For home cooks who treasure authentic culinary tools, Helen Chen is a benchmark for quality. Their line of handcrafted, Asian-inspired kitchenware, from traditional bamboo steamers to perfectly balanced wok tools, blends graceful design with serious performance.
The brand is celebrated for its commitment to durable, eco-friendly materials and traditional craftsmanship that make cooking a genuine pleasure. For those who appreciate that dedication to quality and thoughtful design, here are 18 similar brands worth exploring for your kitchen.
1. Joy of Cooking
Joy of Cooking offers a thoughtful collection of kitchen tools for passionate home chefs, including high-quality ceramic knives, versatile bamboo utensils, and sturdy cutting boards. With a strong emphasis on practical, daily-use items made from sustainable materials, they cater to cooks who value both performance and environmental responsibility.
Much like Helen Chen, Joy of Cooking prioritizes eco-friendly materials like bamboo, but they extend their modern-meets-traditional aesthetic across a wider variety of general kitchenware. They're a great fit if you love Helen Chen's ethos but need tools for both classic and contemporary recipes.
Shop now at joyofcooking.com
2. Kuhn Rikon
Known for its quality Swiss design, Kuhn Rikon specializes in innovative, high-performance kitchen gadgets, an impressive collection of pressure cookers, and precision knives. Their products are celebrated for smart features and sleek, colorful designs that add a touch of modern efficiency to any kitchen, with single tools starting around $20.
While Helen Chen is rooted in traditional Asian tools, Kuhn Rikon focuses on modern, technical advancements in cookware. Both brands, however, share a core commitment to longevity and superior quality, making Kuhn Rikon an excellent choice for a cook who appreciates cutting-edge kitchen engineering.
Shop now at kuhnrikon.com
3. Miyabi
Miyabi is a name synonymous with Japanese blade mastery, producing ultra-sharp, handcrafted kitchen knives that combine centuries of tradition with modern German steel technology. With individual knives often starting around $150, Miyabi is an investment in unparalleled precision and culinary artistry.
Though Miyabi's focus is exclusively on premium knives, they share Helen Chen's dedication to authentic craftsmanship and lasting quality. If the artistry of Helen Chen's tools appeals to you, Miyabi offers that same level of dedication for the most critical tool in any chef's arsenal.
Shop now at miyabiknives.com
4. Joyce Chen
Joyce Chen offers a wide array of authentic Asian cookware designed for the home kitchen, including classic woks, steamers, and cooking utensils. The brand is known for its reliable construction and traditional designs, with most products priced affordably between $20 and $100.
As a direct contemporary, Joyce Chen shares Helen Chen's focus on authentic Asian culinary tools but is often seen as more geared toward casual home cooks and those just beginning their collection. It's a fantastic, accessible option for building a foundation of classic kitchen essentials.
Shop now at joycechen.com
5. Lodge
A legend in American cookware, Lodge is the go-to for durable, pre-seasoned cast iron pieces like skillets, Dutch ovens, and griddles. Praised for superior heat retention and a build that lasts for generations, their products offer incredible value, with iconic skillets often starting around $20.
Lodge’s specialty - heavy-duty cast iron - differs from Helen Chen’s lighter, Asian-focused tools, but the brands are kindred spirits in championing high-quality, long-lasting cookware. Both appeal to cooks who value craftsmanship and want to invest in heirloom-quality tools for their kitchen.
Shop now at lodgecastiron.com
6. Le Creuset
Le Creuset is famous for its vibrant, enameled cast iron cookware that serves as a statement piece in any kitchen. From their iconic French ovens to stoneware bakers, their products combine stunning aesthetics with unmatched performance and durability, positioning them at a premium price point (often $100-$500 and up).
While Le Creuset's heritage is in French-inspired cookware, it shares Helen Chen's appeal to culinary enthusiasts who view their tools as a long-term investment. If you're drawn to beautiful, high-performance pieces that are built to last a lifetime, Le Creuset belongs in your collection.
Shop now at lecreuset.com
7. Hario
Hailing from Japan, Hario is globally recognized for its exquisite coffee and tea brewing equipment, like the V60 pour-over brewer and elegant glass kettles. With prices generally between $20 and $100, their products are synonymous with precision engineering and a minimalist, functional design aesthetic.
Though Hario is primarily coffee-focused, their commitment to high-quality materials and thoughtful Japanese design aligns beautifully with Helen Chen's philosophy. For those who admire simple, functional, and authentic kitchen essentials, Hario’s tools are a perfect complement.
Shop now at hario.com
8. Oxo
Oxo is a household name for innovative and ergonomic kitchen tools, offering everything from peelers and measuring cups to salad spinners and storage containers. Famous for their "Good Grips" line, they focus on making everyday tasks easier and more comfortable, with most gadgets priced accessibly under $30.
Oxo's approach is more modern and universal compared to Helen Chen's specialized, traditional tools, but both brands share an unwavering emphasis on function-first, user-friendly design. Oxo is a go-to for dependable, well-designed essentials that make daily kitchen life better.
Shop now at oxo.com
9. All-Clad
All-Clad sets the standard for professional-grade, bonded stainless steel cookware. Favored by serious home chefs and professional kitchens alike, their pots and pans are renowned for superior heat conduction and incredible durability, with single pieces starting around $100 and sets reaching well over $1,000.
