Shopping in Korea

When it comes to grocery shopping, there are lots of options here in Korea. However, knowing how to do it properly can be a bit tricky.

 Super markets: Supermarkets include Homeplus, E-Mart, and Lotte Mart. These are great places to go because they contain just about everything. From food to home appliances to pets, these supermarkets have it all. The food and meat is always fresh, however, they tend to be a bit more expensive than local markets. While convenient, you’ll tend to pay a little bit more if you shop at a supermarket.  The big plus though to shopping at supermarkets is the amount of meat and the freshness of that meat that you can buy there. It’s the best place to go to find meat from pigs, chickens, cows, and fish. It should be noted though that supermarkets in Korea are all closed Sunday.

Department stores: At the basement of most department stores is a supermarket/grocery store. These are just like Homeplus and E-Mart, but they are a lot more expensive than the big 3. Unlike supermarkets though, department store supermarkets are open on Sunday.

Local stores: These are small mom and pop stores that are located where apartment complexes are. Most just sell vegetables, but if you search, you can find a place that sells meat, too. Local markets tend to be a lot cheaper than super markets. Sometimes though, the produce or meat is just not very fresh. To find the best places to shop, you need to look around your neighborhood. The best local market near me sells super fresh meat and produce for less than half the price of a supermarket, but I have to walk about 7 blocks to get to it. If you are looking to save money, local markets are the best, just be prepared to do a bit of walking. Most of these local markets are open 7 days a week, but some are closed on certain days. Make sure to look or ask for when they are closed.

Korean words you need to know:

• 얼마예요?  (‘Ol-my-ye-yo?’)How much is it?
•  ___이/가 있어요? (‘___eul/reul isoyo?) Do you have___?
• 닭고기가 있어요? (‘Dalkgogl reul isoyo?) Do you have chicken?
• 당근이 있어요? (‘Dangeun eul isoyo?) Do you have carrot?
• ___이/가 어디에 있어요? (‘___ee/ga odi e isoyo?’)Where is ___?
• 소고기가 어디에 있어요? (‘Sogogi ga odi e isoyo?’)Where is the beef?
• 마늘이어디에 있어요? (‘maneul ee odi e isoyo?’)Where is the garlic?
• 닭고기(‘dalkgogi’) Chicken
• 돼지고기 (‘dwejigogi’)Pork
• 소고기 (‘sogogi’)Beef
• 당근 (‘danggeun’)Carrot
• 양파 (‘yangpa’) Onion
• 파 (‘pa’) Spring onion
• 마늘 (‘maneul’) Garlic
• 김 (‘kim’) Seaweed
• 계란 (gyeran’) Egg
• 두부 (‘dooboo’)Tofu
• 쌀 (‘ssal’) (Uncooked) Rice
• 참기름 (‘chamgireum’) Sesame Oil
• 간장 (‘ganjang’) Soy Sauce
• 기름 (‘gireum’) Oil
• 빵 (‘bbang’) Bread
• 물(‘mool’) Water
• 포도 (‘podo’) Grape
• 사과 (‘sagwa’) Apple
• 기위 Kiwi
• 배 (‘bae’) Pear
• 복숭아 (‘boksoonga’) Peach
• 바나나Banana