Grocery Shopping
Local area – 2 blocks.
The best thing about shopping for groceries in Korea is that usually you just walk a block or 2, to your local “vegetable lady”, “fruit lady”, “fish lady”, butcher or small corner supermarket. Fresh fruit, veggies, fish and meat are brought in daily for you to enjoy. Doing most of your shopping this way will save you 15-40% compared to the larger supermarkets or department stores.
Large Supermarkets or Department Stores
Even here it is mostly natural, unprocessed foods. The frozen food aisle is very small compared to what you’re used to back home. Even the variety of canned goods is surprisingly low. Most foreigners don’t mind because if they don’t like to cook, they eat out every meal. Two of my co-teachers have been here 5 and 3 months, respectively, and have yet to turn on their stoves.
Western Options in the larger grocery stores.
- Cereals
- Potato chips and popcorn
- Nachos
- Peanut Butter
- Fresh seafood is amazingly cheap!
What you may miss from home…
- Good quality cheese
- Variety in the types of breads
- Frozen / instant food options
- Beef - available, but expensive.
There are 3 Costco’s in Korea and this may be a great excuse for a road trip!
