Introduction: Discover ‘Real Vietnam’ in Shizuoka
In recent years, many Vietnamese people, including international students and technical intern trainees on long-term stays, have come to live in Shizuoka Prefecture. To support their daily lives, ‘Vietnamese supermarkets’ offering authentic ingredients have been opening one after another across the prefecture. Did you know?
Fresh lemongrass, holy basil, frozen durian – items rarely seen in typical Japanese supermarkets – and walls lined with colorful instant noodles. Step inside, and you’ll be enveloped in the vibrant energy and aromatic spices, as if you’ve wandered into a local market in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.
This time, we’ve carefully selected 5 must-visit deep-dive Vietnamese supermarkets in Shizuoka Prefecture, perfect for both locals who want to cook authentic ethnic dishes and Vietnamese residents seeking a taste of home. We bring you the authentic atmosphere of these places!
Quán Cô An
📍 Address: 9-11 Ginza, Shimizu Ward, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Prefecture, 424-0817, Japan
Located in a corner of the Shimizu Ginza shopping street, ‘Quán Cô An’ is a food store with a warm atmosphere, run by a Vietnamese female owner. The store features a mix of Japanese and Vietnamese labels, making it comfortable even for first-time Japanese visitors. If you’re unsure about any ingredient, the owner, who speaks excellent Japanese, will kindly teach you delicious cooking methods.
A must-check here is the lineup of ‘Omachi’ instant noodles, hugely popular in Vietnam. Its ultra-thin wavy noodles, kneaded with potato, and a light yet rich soup are incredibly addictive. While you can eat it in a few minutes by just adding hot water, locals recommend boiling it in a pot for about two minutes for the best taste.
You can also get the savory-spicy ‘CHIN-SU’ sauce, which Japanese people also love, at a great price. It’s versatile, usable as a substitute for shrimp chili sauce or even on American hot dogs. In the drink corner, the ‘Number One Active Salty Lemon’ has a nostalgic, ’emo’ taste reminiscent of ‘Chuchu’ from Showa-era Japanese candy stores, making it a hidden gem. Furthermore, the exquisite banh mi, highly praised in reviews, is a phantom menu item available only during special occasions, such as when they participate in Shimizu Ginza events. If you see it, buy it immediately!
Vietfoody Vietnamese Food Store ‘Tạp hóa shizuoka’
📍 Address: Esquire Morishita 101, 1-16 Morishita-cho, Suruga Ward, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Prefecture, 422-8061, Japan
‘Vietfoody Vietnamese Food Store,’ located close to the south exit of JR Shizuoka Station, is a supermarket whose main appeal is its overwhelming product selection packed into every corner. If you want to recreate the sweet and rich Vietnamese coffee or local teas you enjoyed during your trip to Vietnam, this is the best place to go.
Particularly noteworthy are the tropical fruits. Rare fruits that are hard to find in Japan, such as frozen ‘Longan’ (龍眼), which has a lychee-like flavor, and the ‘King of Fruits,’ durian, are available at reasonable prices. International students frequently visit seeking a taste of home, ensuring high product turnover and a constantly lively atmosphere.
Its reasonable pricing makes it suitable for bulk purchases, perfect for stocking up on Vietnamese instant noodles and snacks. Its excellent access from the station is also a big plus, making it easy to drop by on your way home from work or while sightseeing in Shizuoka City.
MICHI FOOD – ASIA MART – TẠP HÓA VIỆT – CHỢ VIỆT NAM
📍 Address: 4-4-10 Otemachi, Numazu, Shizuoka Prefecture, 410-0801, Japan
‘MICHI FOOD,’ located in the Shin-nakamise shopping street in Numazu City, is a highly capable Asian mart that, despite its compact size, is packed with ‘truly essential local ingredients.’ It has a strong focus on fresh produce, with the appeal of fresh lemongrass, indispensable for Vietnamese cuisine, available in large quantities and at low prices.
If the timing is right, you might even encounter impressive fruits like ‘fresh durian’ or ‘large citrus fruits (such as pomelo).’ When purchasing durian, the staff kindly offers a service to extract the flesh on the spot, making it easy to eat. They also have a wide selection of ingredients for ‘Chè,’ traditional Vietnamese sweets, and authentic pho noodles and soup.
Don’t worry if you can’t read the package labels. The staff will kindly explain, showing pictures of finished dishes on their smartphones, saying, ‘This is how you use this,’ so you can confidently try unfamiliar seasonings. It’s a deep spot you’ll definitely want to visit as a ‘spice’ for your walk around Numazu.
Thuc Pham Viet AnLacQuan
📍 Address: 2202-1 Kataoka, Yoshida-cho, Haibara-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture, 421-0303, Japan
‘Thuc Pham Viet AnLacQuan,’ located in Yoshida-cho, Haibara-gun, is a food store with 100% local authenticity, to the point where you ‘forget you’re in Japan’ in a good way. This family-run shop has the exact atmosphere of a traditional mom-and-pop store (private shop) you’d find in a rural Vietnamese town.
What’s remarkable is its fair pricing, close to ‘local Vietnamese prices’ despite being imported ingredients. Fresh foods like meat are also inexpensive, and it fully functions as the kitchen for Vietnamese residents in the vicinity. It boasts a rich selection of niche seasonings, making it a treasure trove for cooking enthusiasts looking to explore authentic Vietnamese cuisine.
Its greatest appeal is the feeling of complete immersion, to the extent that reviews suggest ‘it’s best to go expecting that Japanese won’t be understood.’ The experience of shopping with a translation app on your smartphone, using gestures, is truly like ‘traveling abroad within the country.’
HAN SHOP – Thực phẩm Tạp Hoá Việt Nam Vietnamese Food Products
📍 Address: 23-4 Jurojima, Iwata, Shizuoka Prefecture, 438-0236, Japan
‘HAN SHOP,’ located in Iwata City, is an incredibly welcoming food store run by bright and passionate young Vietnamese people. Its open-minded and friendly service is much loved, to the point where they invited customers who visited during their opening preparations to join a drinking party.
The product selection covers a wide range, from hardcore ingredients from Vietnam to easy-to-eat snacks and noodles that suit Japanese tastes. If you ask, ‘Is this seasoning spicy?’, they will kindly tell you with a smile, making it safe even for ethnic cuisine beginners.
It’s a community hub where the owners and customers are close, warmly welcoming not only regulars but also new Japanese customers. It’s a store that makes shopping enjoyable, allowing you to experience the energy and hospitality of Vietnamese youth, not just buy groceries.
Shopping Tips to Enjoy Local Supermarkets 120%
Shopping at Vietnamese supermarkets is a bit different from Japanese supermarkets. For international students and those seeking a taste of local flavors, here are some tips to make your shopping more enjoyable and prevent mistakes.
First is to ‘make full use of translation apps like Google Lens.’ Some stores may have no Japanese POP signs at all, with only Vietnamese text. By translating ingredient lists and instructions on packages with your camera, you can prevent mistakes like ‘I thought this was a sweet snack, but it was actually a spicy seasoning!’
Second is to ‘not forget to check the frozen foods section.’ Herbs essential for Vietnamese cuisine (such as lemongrass, galangal) and tropical fruits like durian and jackfruit are often sold frozen to maintain freshness. Bringing a cooler bag will allow you to enjoy your shopping without worries.
Finally, ‘enjoy communicating with the staff.’ All stores have warm people who will answer your questions with a smile. If you show them a photo and ask, ‘I want to make [dish name], which one should I buy?’, they’ll tell you about the recommended brands that locals actually use.
