Grocery Shopping in Korea for Indians and South-East Asians
The very first thing that comes to our mind when we receive an offer to relocate to South Korea is about food.
Will I get food from my home country?
Will I get the necessary spices if I have to cook my food at home?
What if I am staying outside Seoul, in some remote place in Korea – will I be able to procure these grocery on a regular basis without travelling much?
But now with the emergence of various eCommerce (Online) Grocery Shops in Korea, buying Asian grocery has become more convenient. These online grocery shops mainly cater to Asians from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Middle East, Mauritius etc. who have relocated to Korea.
So there are two ways of buying your regular household grocery in South Korea.
1. Brick and Mortar Stores
Foreign Mart, National Food Mart and Marhabba in Itaewon are popular among expats for their regular grocery shopping. You get variety of Indian spices, ready to cook sabjis and parathas, oil, ghee, chakki atta, pulses, rice, snacks, sweets, hair oil, ginger-garlic paste, ground coconut, paneer, pickles, papad, pain -relief balm, isaphgol and many other items.
Ayesha Store in front of Suwon Subway Station also sells Indian Grocery (Thanks Saquib). It is near Akyeung Departmental store.
Other shops from where you can get your grocery is -
Bharat Store (Near Samsung) – 010 7355 5269
Halal Shop (Near Suwon Station) – 016 391 1786
In Daegu, there is a Pakistani shop owned by Mr. Nazakat Ali Mirza. You can call him on 011 521 8810 to get the groceries delivered at your doorstep.
Foreign Food Mart Map – Click image to zoom
2. Online Stores – Indian Shop Korea and Expat Mart Korea
Indian Shop Korea is a popular online grocery store in South Korea. They do home delivery all over Korea. They stock everything from
Flour – chakki fresh aata from classic and pillsbury, sooji, cornflour, besan
Rice – Basmati Rice from Kohinoor and Jasmine, Thai Rice, Poha
Pulses – Urad Dal, Masoor Dal, Toor Dal, Chana Dal, Nutrela, Green peas, Black Channa, Moong, Rajma
Spices – Chicken Masala, Hing, ajwain, sambar masala, anar dana, chilli powder, haldi (turmeric) powder, cumin seeds (jira), curry powder, garam masala, cardamom, fenugreek (methi) seeds, fennel (saunf) seeds, dalchini (Cinnamon), dry curry leaves
Pickle – Mango pickle, Mixed pickle, Garlic Pickle, Satranga pickle
Ready To Eat Food – Dal Makhani, Chole, Navratan Kurma, Dal tadka, Shahi Paneer, sarso ka saad, mutter paneer, butter chicken, pav bhaji, rajma masala, shahi paneer, bhindi masala, punjabi kadhi, aloo paratha,
General Groceries – isabhgol, hajmola, curd (Dahi), sabudana, chandan, mango powder, chyawanprash, kayam churna, agarbatti, face cream, hair oil, Milo, Horlicks, pasta and noodles
Dry Fruits – badam (almonds), pista, cashew, kismis (raisins), khajur (dates)
Frozen Meat (Halal) and Frozen vegetables
Sweets and Namkeen – soan papdi, gulab jamun, rasagulla, jalebi, haldiram snacks
Tea Leaves – Taj Mahal, Lipton, Everest tea masala
Cooking Oil/Ghee – amul ghee, aslee ghee, olive oil, canola oil, corn oil
Hair Oil and Beauty Product – Navratan Oil, Parachute Oil, Dabur Amla Oil, Keokarpin Oil, Vatika Oil, Rogan Badam Shirin Mehendi, Henna, Bindi, Eyebrow thread
Balm/Toothpaste/Facecream – Amrutanjan, Iodex, Zandu Balm, Vicks Inhaler, Fair & lovey Cream, Emami Fair n Handsome cream for men
Expat Mart Korea is a new entrant in Korea. It is a venture of Chakraa Group. Chakraa is an authentic Indian restaurant chain acclaimed as one of best Indian restaurants in Korea with branches in Hannam-Dong, Itaewon, Songtan and Suwon. As per their website, they are the one stop online grocery store for shopping fresh fruits, vegetables, frozen food and daily use essentials. They are committed to deliver outstanding value, personalized services and exceptional quality to their customers. To keep their promise, they keep sourcing the best products for the best prices on a daily basis. They do home delivery all over Korea. They stock everything from
Home Care – room freshener, phone card, cleaning spray, scotch brite and other items
Personal Care for Men and Women – henna powder, hair oil (dabur, navratna, parachute), tooth paste, after shave, shaving foam, razor, sanitary napkins, hand wash, soap, tissue paper, tampax, petroleum jelly, deo stick and other items
Grocery - Ready to Eat Food, Canned Food, Frozen Food, Lentils & Dals, Masala & Curry Powder, Oil & Vinegar, Pasta & Noodles, Herbs and Spices, Pickles and Sauces, Soups, Jam, Spreads, Honey, Rice, Flour (chakki fresh aata), salt and sugar, ajinomoto, hing, anar dana, pure ghee, tamarind (imli) paste, dosa batter, garam masala and other masala powders, sweets, snacks, jaggery(gur), dry fruits, rajma, ajwain, saunf, coconut milk, kasuri methi, fresh cream, poha and many more items.
