I’ve basically turned into my grandmother. I have a ‘dried goods / umami box’. I know of no other more economical way to make the stocks and soups required of southern Chinese coastal cooking. Black beans, good quality dried mushrooms, dried anchovies and scallops. Central to every Cantonese and Chiu Chow kitchen. Our food does not taste the same without this stuff. (And is also what’s used by the best restaurants)