The Scoop on Asian Supermarkets in Mexico City: Essential for Home Cooking
Mexico City (CDMX) has seen rapid internationalization in recent years, with a growing community of Asian immigrants. Consequently, Asian supermarkets—which can be called a ‘lifeline’ for food—have emerged throughout the city, serving locals, long-term residents, and students alike.
These supermarkets are a godsend when you miss the taste of home, offering Japanese soy sauce and miso, Korean kimchi, authentic Chinese spices, and more. However, this is Mexico. Shopping with the same mindset as in Japan or other Asian countries might lead to unexpected traps, such as expired products or billing errors.
This article carefully selects five truly useful Asian supermarkets in Mexico City, detailing their unique appeals, must-buy items, and ‘savvy navigation tips’ specific to the local scene.
Súper Mikasa
📍 Address: San Luis Potosí 173, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
“Súper Mikasa” in the Roma Norte district (Roma Nte.) is truly an oasis for Japanese residents and local Japanese food enthusiasts in Mexico City. It boasts a rich selection of imported Japanese ingredients, from seasonings and snacks to frozen foods – you can find ‘just about everything’ you need.
As imported goods, prices can be several times higher than in Japan, but long-term residents generally adopt the mindset of ‘it’s Mexico, so it can’t be helped.’ Amidst this, the bento boxes and take-out side dishes prepared in-store offer outstanding cost performance. For travelers exploring abroad or students tired of cooking, these readily available, delicious Japanese flavors are a true delight. Furthermore, they offer tasty bread, sashimi, and even ramen from ‘Ten Teke Ten,’ said to be Mexico’s best, undoubtedly enriching your weekend dining experience.
Local expatriates and students flock here, so the store is always bustling, making it a spot where you can feel the pulse of the local Japanese community.
Asian Market
📍 Address: Hamburgo 97a, Juárez, Cuauhtémoc, 06600 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
Located in the Juárez district (near Zona Rosa), ‘Asian Market’ is a large supermarket packed with groceries from across Asia, primarily focusing on Korean ingredients. Its large refrigerated cases display meats, seafood, and fresh vegetables, while its extensive inventory also includes Chinese snacks, cold drinks, and even cooking utensils—boasting almost anything you need for Asian cuisine.
The absolute must-buy item at this store is ‘kimchi.’ Its excellent flavor and high quality are widely acclaimed in reviews, attracting a stream of repeat customers. On the other hand, Kimbap (Korean seaweed rolls) are relatively small for their price and tend to get soggy over time, so they are not highly recommended for those prioritizing cost-effectiveness.
As a precaution, billing errors at the register (such as being charged for items you didn’t buy) can occur. Therefore, it’s essential to check your receipt on the spot before leaving the store. Also, there is no dedicated parking, so access will be by foot, ride-sharing app, or by diligently searching for nearby street parking.
Super Asiático
📍 Address: Laguna de Mayran 250, Anáhuac I Secc, Miguel Hidalgo, 11320 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
Located in the Anáhuac district, ‘Super Asiático’ stands out among Mexico City’s Chinese supermarkets for its ‘affordable prices,’ despite being reasonably close to the city center. Large bottled soy milk, in particular, offers excellent cost performance, making it a strong ally for students looking to save money.
This supermarket is clearly optimized for the ‘local expat community,’ exuding a slightly deep, authentic vibe. If you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for, staff might seem gruff. However, if you ask in Spanish, they might surprisingly help you find other stores on a map or even offer free tea (Wang Laoji) at checkout, revealing a ‘tsundere’ (initially cold but later warm) and genuinely kind side.
A practical shopping tip: products like rice, pre-packaged in small plastic bags, carry a risk of insect contamination. It’s safer to choose products in their ‘original packaging (unopened manufacturer’s packaging).’ Also, while the adjacent boba tea shop serves delicious drinks, the staff’s service can be quite dry, and they might not apologize for order mistakes. Approach with a generous Mexican and Asian mindset.
Super Asia (亚洲商场)
📍 Address: Calz. Gral. Mariano Escobedo 220, Los Manzanos, Miguel Hidalgo, 11320 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
Located on Calz. Gral. Mariano Escobedo in the Miguel Hidalgo district, ‘Super Asia’ is a large supermarket perfect for those who enjoy a treasure hunt. From teapots and shochu to coffee and even a ‘Korean Red Bull,’ it offers an astonishingly diverse range of Asian products.
However, it can be a bit challenging for students and single individuals. Japanese products are scarce, and most seasonings and ingredients come in ‘large bags,’ which may not be suitable for small households. Furthermore, expired products can sometimes be subtly mixed in with displayed goods, making a thorough check of the back label before adding items to your cart an absolute must.
The biggest hurdle is the ‘customer service.’ Staff might curtly state the price while looking at their phones, indicating a very dry service experience. However, it’s best to accept this as part of the ‘flavor’ of local Chinese supermarkets in Mexico City and enjoy it as an entertainment venue for discovering unique, niche products not found in Japan.
Super Oriental / Super Kise, S.A. de C.V.
📍 Address: Av. División del Nte. No. 2515-Loc A, Del Carmen, Coyoacán, 04100 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
A long-loved establishment in the Coyoacán district, ‘Super Oriental (Super Kise)’ is more than just a supermarket; it’s a hub for Asian culture. It offers a wide array of products, from Asian ingredients from China, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, and Thailand, to clothing and decorative items. The selection of spices, in particular, is impressive, making it an indispensable store for long-term residents who want to cook authentic Asian dishes.
The greatest feature of this store is the ‘language & cooking classes’ held on weekends. With diverse classes covering Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), sushi making, and various Asian cuisines, the owner himself teaches in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. The prices are reasonable, offering an excellent opportunity to integrate into the local community.
However, a certain ‘Mexican looseness’ can be observed in quality control. There’s a risk of buying defective items, such as frozen mochi that have been thawed, crushed, and then refrozen. When purchasing frozen or fresh foods, it’s a local shopping rule of thumb to carefully inspect the package’s condition with your eyes and hands. While there’s no dedicated parking, you’ll need to park on a nearby street, but the store has good security measures, ensuring a safe shopping experience.
[Summary] Asian Supermarket Survival Guide for Mexico City
Exploring Asian supermarkets in Mexico City is more than just shopping; it’s an ‘extraordinary experience.’ Finally, here’s a summary of local rules that long-term residents always practice:
1. Double-Check Packaging and Expiration Dates
Some stores may not have the same rigorous quality control as in Japan. Avoid buying excessively large bags, and always check for expired dates or signs of thawing and refreezing (like frost build-up or deformation).
2. Keep an Eye on the Register
Billing errors, even unintentional ones, are commonplace. After checkout, make it a habit to cross-reference your receipt with the contents of your bag right there before leaving the store.
3. Utilize Ride-Sharing Apps Like Uber for Transportation
Most local supermarkets lack dedicated parking, and searching for street parking can be stressful. If you’re buying heavy items like large quantities of seasonings or cabbage, using ride-sharing apps like Uber or DiDi for door-to-door transport is the smartest option.
If you’re planning to cook at home in Mexico City, these stores will undoubtedly be your strong allies. Enjoy the authentic atmosphere and savor your delicious Asian life!