Dairy – Cheese, Butter, Ghee, Spread, Fresh Sour Cream, Yoghurt, Condensed Milk and many other items.
Beverages – Boost, Horlicks, Tea, Coffee, Sherbats, Juices, Soda, Carbonated Drinks and many other items.
And last but not the least – Gol Gappas or Pani Puri
If you know of any other Grocery Shop in Korea (online as well as physical) then please let me know in the comment section below and I will update the post accordingly.
p
Hello
You have left out on the must buy ITEM of their new launch
“GOL GAPPAS”
EXCITING!!!!
TheKoreaGuide
Thanks for the input Prince Jacob. I have updated the post accordingly..
Saquib
1. Ayrsha restaurant at Suwon station also sells Indian groceries
2. National Food Mart @ itaewon keeps almost all groceries required
3. There is one restaurant near Suwon Station, I don’t remember it’s name it is run by Korean lady, also sell Indian grocery
TheKoreaGuide
Thanks Saquib. I am sure people coming to Suwon will benefit a lot from your post.
Hardik
Hi Saquib,
Are you from Suwon ? If yes then can you be in touch with me on aminhardik286@gmail.com I am coming to suwon for PhD and looking forward to make new friends.
Thanks
TheKoreaGuide
Dear Hardkik,
Please join the Indians in Korea group on facebook and you will be able to find more friends..
https://www.facebook.com/groups/IIK2002/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/indiakorea/
Hardik
Thanks Administrator. I joined it.
rich
I found this website:
http://www.highstreet.co.kr/
Also there are several stores in Sincheon (near Hongdae), exit 1 at the concrete park and exit 8 at the semi underground market just past the 2nd street in.
My favorite has been Costco (4 in Seoul, 1 in Daegon, 1 in Busan).
TheKoreaGuide
How can I forget Costco.. You pretty much get everything Costco.. and that new site highstreet.co.kr seems interesting.. Thanks Rich..
rich
If you are looking for food from the Philippines there are several stores in Haebangchon near Itaewon. Go to Noksapyeong Station (Line 6) and exit through Exit #2. Keep following the road until the signal, then follow the side street with the traditional Korean pots. This is nicknamed “Kimchee Gate” and is “the bottom of the hill”as this is the base of Namsan Mountain/Namsan Tower. These street has food from the US base, food from Costco, several Philippines stores including a shipping company, and various other foreigner restaurants but these are mainly aimed at Westerners.
Emarts in general but the Yongsan location specifically has a row of import food items and a number of imported drinks. Mainly aimed at at European, Americans, and Mexican foods but also has Japanese and possibly others. Check the large grocery stores near you or your work as I found the big stores will have a little import section. Also just because it is part of a chain, like Emart, doesn’t mean each location will have the same stock; try different ones.
TheKoreaGuide
I remember Kobawo store at Haebangchon had things stocked from Costco. I mean those who want to save the trouble for going to Costco could find quite a few things at Kobawo store but at a slightly higher price.
rich
Oh yeah, several stores on that street have stock from Costco. And let’s be honest, everything is big sized at Costco (hard to carry on a bus). It can be worth it to pay a little more and skip the membership fee, travel time, and finding where the Costco is, lol.
Good job remembering the name of that place btw. It took me forever to learn it.
TheKoreaGuide
Yeah Kobawo makes it convenient. I remember I used to buy those oatmeal pack from Kobawo. Plus they used to sell those muffins and cookies too from costco..
But then apart from Costco are there any other outlets. Or is Costco the only one. Costco can be good for those who have their own vehicle or transportation to carry stuff.
rich
There is a new place across the street from Kobawo called Sugar Daddy, but I’ve heard they only do made to order.
There might be some similar muffins/cookies taken from the Yongsan base, but I’m just guessing.
There are a few muffin stores, one across the street from the entrance to Haebangchon (“Monster” something I think) and one place in Hongdae so probably a few more scattered through Seoul.
ani
Hi,
Plz anybody give ayesha store full addres in korean language and also tell me did they sell indian rice varieties or thai white rices?
Rashid Ahmed
I have a friend who lives in Changwon, Jinhae-gu, and I am trying to send her some Pakistani or Indian mangoes. Where in Korea can I find some good mangoes and have them ship it .
My SKYPE ID: rashid.ahmed445 and my email address is: ahmed.rashid82@gmail.com
rich
I’m afraid mangoes are pretty expensive here and there is not the selection like in Pakistan.
If you want to order online I recommend http://gmarket.co.kr Their English site is http://english.gmarket.co.kr
I also found some on Emart’s website (http://www.emart.com) but looks like everything will be in Korean.
FYI mango spelled in Korean is 망고.
Mr sac
Dear Hardkik,
I live Ha Noi, Viet Nam.
Well come please :
http://tienthanhspices.com/
Yahoo: bqsac@yahoo.com
Slype: bqsac2