Grocery Stores

Grocery stores and markets are very common and integral to Korea because of the significance food has in Korean culture. They cater to both locals and foreigners quite comfortably, providing a variety of food at affordable prices. Remember, the Korean diet focuses on vegetables and fish, so poultry and beef may be more expensive on the economy.

  • Tickets can be bought online or at the station 
  • It is recommended to purchase tickets in advance, when possible

Styles of Shops:

Major Grocery Stores

  • Ex. Lotte Mart, Emart, Homeplus, Costco

Small or Local Grocery Stores

  • Most are “marts” or end with 마트 in their name

Convenience Stores

  • GS25, CU, 7-Eleven, Emart24

The Basics

Cheese: American style sliced sandwich cheese is available at most grocery stores. However, other cheeses besides mozzarella may be harder to find outside of more westernized stores. Some of the major grocery stores do offer a foreign or gourmet cheese section. 

Milk: Cow’s milk is easy to find off base, however, most don’t list a fat percentage and are between 3.6-4% whole milk. Red labels tend to be whole milks, blue labels tend to be skim or lower fat milks. Alternative milks, like soy or almond, and flavored milks like banana, strawberry, and chocolate, are also easy to find. 

Fresh Produce: Fresh produce is king at local markets! You can easily find wide varieties of inexpensive, in-season fruits and vegetables year-round. After the new year, watch for citrus, pomegranate, and strawberries to be on sale. In Spring, keep an eye out for tomatoes, salad greens, cherries, and radishes. Summer is lush with everything from melons to cucumbers, grapes, and peaches. And Autumn brings great prices on apples, pears, and persimmons. 

Baking Items: Pantry basics like flours, white and brown sugar, baking powder and baking soda, and a wide variety of pastry and bakery ingredients are easy to find in both major and small grocery stores. Butters, heavy creams, and flavorings are readily available as well. 

Snacks: Just like in the U.S., there are entire aisles dedicated to sweet and salty treats – including well-known brands from the U.S. along with local favorites.

Pro-Tips:

  • Shoppers bag or box their own groceries after checking out, either at the end of the checkout lane or at a bagging/boxing station nearby. It’s okay to put your items back into your cart to organize them the way you’d prefer once you’re away from the checkout lane. 
  • It is recommended to bring reusable bags. Plastic or paper ones may be available, but usually at an additional cost. 
  • Most major supermarkets are closed twice a month to encourage shopping at local markets. Check their websites or contact Korea’s tourist hotline “1330” for specific hours if you plan to go on a Wednesday or Sunday. 
  • Most major chains and local grocery stores, as well as convenience stores, accept U.S. Credit Cards like Navy Federal Credit Union or USAA. Check with your bank if you aren’t sure, and always bring Korean Won (KRW) just in case. 
  • If you are visiting a market, it is recommended to bring Korean Won. 

Traditional Markets

Open-air traditional markets are a great place to purchase local fruits and vegetables, as well as household goods for you and your family year-round! These local markets let you experience life in Korea while browsing fresh produce and other necessities at excellent prices, plus you can enjoy sampling some local “street food.” 5-Day markets are common, and although many are open daily, the days ending in their “5-Day” designation (typically 1/6, 2/7, 3/8, 4/9, and 5/0) will have a much broader selection of motivated vendors. Bargaining is welcomed, and often you’ll find the same item for sale at nearby booths, so don’t be afraid to counter-offer or shop around! 

Below is a list of items that you can typically find at markets: 

  • Clothes, Household Supplies, Shoes 
  • Fresh Fruit and Vegetables 
  • Fish and Seafood (often live) as well as various meats and offals 
  • Local Honey and Teas 
  • Rice Cakes (called ‘tteok’) 
  • Homemade Mandu (stuffed dumplings) and Noodles 
  • Beans, Pulses, Grains, and Millets 
  • Homemade Doenjang (a fermented soybean paste similar to miso), and Gochujang (a spicy red pepper paste used in sauces and soups) 
  • Dried Fruits, Vegetables, and Seafood 
  • Roasted Seaweed, Tofu, and Banchan varieties 
  • Hottoek (a traditional Korean sweet pancake), Waffles (often shaped like fish), Meat-on-a-Stick, and other snacks 

Making Kunsan Home Topics

Grocery and Markets