Your local supermarket should carry packages of tofu, but for better-quality fresh tofu, head to the Asian grocery. Cheong-po can be found in Korean markets. As with the bean curd, Korean cuisine uses both soy bean and mung bean sprouts. Check your specialty grocery store or local farmers' market for the freshest selection. One of the key seasonings in Korean cooking, it's often pickled and eaten on its own.
Fresh ginger is another important seasoning.
Never substitute powdered ginger for fresh. Most supermarkets carry fresh ginger root. This staple comes in numerous varieties, but the most common is napa cabbage pickled with ingredients such as red pepper flakes, garlic, onion juice and ginger. You can find it in Asian groceries. Popular varieties include shiitake, wood ear and Chinese mushrooms.