In an increasingly globalized culinary landscape, certain kitchen staples from around the world remain largely unfamiliar to American home cooks. These tools are not just dramatic methods of preparing food, they bring legitimacy and authenticity to cuisines from around the world. From specialized cookware to unique utensils, these tools can enhance the home cooking experience. Here are ten widely available pantry goldmines that would open up endless opportunities in the kitchen—if only more Americans had them.
The Tefal Elegance crepe pan, $50.47 on Amazon, is a classic case in point. This Japanese style tool is perfect for making paper-thin French crepes, producing perfect results on a gas burner stove. Fine-tuned to permeate every inch with heat, its design helps cooks produce that well-known ideal thinness. As crepe-making aficionados will tell you, making the perfect crepe is a fine art that starts with having the proper gear.
Another kitchen essential found in most Italian households is the Moka pot. This classic coffee percolator yields a strong cup of joe that will please the discerning mouse espresso-drinking soul of Italy. Alberto Polojac, an Italian coffee expert, states, “It produces a coffee that satisfies Italy’s espresso-loving palate.” He describes how the Moka pot bridges the gap between home brewing and the espresso bar. It transports the incredible flavor of Italian café traditions straight to your home.
Korean metal chopsticks For anyone who appreciates Asian cuisine, especially Korean cuisine, metal chopsticks and stainless steel chopsticks are the only utensils you need. In Korea where metal chopsticks are standard, they were formerly reserved for royalty. These chopsticks are less porous than their wooden counterparts, meaning they’ll absorb bacteria less easily. SuYeon Lee, a culinary expert, emphasizes their practicality, noting that “metal chopsticks are less porous than wood chopsticks and don’t absorb bacteria.” Their durability, variety of styles, and easy cleanability have made them a longtime favorite of health and sanitation-minded cooks.
In the textile sphere, tea towels are super versatile and chic. In France, these useful beauties are more commonly known as torchons. Omid Tavallai, a culinary artist, mentions, “Torchons are plentiful in any professional French kitchen and should be at home.” These towels come in many stylish designs or patterns and are perfect souvenirs from France to remember your trip. They cut, chop, and slice their way through the kitchen offering color, life, art!
Culinary creatives intent on developing their cutting skills may want to check out Shun’s Premier Nakiri knife. This pro-grade knife features a stunning 68 layers of stainless Damascus cladding. It’s ideal for cutting vegetables in delicate Japanese dishes. Shota Nakajima, a renowned chef, states, “The way we cut ingredients directly affects how they feel when eaten.” An excellent knife will not only make your food taste better, it’ll improve the whole act of cooking.
Throughout Spain, restaurants will use this versatile terracotta cazuela for cooking. That makes it an incredible choice for flavor-building in dishes such as paella and other classic one-pot stews. Its capacity to hold heat makes it perfect for slow-cooking techniques that build rich flavors through caramelization. Nargisse Benkabbou describes the cazuela as more than just a cooking vessel; “it’s a symbol of how we approach food: slow, generous, and deeply layered in flavor.”
For fans of Mexican food, chef and tortillería owner Fátima Juárez strongly recommends the metal tortilla press. She explains that “a metal tortilla press is always the best, the heavier the better,” emphasizing how the press’s weight helps distribute pressure evenly when flattening masa into tortillas. The Masienda x Made In Comal has gained popularity for its ability to cook up to four taco-sized tortillas at a time, making it a valuable addition for those who love to prepare fresh tortillas at home.
Finally, the Emile Henry French Ceramic Tagine is a beautiful work of art. You can get it on Amazon for $134.95 or at Williams Sonoma for $149.95. This tagine opens the door for home cooks to create authentic Moroccan cuisine, unlocking flavor-packed dishes that focus on aromatic spices and slow-cooked goodness.