Asian markets are my absolute favorite place to shop ever since I was a kid! Wish I had a 99 Ranch Market or H Mart near me… For those that may not know, there are different types of asian markets!
First is the classic seafood market; this is where you’ll find vast seafood selections along with the live seafood in tanks. If it’s your first time in one, just be a bit wary of the potentially overwhelming smell! Next are the smaller local asian markets that carry the basics and a little more. These are really common but depending on where you are, they may be more specific to certain cultures (korean marts, chinese stores, etc). Lastly, my favorite are the bigger international asian markets that carry a wide range of products that it can be overwhelming!
Here’s a hopefully helpful guide to navigate your time there, and I hope you enjoy exploring all the fun aspects of the market!
Beauty Section
Some asian markets will have a little beauty section! There’s a lot of different types of skincare, make-up, and beauty items – popular Korean brands, smaller Asian brands, and more. I loved the displays and packaging at mine, as shown in the picture! Depending on where you are located, the selections will vary and so will the size of this section. Better buying here than waiting a few days or weeks for it to be shipped to you right?
Seafood Section
One of the most notable things you notice in an asian market is the seafood section! Or, well, the smell of one – you’ve been warned. A regular store has fish and other seafood on ice already, ready to cut or weigh however much of it you buy. A Red Lobster has a lobster tank everyone enjoys watching. Well, an asian market has both of those aspects! There’s a section where there’s already seafood on ice – including some more interesting finds like fish heads with their eyes. But the section all kids love, are the tanks full of fish, lobsters, and crabs. An asian seafood market will have even more seafood available, like a giant bin of fresh crabs you could pluck for a seafood boil. Do you know how to pick the best/freshest seafood?
Meat Section
Definitely not your usual grocery store’s selection of meats so try to go into this with an open-mind. One of the bigger asian markets near me had LOTS of sections – halal options, Silkie chickens, bulgogi beef, pork belly, animal tongues and feet, and even more meat options. I’m not much of a meat person – more of a seafood and chicken gal, but this section must be an adventurous meat lover’s dream.
Frozen Sections
Okay, I’m a sucker for frozen foods because they’re just so EASY and SIMPLE to make! Anyone else? This is my favorite section in ANY market, but the asian market is just so much more interesting! Now, I haven’t tried many so I don’t know which brands are the best to get. This also depends on what foods you’re getting and are available to you. Usually, frozen sections have the most variety. From your classic dumplings, potstickers, scallion pancakes, and other appetizers to types of noodles to unique desserts (boba popsicles, durian ice cream, mochi)! There’s WAY more than that too – a sign to keep exploring the frozen sections!
Produce Section
Each asian market I’ve been to has such varied produce sections! One had dragonfruit, lychee, and all the possible greens you could ever want in the whole of Asia. Another had all the veggies you could want and great deals on coconuts. This one (as pictured above) had so many fruits! Love this section because of the many cultures represented. Super amazing for vegans and vegetarians!
Snack Sections
Everyone’s favorite sections! Depending on how big your asian market is, you’ll definitely have the classics (Hi-Chew candy, shrimp chips, etc) but it’s the unique ones we’re all interested in! To start, there’s multiple snack sections: candy, healthy, chips, nuts/fruits, and desserts. In the candy section, you’ll have chocolates, Pocky, lollipops, gum, gummy/jelly candies, etc. The nuts and fruits snack sections are different from the healthy section – believe it or not. There’s lots of dried fruits, preserved fruits, classic haw flakes, roasted nuts, pea crisps, peanut and sesame brittle, and more. The “healthy” section is what I call the aisle with the rice crisps and those types of snacks – the ones that help you “lose weight” but are pretty bland (in my opinion). Anyways, moving on to CHIPS, the real reason we go to the snack section. I found some foreign Lays flavors: cucumber, lobster roll, squid, etc! So cool and yummy! Finally, the desserts section – mochi, pineapple cakes, and pastries!
Drinks Section
Can’t have all this food and snacks without drinks! At one of the bigger asian markets, there was such an impressive range of drinks! There was Milkis, herbal teas, fruity teas, juices, Ramunes, sparkling waters, sodas, milks and so many coffees (both iced and hot)! I even tried papaya milk because that was an option! Some of the smaller asian markets will still have lots of drink varieties so don’t worry!
Other Sections
This post is already super long isn’t it? Are you tired of reading this, if you made it here? The rest of an asian market is pretty standard to a regular grocery store – pantry items, baking ingredients, spices, instant food, condiments, etc. A lot cheaper and easier to drive to your asian market for Gochujang than to order it on Amazon and wait for it to be shipped and delivered! Also, soooooo many different and authentic brands!
Have you been to an asian market? What was your favorite part or unique product you found/tried?
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