The Market – Go Go Mart
📍 Address: Brisbane Rd, Biggera Waters QLD 4216 Australia
Go Go Mart, an Asian supermarket specializing in Japanese ingredients, boasts an excellent location directly across the intersection from the huge outlet mall ‘Harbour Town’. It’s a beloved store not only among Japanese residents on the Gold Coast but also many international students and local residents who crave Japanese food.
The store is a bit compact with narrow aisles, but the shelves are packed with products just like a Japanese supermarket. From rice, frozen foods, retort pouch meals, and snacks to daily necessities, almost all items needed for home cooking are covered. One of the reasons it’s loved by locals is the warm, unique Japanese customer service, such as the manager and staff carefully bagging purchases at the register, even while in Australia.
Smart Shopping Tips: Real Price Trends and Recommended Items
Go Go Mart’s biggest appeal is the affordability of its ‘seasonings’ and ‘rice’, which are strong allies for those who cook at home. Essential Japanese condiments like soy sauce, mirin, and cooking sake, along with daily staple tofu, are priced very reasonably compared to other Asian shops on the Gold Coast. If you’re not particular about the brand, delicious Japanese rice can also be found at a very affordable price.
On the other hand, while some say certain products (like Ajinomoto) feel a bit pricey, the ‘meat’ sold here is worth buying even if it’s slightly more expensive. They offer a wide variety of ‘thinly sliced meat’, ‘offal for motsunabe’, ‘wagyu beef’, and ‘yakitori skewers’ which are hard to find in typical Australian local supermarkets. Despite being frozen meat, it’s very fresh with minimal drip and less of the distinctive pork odor. It’s an absolute must-visit spot for those days you want to enjoy authentic yakiniku or a hot pot party at home.
Deeper Ways to Enjoy and Surrounding Area Information
Fresh, locally-made ingredients receive strong support from long-term residents. Hidden gems like organic handmade tofu made around the Gold Coast and highly-rated delicious bread line the shelves. The store can get crowded with customers making bulk purchases on weekends, so weekdays during the day are the best time to browse at your leisure.
Furthermore, located on the same premises as Go Go Mart are the conveyor belt sushi restaurant ‘Sushi Train’ and ‘Kabachi-ya’, a local favorite known for its delicious old-fashioned ramen. A classic and blissful way for Gold Coast residents to spend a holiday is to shop for Japanese ingredients at Go Go Mart after visiting Harbour Town, then slurp down some ramen at the adjacent Kabachi-ya. Be sure to stop by!
