One of the greatest adventures of living in Korea happens every week at Emart — and we are here to give you the full tour.
The other night, Adam and I were at emart doing some shopping and we wanted to share with you some of the many interesting finds here at the grocery store…
first, we have packaged fruit, most fruit comes in boxes or containers. these grapes smell just like grape juice. they have pits and most Koreans suck out the inside and do not eat the skin.
Next, you can find bags of rice….there are actually a ton of different kinds…and you can guy different seeds (barely etc.) and they will mix it in the bag of seeds for you. Most bags are 20 lb bags I think.
Another staple in Korea is tofu, here is a picture of the many different kinds.
and then of course sea weed. it is used in soup, gimbap, side dishes etc.
A huge favorite, red pepper chili paste. this is used in just about every meal and in every dish.
Yup, an isle full of soy sauce
And, Adams personal favorite, the tuna fish isle. there are probably 10 different kinds of tuna. spicy red pepper tuna of course, tuna for kimchi, tuna with potatoes and corn, regular tuna, higher grade tuna, mustard tuna etc.
So, that there are just a few of the local buys…there are also fish cakes, tons of live and frozen fish, rice noodles (i dont like them) curry and isles and isles of ramen…emart is a fun way to spend an afternoon…oh and one more thing, look at the cute outfits that all of the sample girls wear!
Q: What is Emart in South Korea? A: Emart is South Korea’s largest discount supermarket chain — think a Korean version of Walmart or Target but with an infinitely more interesting food section. The stores are enormous, immaculately organized and genuinely fascinating to explore as an expat. Sample ladies in coordinating outfits roam the aisles offering tastings and the variety of products — especially in the rice, tofu, seaweed and fermented paste sections — is unlike anything you will find in a Western supermarket.
Q: What Korean grocery staples should you know about before visiting Korea? A: The essentials of any Korean kitchen include gochujang red pepper paste which goes into almost every dish, doenjang soybean paste, multiple varieties of tofu, dried and fresh seaweed, an enormous selection of rice varieties that can be custom mixed in store, and tuna — so many kinds of tuna. Adam’s personal highlight was discovering an entire aisle dedicated exclusively to tuna including spicy red pepper tuna, kimchi tuna, tuna with corn and potatoes and mustard tuna among many others.
Q: How is fruit sold in Korean grocery stores? A: Fruit in Korea is typically sold in boxes or containers rather than loose and is treated almost like a premium product. Korean grapes in particular are extraordinary — they smell exactly like grape juice and most Koreans eat them by sucking out the inside and discarding the skin. Fruit gifting is a significant cultural tradition in Korea which explains the beautiful premium packaging.
Q: How does Korean rice shopping work? A: Korea takes rice extremely seriously. Emart stocks many different varieties and some stores will custom mix different grains — barley, various seeds and rice types — right in the bag for you based on your preferences. Most bags are sold in large 20 pound quantities reflecting how central rice is to daily Korean cooking.
Q: Is grocery shopping in South Korea affordable for expats? A: Generally yes — staple Korean ingredients like tofu, seaweed, rice, fermented pastes and ramen are very affordable. Fresh fruit and some imported products are significantly more expensive. The best value shopping comes from embracing Korean staples fully which as it turns out are also some of the most nutritious and delicious foods you will ever eat.
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Adam, that is awesome. How long did it take to drag him out of the tuna isle? I swear you and Billy and tuna. Between the two of you, I can't even smell tuna without thinking of one of you.
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