Asian supermarket

"Super 88" redirects here. For the automobile, seeOldsmobile 88.

A selection of instant noodles in aMitsuwa Marketplacestore

In non-Asian countries, anAsian supermarketlargely describes a category ofgrocery storesthat focuses and stocks items and products imported from countries located in theFar East(e.g.East,SoutheastandSouth Asia).

These stores go further than a typical quintessential supermarket in that they sell general merchandise, goods, and services related to specific Asian countries of origin, immigrant communities or the ethnic enclave that the store may be located in.

They would also often tend to diversify by carrying products from other fellow Asian countries;Japanesesupermarkets would carry someChinese,Indonesian,KoreanandSingaporeanproducts; Korean supermarkets carry some Chinese and Japanese products; Taiwanese supermarkets carry Chinese, Korean, Japanese,Thai,Vietnameseproducts, and so on.

Overview

Asian supermarkets carry items and ingredients generally well-suited forAsian cuisinesand simply not found or considerably more expensive in mostWesternsupermarkets, due to low turnover and small quantities.

While it primarily caters to a single particular Asian cultural group, many also additionally caters to other Asian immigrant groups who do not have easy access to foodstuffs from their country of origin. These are prevalent in Asian enclaves in the United States and Canada. Urban centers such asNew York City,Los Angeles,Washington, D.C.,San Diego,Chicago,Houston,Dallas,Atlanta,San Francisco,Philadelphia,St. Louis,andSeattlehaveChinatowns,Little Indias,Little Saigons,Koreatowns,orJapantownsand other ethnic neighborhoods with specialty small business, but surrounding areas or smaller cities will have Asian supermarkets providing the same but reduced amenities for the same purposes.

Nijiya Market,a Japanese chain market, in San Diego, California

Sometimes, these markets are surrounded by an Asian-themedstrip mall.The markets are generally ethnocentric and may be mainly Chinese, Indonesian, Japanese or Filipino market; however, in many areas such supermarkets cater to a more diverse Asian population as a means ofdiversificationand Pan-Asian cooperation.

It is this diversity that led to the establishment of Pan-Asian goods in a one-stop shop with aisles selling foods in common and others dedicated to other groups such as Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Indian, Malaysian, Singaporean, Vietnamese, Thai, Taiwanese, Korean, and others. Some Asian supermarkets inAustraliaand theUnited Statesalso stock Pacific food items aimed at thePacific Islandercommunities in those countries.Similarly, some Asian supermarkets in theNetherlandsstock items fromSurinameaimed at the large Surinamese communities ofIndianandJavaneseorigins found in the country.

Despite sourcing from many multiple nations, items stocked are very different depending on their target ethnic market. For example, in Chinese and Vietnamese supermarkets it is common for animal meat to be hung on hooks for display; in Japanese supermarkets this is less common except for seafood. Chinese supermarkets may also carry Japanese products but the range of selection would be very limited as compared to a Japanese supermarket. For example, for green tea, in a Japanese market, an entire aisle may be dedicated to it, stocking a wide variety and grades of regionalloose-leafteas, whereas the Chinese market may simply carry a few brands of Japanese tea bags and bottled teas, while focusing on chrysanthemum tea.

Chains

T & T Supermarketchain in Toronto, Ontario

Though most Asian supermarkets tend to be neighborhood-oriented, small and independent and may carry similar or even identical names, many large chains of stores have floor area that is comparable to other American supermarket chain stores. Among the largest of these chains isH Mart,which has 66 locations.

Major chains include:

