Large earthenware pot @ asian market

[Drax]

So when I was at the Asian market the other day, I noticed that they had these really nice brown glazed earthenware pots. They probably held about 1-2 gallons, semi-round shape, with a large handle (kyuusu-like) on one side, and a "nub" type of handle on the other side.

Is something like this for making kim chee, or other types of dishes? Just curious, they were only $20 and seemed like a decent vessel to do something on a large scale.

[wyardley]

Without seeing exactly how it looks, I'm guessing probably for boiling Chinese medicine or making soup.

Either that, or a different shape of 'sha guo' (Chinese / Vietnamese style clay pot), used for cooking.

Are they smooth / glazed all over, or just on the inside?

[Drax]

Hrm, interesting...

I think they were glazed all over, inside and out. I don't recall seeing any bare surface... I should have taken a picture. I'll do that next time

[wyardley]

Is it like this kind of thing? http://www.tradewindsorientalshop.co.uk ... _Pots.html

[Drax]

Yep, like the one on the right -- even the same texture on the handle. Though the glaze was more of the 'standard' earthy-brown.

So I guess that means it's a soup pot. Hmmm. It didn't seem like something that was heatable, though...

[wyardley]

Yep, like the one on the right -- even the same texture on the handle. Though the glaze was more of the 'standard' earthy-brown.

So I guess that means it's a soup pot. Hmmm. It didn't seem like something that was heatable, though...

I think mostly used for boiling herbal medicine, but could also be used for soup.

[gingkoseto]

Yeah I think it's called some sort of herbal medicine pot. But a lot Cantonese soups are pretty much herbal medicine soups (with meat) anyway Usually 1 serving of herbal medicine would be of much smaller size, and this may be used for family size, so usually not for treating serious diseases, but for "tonic soups". But oh I thought it would cost like $8

[Drax]

Well, good to know, thanks! I guess I'll stay away for now... maybe if I'm feeling poorly, I can try to brew up some soup.