can find suitable products for your household, family, home cooking or food cupboard.

Common problems when buying food online

1. Small pack, apparently cheaper price

A low individual price is not automatically better value. The key factors are unit price, net quantity and intended use. A 150-g box of chocolates may be enough for a small gift, while a larger chocolate assortment may be more suitable for several people. With sauces, you should also consider how often they will be used and whether refrigeration is required after opening.

2. The flavour is not described in enough detail

Asian sauces can vary considerably in saltiness, sweetness, acidity and intensity. Depending on the recipe, soy sauce may be suitable for marinating, dipping or seasoning. Fish sauce has a pronounced savoury flavour and contains fish, which is an allergen. Marketing terms such as “authentic” or “intense” are therefore no substitute for checking the ingredients and nutritional information.

3. Allergens and storage instructions are overlooked

Food may contain soya, wheat, milk, nuts, celery, sesame, fish or sulphites. You should check this information before buying. Instructions such as “refrigerate after opening” or “consume within two days” are equally important. This applies particularly to tinned goods, sauces and products containing nuts or milk ingredients.

Important criteria before buying food online

Check the ingredients list and allergens

Ingredients are generally listed in descending order by weight. When buying Asian food, it is worth checking the specific ingredients:

  • Soy sauce: soya beans, wheat, salt and, where applicable, sugar or yeast extract.
  • Fish sauce: type of fish, fish content and salt content.
  • Seasoning sauces: sugar, oil, mushrooms, sesame and declared additives.
  • Sweets and chocolate: milk, hazelnuts, almonds, peanuts and soya.

If you are unsure about an intolerance, always refer to the current labelling on the packaging. Product information may change.

How to interpret nutritional information correctly

Nutritional information usually refers to 100 g or 100 ml. This makes it possible to compare products regardless of pack size. With sauces, the salt content is particularly relevant when planning recipes: according to the product information, Squid Fish Sauce 725 ml contains 25.2 g of salt per 100 g, while HADAY Superior Light Soy Sauce contains 14.3 g of salt per 100 ml.

For honey, chocolate, pralines and sweets, the sugar and energy content is often the main focus. This does not mean these products are unsuitable; rather, the information helps you choose an appropriate portion size and product for the occasion.

Consider storage, shelf life and quantity

Shelf-stable products are practical for keeping in your cupboard, but they still need suitable conditions. The following rules often apply:

  1. Store unopened tins, sauces and dry snacks in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
  2. Store opened sauces, including soy sauce and fish sauce, in the refrigerator according to the instructions on the packaging.
  3. Reseal crispy products such as dried apple chips carefully after opening.
  4. Store honey at room temperature. Crystallisation is a natural change; if necessary, the jar can be warmed gently in a bain-marie.
  5. Once opened, refrigerate tinned meat and consume it within the stated period.

Recommendations by shopping profile

The following selection categorises products according to typical uses. Pack size, ingredients, storage instructions and intended use are the key considerations.

Suitable for: Budget-conscious beginners
Sempio Soy Sauce Jin S 500ml

Sempio Soy Sauce Jin S 500 ml

Why this product suits this profile: The 500-ml bottle is ideal for first attempts at cooking, marinades, dips and everyday meals.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The ingredients and allergen information clearly identify soya beans and wheat; the salt content is 13.4 g per 100 ml.

Main benefit & strengths

Suitable for seasoning, dipping and marinating; store in a cool place after opening.

Suitable for: Quality-focused shoppers
Langnese Summer Blossom Honey 500g

Langnese Summer Blossom Honey 500 g

Why this product suits this profile: According to the product information, this honey consists of 100% honey, while the 500-g jar is a practical size for regular household use.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The ingredients list is short, and the origin is stated as Germany, with a blend of EU and non-EU honeys.

Main benefit & strengths

Suitable as a spread, in tea or with muesli; store at room temperature away from light.

Suitable for: Specific uses & frequent users
Squid Fish Sauce 725ml

Squid Fish Sauce 725 ml

Why this product suits this profile: The large bottle is aimed at people who regularly prepare Asian dishes, marinades or dips.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The fish content is stated as 77%; the product contains fish and provides 25.2 g of salt per 100 g.

Main benefit & strengths

Made with anchovies, salt and sugar; refrigerate after opening.

Suitable for: Families and well-stocked households
Simon Tender Pork Goulash in Sauce 300g

Simon Tender Pork Goulash in Sauce 300 g

Why this product suits this profile: This ready-to-eat tinned meal can be stored and heated when you need a quick meal.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The information states that it contains 32% pre-cooked pork, wheat and celery; possible traces of mustard are also listed.

Main benefit & strengths

300-g tin, with a shelf life of at least 67 days unopened according to the product information; refrigerate after opening and consume within two days.

Other suitable cupboard essentials or snacks include Küstengold Waffelgebäck, Toffifee, Merci Pralinen, Raffaello, pickled peppers and dried apple chips. When comparing confectionery, pay particular attention to pack size, types of nuts and milk ingredients. Even snacks with no added sugar, such as Kotányi apple chips, still contain the apples’ natural sugar, which is included in the nutritional information.

Looking for more options?

We have put together a complete, regularly updated list of products that fully meet these strict selection criteria and the safety regulations applicable in the EU.

FAQ about buying food online

Which foods are particularly suitable for buying online?

Shelf-stable products such as soy sauce, fish sauce, spices, honey, chocolate, pralines, tinned goods and packaged snacks are well suited to online shopping. For perishable goods, you should check the delivery conditions, temperature requirements and use-by periods.

How long do food products ordered online last?

This depends on the type of product and batch. The best-before date on the packaging is the key reference. Unopened tins and dry products can be stored for longer, while opened sauces or tinned goods often need to be refrigerated and consumed promptly.

What should I look out for with Asian sauces?

Check the salt content, ingredients, allergens, bottle size and storage requirements after opening. A light soy sauce such as HADAY or Sempio should be assessed differently from a fish sauce or a flavoured ponzu sauce. Choose the variety according to whether you intend to use it for cooking, marinating, dipping or as a dressing.