• Chinese and Pan-Asian:Hong Kong Supermarket(US-6 locations),Kam Man Food(East Coast US), Hoo Hing (UK), Miracle Supermarket (Australia-New South Wales), Grand Asia Market (US),Nations Fresh Foods(Canada-Ontario), Lion Supermarket (US- Silicon Valley), zTao Marketplace (US-Texas, Georgia), G&L Supermarket (Good Luck PlazaHảo vận quảng tràng)(Chinese, Southeast Asian, Indian, Korean and Japanese)(Australia-New South Wales)Asian FoodsÁ châu thực phẩm(Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Malaysian, Indonesian, Singaporean, Indian, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Filipino and Korean)(Australia-Queensland)iFresh Supermarket
• Filipino and Pan-Asian:Seafood City(US-25 stores, Canada-5 stores),Island Pacific Supermarket(US-California), Manila Oriental Market(Filipino, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Indian and Korean)(US-California),Amazing Oriental ( đông phương hành )(Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Malaysian, Filipino, Sri Lankan, Taiwanese, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Korean, Singaporean, Surinamese and Thai)(Netherlands)
• Hmong and Pan-Asian: Shuang Hur Supermarket (3 stores inMinneapolisandSaint Paul,Minnesota
• Indian and Pan-Asian:Patel Brothers(US-54 stores), Subzi Mandi Cash & Carry (US-10 stores, Canada-5 stores), Sabzi Mandi (Canada-7 stores), Panchvati Supermarket (Canada-5 stores), MKS Spices 'N Things (Australia-Victoria), Asian Food Centre (Canada-7 stores), India Town Food Centre (Canada-2 stores), Indian Grocery Store (UK-London)
• Japanese:Marukai(US, 14 stores),Nijiya Market(US, 12 stores),Mitsuwa Marketplace(US, 11 stores),Uwajimaya(Greater Seattle and Greater Portland, OR),Yaohan(defunct)
• Korean:H Mart(84 stores as of 2021),Zion Market(US, 6 stores), Assi Market (US, 3 stores), Arirang Supermarket (US, 2 stores), Galleria Supermarket (Canada-Greater Toronto),Oseyo(UK,6 stores), Lotte Plaza (US, 14 stores)
• Taiwanese:99 Ranch Market(US),T & T Supermarket(Canada), 168 Market (US-California, Nevada, 6 stores)
• Vietnamese:Shun Fat Supermarket(US-15 locations)
• Indonesian: Maya Asian Market, currently 1 store inLynnwood, Washington

Online

Due to concentration of immigrant communities in metropolitan areas, few Asian supermarket chain stores are located in non-metro areas. In order to better compete and serve this market, a few of these chains have begun online sales, which compete directly with the likes of general online e-commerce merchandisers such asAmazon.com,Walmart.com,ShopeeandRakuten.

In Asia

Major operators in Asia such asAEON,Don Quijote(Don Don Donki) andJuscooperate somewhat like Asian supermarkets, as they offer products not normally found in their home countries; as such they also serve as a platform for selling regional Asian cuisines and foods from their origin country. An example would be selling a Singaporean drink in Japan and vice versa, when they are both Asian countries.

Operations

Most of these supermarkets are started and operated by Asian immigrant entrepreneurs and their families. Others are started by investors of existing corporate conglomerates already headquartered in Asia, namelyMainland China,Hong Kong,Japan,thePhilippines,Singapore,South Korea,andTaiwan.

Asian supermarkets can range from smallmom-and-popgrocery stores to largebig-box storesand may cater specifically to one ethnic Asian immigrant group or to a wide pan-Asian crowd. They serve the generally unserved or underserved immigrant and descendant population. They are usually the main attraction for food shopping within overseas Asianshopping mallsandChinatowns.Asian supermarkets may re-occupy older buildings formerly anchored by mainstream regional or national supermarket chains.

Kam Man FoodinQuincy, Massachusetts

Chineseshopping centers and supermarkets have been constructed using traditionalChinese architecture,and provide services catered toward immigrant customers. Examples include Asianrestaurants,beauty salons,bakeries,foreign filmrental stores,travel agencies,book stores,and other businesses.

In recent years, some mainstream markets have attempted to compete with Asian supermarkets for the minority customer base by stocking certain Asian goods as well as directing marketing towards various Asian ethnic immigrant populations. Conversely, some Asian supermarkets attempt to appeal to the general population. Asian markets are reputed to have lower prices than the mainstream chains.

Asian supermarkets represent a new trend in which Asian immigrants no longer settle in old enclaves such asChinatown, San Franciscobut in suburbs where shopping centers provide services as well as cultural amenities, such as hosting ethnic festivals, shows and dance.

