When you're pressed for time and need a healthy meal spur-of-the-moment, ordering takeout from a Chinese, Thai, or Japanese restaurant is a no-brainer. But if you love those meals, why not try cooking some at home? It's as easy as visiting an Asian supermarket to find all the sauces, marinades, and flavorings you need to cook up a storm. Some are as easy as switching to different ingredients. For example, keep some Korean BBQ sauce and marinade on hand for the next time you're grilling. Swap it for your regular barbecue sauce and taste the difference it makes. Spicy Korean BBQ is a global favorite.

Food products for healthier eating increasingly appear on the shelves of Asian markets. You'll easily find organic ingredients along with those that are sugar and gluten-free. Lower sodium soy sauce has become the standard in many households, and products with soy can be excellent alternatives if you need to eat dairy-free. Special dietary needs are easy to meet when shopping for Asian groceries, and with the vegetable-rich main dishes it's known for, you'll be lightening up your home cooking in no time. When the packaged groceries you buy complement organic fresh foods, you'll eat healthier instantly.

If you enjoy ramen for a quick meal on the go, you should check out the expanded selection you'll find at Asian markets – you'll have many more choices than you do at a conventional supermarket. It's a treat to shop specialty grocers and enjoy an expanded selection of many of your favorite products. Tea is another category where you'll find more at an Asian grocer. Did you know that the Yunnan Region of China produces some of the world's best teas? There are many varieties besides Chinese black tea, and each one is worthy of a taste. You may find you love things you never knew existed if your look carefully.

For anyone interested in stocking their pantry with more Asian groceries but pressed for time, consider shopping online. You can find easy-to-use virtual stores where you can set up an order more quickly than ever. Home delivery saves even more time and is an excellent convenience. Buying packaged food in bulk or economy sizes can cut your grocery bill, and you're more prone to cook at home when you have the flavor ingredients on hand. All you need are the fresh vegetables and meats to put together a meal your family will love. Home cooking also lets you control the ingredients and keep things healthier.