In recent years, Gifu Prefecture has seen a rise in international students, technical interns, and long-term residents from Southeast Asia, leading to the continuous opening of ‘Asian Supermarkets’ that support their authentic culinary needs across the region. Especially stores focusing on Vietnamese and Thai ingredients offer deep, vibrant spaces mirroring their home countries’ atmosphere, drawing attention as hidden gems where even locals can enjoy ‘international travel without a passport.’
This article picks out 5 truly authentic Asian and Vietnamese supermarkets scattered across Gifu City, Ogaki City, and Seki City. We’ll provide a comprehensive guide from a local’s perspective on how to best utilize them, covering typical prices for local seasonings, unique local items you can only buy here, and even exquisite menus at their attached restaurants.
Thai Duong Mart Gifu
📍 Address: 4-7 Toiyamachi, Gifu City, Gifu 500-8845, Japan
The retro ‘Gifu Textile Wholesale District’ extending north from JR Gifu Station was once a thriving apparel industry area. While some parts now show noticeable shuttered shops, it has actually transformed into a multicultural town in recent years, with a collection of deep, foreign-oriented stores. Among them, ‘Thai Duong Mart Gifu’ in Toiyamachi 4-chome boasts one of the largest sales floors.
Upon entering, you’ll hear friendly Vietnamese chatter from the bright staff – it’s completely an exotic supermarket. In addition to frozen meats and fresh vegetables/fruits, you’ll find rice paper, nuoc mam (fish sauce), and even exotic ingredients rarely seen in Japan, such as ‘duck blood’ and ‘bird’s nest juice,’ neatly packed and displayed.
Its extensive selection is one of the best in the prefecture, providing a reassuring infrastructure for long-term residents to perfectly recreate the tastes of their homeland. While many items might be unfamiliar to Japanese customers, they are stylishly and clearly displayed, allowing even first-time Asian ingredient shoppers to enjoy a treasure hunt-like experience. There is no dedicated free parking, so using nearby coin parking is essential, but be very careful of road signs when accessing by car, as there are many one-way streets around Toiyamachi.
V-MART GIFU
📍 Address: 3-2 Toiyamachi, Gifu City, Gifu 500-8845, Japan
Located in Toiyamachi 3-chome, close to the aforementioned ‘Thai Duong Mart Gifu,’ is ‘V-MART GIFU.’ If you’re hopping between Asian grocery stores in the wholesale district, this is an absolute must-visit.
Its biggest feature is, without a doubt, its ‘affordability.’ Prices are set about 30-40% lower than typical imported food stores, making it a strong ally for international students and locals who cook daily. The selection also hits niche spots, such as authentic bottled ‘Red Bull’ seemingly imported directly from Thailand, which is incredibly appealing.
The owner’s kind and friendly service is also highly praised, with customers saying, ‘I asked for recommendations for coffee and sweets, and everything I bought was truly delicious.’ You can enjoy exotic shopping while communicating across language barriers. Although compact, the store is clean and well-organized, making it perfect for quickly stocking up on everyday Vietnamese seasonings and instant foods.
THAI DUONG MART OGAKI
📍 Address: 1-80-1-1 Kuruwamachi, Ogaki City, Gifu 503-0887, Japan
‘THAI DUONG MART OGAKI,’ located in Kuruwamachi, the heart of Ogaki City, is a highly recommended spot where you can enjoy both shopping and gourmet food. The store is packed with Asian foodstuffs, including items from Thailand and Vietnam, where you can find Thai instant noodles and sweet lychee nectar at reasonable prices (around a few hundred yen for bulk purchases). It’s a beloved local store, so crowded with locals and foreigners on Ogaki Festival days.
An absolute must-try when visiting this store is their homemade ‘Che’ (traditional Vietnamese dessert) sold in chilled cups. This richly layered Che, filled with ingredients like durian, taro, coconut milk, and jelly, boasts a rich sweetness akin to a tropical mixed juice, becoming addictive after just one taste. With a wide variety, its fresh deliciousness, unlike frozen versions, is simply irresistible.
Furthermore, the second floor houses an authentic dining space where you can enjoy a meal after shopping. Payments at the register can be made with PayPay, and prices are displayed in Japanese Yen, making calculations easy and reassuring. While many product packages lack Japanese translations, the true joy of this store lies in intuitively choosing ingredients while asking the helpful staff for assistance.
Cho Viet OGAKI
📍 Address: 7-768-1 Hayashimachi, Ogaki City, Gifu 503-0015, Japan
Located in Hayashimachi, Ogaki City, north of JR Ogaki Station, ‘Cho Viet OGAKI’ is an authentic Vietnamese grocery store offering a wide variety of foodstuffs. However, the true essence of this store isn’t just its function as a supermarket, but the overwhelming quality of its attached restaurant.
The dishes served here are guaranteed to be excellent, praised by reviews as ‘Gifu Prefecture’s best tonkotsu.’ This isn’t referring to Japanese tonkotsu ramen, but rather the intense umami of pork bone-based soups (like hu tieu) in Vietnamese cuisine, which is presumed to impress not only local palates but also the hearts of Japanese ramen lovers. With a diverse array of authentic dishes, some passionate fans rate their dining satisfaction at a perfect 10 out of 10.
The owner is very enthusiastic and friendly, so even first-time visitors can enjoy the vibrant, local atmosphere without feeling out of place. After indulging in delicious Vietnamese cuisine, being able to purchase seasonings and ingredients in the same store is truly an oasis for long-term residents.
Asia Shokuzai
📍 Address: 3-3 Ohiromachi, Seki City, Gifu 501-3833, Japan
Located in Seki City, known as the ‘City of Blades,’ ‘Asia Shokuzai’ (literally ‘Asian Ingredients’) is a well-known local gem with a straightforward, unpretentious name. While its selection might not match that of larger stores, the balance between quality and price is incredibly excellent, attracting many loyal repeat customers.
Particularly highly rated is the quality of its ‘fresh meat.’ Chicken, beef, and pork are all reputed to be fresh and delicious, with some ardent repeat customers saying, ‘I’ve been buying meat here every week for two years now.’ It’s become an indispensable infrastructure for international students and residents who cook authentic meals, as they can find cuts rarely available in Japanese supermarkets and meats prepared with specific Vietnamese cuts, all at affordable prices.
The owner’s polite manner of speaking and friendly personality are also secrets to its popularity. While not a flashy store, it’s a community-focused excellent shop where you can reliably get fresh and delicious ingredients for making Vietnamese cuisine.
Tips & Column: How to Navigate and Enjoy Local Vietnamese Supermarkets
In these stores, since locals use them daily, product packages often don’t have Japanese translation stickers. In such cases, a handy trick is to use a smartphone ‘image translation app.’ Just point your camera, and you can instantly understand the uses of local seasonings or the flavors of snacks.
Also, while some staff might speak broken Japanese, they are generally very kind and friendly. By showing a photo of the ingredient you’re looking for, or using gestures to ask, ‘How do I eat this delicious thing?’, you might discover unexpected and exquisite local foods. While some stores primarily accept cash, an increasing number now support QR code payments like PayPay, so it’s reassuring to have both small change and your smartphone ready. Please enjoy this deep shopping experience where you can feel the local vibrancy right here in Japan.
