I recently tried to make a soup recipe that called for bamboo shoots. I found some canned shoots from a local Asian supermarket and attempted to use those—but they were awful. They had a bitter, metallic taste from the can, and no other discernible flavor. I'm pretty sure that's not what bamboo shoots are supposed to taste like, but how can I find good ones?
I'm not asking for specific shopping recommendations, but more general advice.
- Do frozen bamboo shoots exist? Are they better than canned?
- Am I likely to find fresh bamboo shoots at the Asian market if I ask?
- Is there some other recommendation for finding a good brand that I can use?
Best Answer
Fresh bamboo shoots are available at Asian markets but the quality control of those can vary greatly by market and turnaround (if you have a "reputable" one nearby like a Ranch99 I'd check them out). They tend to be more tender and sweet than canned bamboo shoots. It's worth a shot, though. Ideally you'd be able to eat them straight without cooking.
However, in most general cases, I agree with TFD's comment.