J Krugman wrote:
>
> This is a question for readers with knowledge of Chinese. How do
> you say "water chestnuts" in Cantonese and in Mandarin?
>
> More generally, does anybody know of a webpage aimed English speakers
> listing the *Chinese characters* (or at least the phonetically
> transcribed words) for typical Chinese cooking ingredients such as
> fermented black beans and Szechuan peppercorns?
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Jill

Try this site and see if that helps: http://www.mandarintools.com/

Use the dictionary function and search by English.

>
> P.S. I know that there's a book out there on "demystifying the
> Asian grocery store", but I think that if I could just find the
> Chinese characters for the ingredients, I could get along fine.

Sob... I lost that book when I moved! It is very useful.. the Eater's
Guide to Chinese Characters by James McCawley.
Wish it would get reprinted; the used copies available are vastly
overpriced.