Experience Authentic Vietnam in Hyogo! The Charm of Deeply Local ‘Vietnamese Supermarkets’
Hyogo Prefecture has various areas where many Vietnamese international students, technical interns, and long-term residents live. Consequently, the number of ‘real Vietnamese supermarkets (grocery stores)’ frequented by locals has been increasing.
These stores are not just places to buy rare seasonings; they also function as ‘food communities’ where you can enjoy exquisite authentic Vietnamese dishes (like Banh Mi and Pho) offered only on weekends, or source local ingredients while learning how to cook them. This time, we carefully select and introduce five deeply passionate Vietnamese supermarkets in Hyogo Prefecture that captivate everyone from local residents to those originally from Vietnam. If you’re looking for an authentic atmosphere and taste, be sure to visit!
Asia Shop Kim Bich
📍 Address: 547-1 Matsuo, Kato, Hyogo 673-1433, Japan
Kato City is an area where many Vietnamese technical interns reside, and ‘Asia Shop Kim Bich’ supports their ‘taste of home’. The container house-style store offers a wide array of deep Asian ingredients not commonly found in regular Japanese supermarkets, such as coconut milk, local snacks, and even frozen eel for grilling.
Its biggest draw is the authentic Vietnamese gourmet food offered at the adjoining Banh Mi specialty shop! The Banh Mi and Pho, sold exclusively on Saturdays and Sundays, receive rave reviews. The Banh Mi, with its exquisite balance of pickled vegetables and char siu, and the herb-rich, easy-to-digest rice noodle Pho (also available in half size) are must-try delicacies. Hand-squeezed fresh fruit drinks are also very popular.
Furthermore, a Japanese-speaking staff member, usually present on weekends, kindly and meticulously explains how to prepare and use rare ingredients. If you’ve been curious but hesitant to enter, take the plunge and you’ll surely be captivated by their kindness and delicious offerings. Following its renewal, it now offers enhanced dine-in and takeout options, truly making it a ‘hidden gem’.
THANK YOU SHOP (Vietnamese Groceries)
📍 Address: 7-1-37 Futaba-cho, Nagata-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 653-0042, Japan
Nagata-ku, Kobe, is a multicultural town where people of diverse backgrounds live. ‘THANK YOU SHOP’ has been operating here for over 20 years, making it a pioneer among Vietnamese grocery stores in Kobe. True to its name, which means ‘thank you’, it has warmly supported the local Vietnamese community for many years.
The small, compact store is packed with fresh herbs essential for Vietnamese cuisine, such as cilantro, along with seasonings like nuoc mam (fish sauce), and instant pho that allows you to easily recreate local flavors at home. Shopping here feels like a treasure hunt, as if you’ve been transported to Vietnam itself.
The prices are also very reasonable, making it a valuable daily supermarket for international students and local residents. If you want to experience Kobe’s Vietnamese history and savor the authentic, bustling, and energetic atmosphere of the locale, we highly recommend visiting this deep-rooted, long-established spot.
Dat Viet Mart (Vietnamese & Asian Groceries)
📍 Address: Rocky Daikai 1F, 1-1-16 Daikai-dori, Hyogo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 652-0803, Japan
Located on the first floor of Rocky Daikai on Daikai-dori in Hyogo-ku, Kobe, ‘Dat Viet Mart’ features a clean and bright atmosphere that avoids the intimidating feeling often associated with Asian supermarkets.
Prioritizing ‘quality’ and ‘reliability’, its products are well-organized, allowing even Japanese customers to shop with peace of mind. It’s highly recommended for beginners who want to try cooking Vietnamese food but are unsure which seasonings to buy.
Particularly noteworthy is the friendly and enthusiastic customer service. When you inquire about unfamiliar ingredients, the staff explain each one carefully and kindly. Filled with warm hospitality that makes you want to return, this local mart is cherished not only by long-term Vietnamese residents but also by local residents who love ethnic cuisine.
THAI HA QUAN (Vietnamese Food Store)
📍 Address: 454-1 Wadamachi, Nishiwaki, Hyogo 677-0052, Japan
For those living in the Nishiwaki area or stopping by after shopping at Gyomu Super Nishiwaki, ‘THAI HA QUAN’ is a perfect choice. Operated by a passionate and friendly owner, this excellent store offers a wide range of Vietnamese ingredients at affordable prices.
The main highlight here is not just the grocery sales, but also the surprisingly high-quality ‘Vietnamese noodle dishes’ served in-store! Reviews praise it as ‘the most delicious Vietnamese food I’ve had in Japan!’
Particularly popular are ‘Bun Bo Hue’, with its addictive beef bone broth and spicy soup, and the classic ‘Pho’. While faithfully replicating authentic local flavors, their dishes also subtly appeal to Japanese palates, making them highly recommended even for those trying Vietnamese cuisine for the first time. It’s a two-for-one spot where you can fill your stomach with delicious authentic local food while doing your shopping.
CHỢ QUÊ Vietnamese Groceries
📍 Address: 3-4-32 Tachibana-cho, Amagasaki, Hyogo 661-0025, Japan
‘CHỢ QUÊ’ (Cho Que) in Tachibana-cho, Amagasaki, is a casual Vietnamese supermarket with a clean exterior and interior, making it easy to drop by. It’s popular for its great selection of items for home cooks, offering authentic flavors at low prices.
Inside the store, you can find fresh ‘lemongrass’—essential for Tom Yum Goong and Vietnamese dishes—at very affordable prices. You might also discover rare tropical fruits like frozen ‘coconut milk (with pulp)’ or, if you’re lucky, ‘whole coconuts’. It offers a lineup that’s useful for recreating a nostalgic taste of Vietnam at home.
However, as a ‘local tip’ when using deep Asian supermarkets, it’s always best to quickly confirm that the price on your receipt matches the price on the shelf at the time of checkout. Manual entry errors or system pricing discrepancies are a common occurrence in Asian supermarkets. While understanding this characteristic generosity unique to different cultures, enjoy your local treasure hunt!
Tips for Enjoying Vietnamese Supermarkets 120%
Vietnamese supermarkets allow you to experience an authentic atmosphere right here in Japan. Here are a few tips to enhance your visit beyond just browsing products.
① Aim for Weekend Visits
Many Vietnamese grocery stores only sell ingredients on weekdays, but on ‘weekends’, when locals gather, they often offer handmade Banh Mi, Che (Vietnamese sweets), and Pho. For a vibrant local atmosphere, weekends are definitely recommended.
② Ask ‘How to use’ for unknown ingredients
Unfamiliar frozen meats, fish, and herbs displayed in the store might seem daunting at first. However, if you ask the staff, ‘How do I eat this?’, they often share delicious local family recipes. Through communication, your understanding of local food culture will deepen significantly.
③ Check your receipt on the spot
It’s a common occurrence in local supermarkets abroad: due to packaging changes or currency fluctuations, the price on the shelf might differ from the price at the register. This is often due to a generous national character rather than malice, so it’s smart to quickly check your receipt before leaving the store and politely ask for clarification with a smile if you have any questions.