While All-Clad's focus is on classic Western-style stainless steel and not Asian-specific tools, its reputation for uncompromising craftsmanship and longevity puts it in the same league as Helen Chen. Both serve cooks who are willing to invest in professional-level performance.
Shop now at all-clad.com
10. Swiss Diamond
Swiss Diamond specializes in premium non-stick cookware featuring a patented coating reinforced with real diamond crystals for exceptional durability and performance. Prized for their easy release and even heating, their skillets and pans are typically priced from $80 to $300.
This brand offers a modern, high-tech alternative to more traditional cookware surfaces. While Helen Chen focuses on natural materials like bamboo and carbon steel, Swiss Diamond appeals to the same quality-conscious cook who prioritizes performance and wants hassle-free, long-lasting non-stick tools.
Shop now at swissdiamond.com
11. Calphalon
Calphalon is known for its wide selection of reliable cookware designed for the dedicated home cook, offering lines in hard-anodized non-stick, stainless steel, and ceramic. With a comfortable price range - often $40 to $300 - they provide durable, high-performance options for almost every kitchen task.
Though more mainstream than the specialized Helen Chen collection, Calphalon shares a commitment to providing quality and reliable performance at a great value. It's a solid, trusted option for stocking a kitchen with dependable, everyday workhorses.
Shop now at calphalon.com
12. Victorinox
Originally famous for the Swiss Army Knife, Victorinox also produces incredibly popular and highly-regarded kitchen cutlery. Their Fibrox Pro line is a favorite of both professional chefs and home cooks for its sharp, durable blade and non-slip handle, delivering exceptional quality at an accessible price point (knives often starting around $30).
Victorinox’s expertise is in blades rather than a broad range of cookware, but their philosophy of functional design, reliability, and precision craftsmanship is very similar to Helen Chen’s. They are the perfect brand for anyone seeking no-fuss, high-performance knives.
Shop now at victorinox.com
13. Mauviel
Since 1830, Mauviel has been crafting exquisite copper cookware for professional kitchens and discerning home cooks in France. Revered for its unparalleled heat conductivity and stunning beauty, Mauviel represents the ultimate in heritage cookware, with prices reflecting its artisanal quality, often ranging from $150 to over $1,000.
Mauviel's focus on traditional French copper places it in a different category than Helen Chen's Asian-inspired tools. However, both brands share a deep respect for artisanal manufacturing and creating heirloom pieces that are as beautiful as they are functional.
Shop now at mauvielusa.com
14. Barebones Living
Barebones Living creates thoughtfully designed kitchen tools, outdoor cookware, and garden implements with a rustic, heirloom aesthetic. Using durable materials like cast iron, steel, and sustainable wood, their products - priced from $20 to $150 - are built for both fireside cooking and stylish home kitchens.
Like Helen Chen, Barebones emphasizes quality craftsmanship and honest materials. Their style, however, leans more toward a rugged, vintage, open-fire feel that's perfect for anyone wanting to bring a touch of the artisanal or outdoorsy into their kitchen.
Shop now at barebonesliving.com
15. Lekue
Lekue is a Spanish brand at the forefront of innovative silicone kitchen solutions. They are known for clever tools like steam cases, microwavable popcorn makers, and flexible baking molds, all designed to make modern cooking faster, easier, and healthier, with most items priced between $10 and $50.
Lekue is the modern, colorful, space-saving counterpart to Helen Chen's traditional bamboo and metal tools. If you're looking for clever, easy-to-clean solutions for a minimalist kitchen, Lekue's smart silicone designs offer a fun and functional alternative.
Shop now at lekuestore.com
16. GreenPan
As a pioneer in healthy cookware, GreenPan is known for its non-toxic, ceramic non-stick pots and pans that are free of harmful chemicals like PFAS and PFOA. Ranging from $40 to $200, their collections offer an eco-conscious way to enjoy the convenience of non-stick cooking.
GreenPan's focus is on health-conscious, modern materials, which contrasts with Helen Chen’s traditional tools. Yet both brands strongly appeal to environmentally aware consumers who demand safe, reliable, and well-made essentials for their kitchen.
Shop now at greenpan.us
17. Zwilling J.A. Henckels
With a legacy of German engineering since 1731, Zwilling is a giant in the world of high-quality knives, cookware, and kitchen gadgets. Known for precision, durability, and a classic aesthetic, their products range from knives starting around $50 to premium cookware sets topping $300.
Much like Helen Chen, Zwilling is a trusted name for serious cooks who expect professional-grade performance from their tools. If you appreciate the precise craftsmanship in Helen Chen’s utensils, you’ll love the expert engineering that Zwilling brings to every knife and pan.
Shop now at zwilling.com
18. Bambu
Bambu specializes entirely in crafting kitchenware from certified organic bamboo, offering a delightful range of utensils, cutting boards, plates, and serveware. Their stylish and eco-friendly products are very affordable, typically falling between $10 and $50.
Like Helen Chen, Bambu makes sustainable bamboo a cornerstone of its brand. However, Bambu’s designs often lean more toward a casual, everyday aesthetic that's perfect for outfitting an entire kitchen in stylish, green essentials without a huge investment.
Shop now at bambukitchen.com
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