Paella pan from Spain, if you're into paellas. Italy: a herb mortar and pestle (wooden pestle, ceramic mortar). Maybe a food mill from France (easily available in the U.S. though - my Moulinex has been going for 20 years) and also Le Creuset pans. Maybe even a tagine if you want to make any N. African dishes.

Forgot about Riedel. Bought some liquor glasses from Austria and also a 2nds Amadeo decanter from one of the factory outlets which was a lot cheaper (by almost a magnitude) than a 1st in N. America.


I searched H.K. for a cast iron wok (nice and light, heats up fast, and seasons so you don't burn the non-stick off it) made in Foshan near Guangzhou but could never find any. Ended up finding them in Vancouver's Chinatown for cheap.

Did go to one of the last Chinese emporiums (before Chinese goods became universally available) in H.K. before they all closed down. At the close out sale of one by Causeway Bay, bought a stainless steel cleaver and Chinese dish sets.

As for meat thermometers, Princess Auto has a very good instant read one for $10.


WMF also has those very nice ceramic spice grinders that never dull.