One of the major redevelopments highlighted in the press has beenBuford Highwayin the Atlanta suburb ofDoraville, Georgia,where Asian supermarkets have done brisk business in a once-blighted neighborhood. Such supermarkets have also revitalized the once-rundown sections of Bellaire Blvd inHouston, Texas,and turned it into a thriving new Asian shopping district.There are also many competing Chinese supermarkets in theSouthern California Chinatownsand Vietnamese markets anchoring communities such asLittle Saigon.

Products

Shelves of Asian canned goods in a99 Ranch Marketstore

Asian branded products

Category	Examples
Vegetable	nori/gimandgreen laver(parae/aonori),bamboo shoots,bok choy,bean sprouts,welsh onions,ginger,kang kong,mustard greens,daikon
Fruit	durian,pomelo,Asian pear,mango,lychee,mangosteen,rambutan,coconut
Grain	jasmine rice,basmati rice
Beverage	soy milk,chrysanthemum tea,bubble tea,sake,soju,green tea,thai iced tea,oolong tea,Ramune
Seasoning	chili,soy sauce,Phu Quoc fish sauce
Ingredients	black bean,century eggs,ginseng
Packaged snacks	prawn crackers,Pocky,rice cakes,Tobi nuts, dried Jackfruit
Merchandise	rice cookers,woks,fashion magazines,newspapers,cigarettes
Bakery	Chinese pastries,Curry puffs,banh mi
Seafood	fish,shellfish,sushi
Delicacies	sea cucumber,shark fin,abalones
Meat	Chinese sausage

International brands

Controllingpolity	Brand
Australia	Maharajah's Choice, Pandaroo
China	Haw flakes,Tsingtao Beer
Canada	Nanak's, Surati
Cambodia	Angkor Beer
Hong Kong	Lee Kum Kee,Vitasoy,Bamboo Garden,Sau Tao,Amoy Foods,Swire Sugars
India	Amul,India Gate,Old Monk
Indonesia	Indofood,Kopiko,Teh botol,Bintang Beer
Japan	Calbee,Calpis,Glico,Kikkoman(JFC),Meiji,Maruchan,Nissin Foods,Shirakiku,Pocari Sweat,Ajinomoto,Yamasa,S&B,House Foods,Kagome,Sapporo,Morinaga(Mori-Nu),Yakult,Asahi,Kirin,Ito-en,Yamamotoyama,Kadoya,Nagatanien(ja),Nishimoto
Korea	CJ CheilJedang,Crown,Haitai,HiteJinro,Lotte,Nongshim,Orion,Ottogi,Paldo,Pulmuone,Samyang Food
Malaysia	Brahim's,Baba's (பாபா), Julie's,Munchy's,Rotiboy
Nepal	Wai Wai
Philippines	Barrio Fiesta,Goldilocks,Tobi Nuts,San Miguel Brewery,Mama Sita's
Singapore	100plus,Axe Brand,Ayam,Asian Home Gourmet,Irvins,Koka noodles,Marigold,Pokka,Prima Taste,Tiger Beer,Yeo's,Tee Yih Jia,Tiger Balm,TWG Tea,Ya Kun
Sri Lanka	Dilmah
Taiwan	Uni-President Enterprises Corporation,Wei Chuan,I-Mei,Companion Foods,Chin Chin,Ve Wong,Kimlan Foods,Hsin Tung Yang,Want Want,Chimei
Thailand	Chaokoh, Aroy-D,Thai President Foods(Mama), Tiparos, Lobo,Malee,Charoen Pokphand Foods,Vitamilk
Vietnam	Vinamilk,Bao Long,Trung Nguyên
United Kingdom	Patak's,Sharwood's
United States	King's Hawaiian,Thai Kitchen and Simply Asia,Sriracha,VH,Sun Noodle, Sun Foods LLC (Hinode)

See also

• Religious goods store
• Chinatown
• Koreatown
• Japantown
• Vietnamtown
• Little Manila
• Night market
• Wet market
• Toko (shop),similar type of shop in the Netherlands
• List of supermarket chains in the United States

External links

• "The New Chinatown? Try the Asian Mall",The New York Times—article on the growing trend of Asian supermarkets in the United States
• Asian food dollars go east—article on impact of Asian supermarkets in New Zealand
• "Grass Jelly, Anyone? 99 Ranch Brings Asian Flavor to East Bay"—newspaper article from Berkeley, CA