18 minutes ago, chromedome said:Cool. Cumin is one of my favorite spices, but I don't recall encountering it in Chinese food. Is it a regional thing?
Cumin is very popular, particularly in the north and west. Lamb kebabs with cumin and chilli are sold all over China. They originated in the far western, mainly Muslim province of Xinjiang but every night market in the country offers them. Hunan cumin beef is also very well known. It is also used in Sichuan.
All my local shops from giant supermarkets to the mom 'n pop stores carry ground cumin. And I'm in the south and east!