Gunma Prefecture has a large foreign resident population, with a notable increase in Vietnamese students and long-term residents in recent years. Consequently, Vietnamese supermarkets catering to locals seeking ‘authentic flavors’ have been opening one after another across the prefecture.
For those who find general Japanese supermarkets or the imported food sections of stores like Kaldi and Don Quijote lacking, or for international students wanting to buy their hometown flavors cheaply and in bulk, these local grocery stores are an indispensable resource. This time, we’ll introduce four carefully selected deep-dive Vietnamese supermarkets in Gunma Prefecture that have gained immense support from both local residents and those originally from Vietnam. Beyond just buying ingredients, these places offer a warm atmosphere where you can also enjoy interacting with the staff.
Cho Viet Takasaki
📍 Address: 6-11 Tsurumicho, Takasaki, Gunma 370-0848, Japan
Located near Takasaki Station, ‘Cho Viet Takasaki’ is a multinational supermarket primarily focused on Vietnamese ingredients, but also stocking a wide range of foods from other Asian countries such as Thailand, Nepal, and China. You can even find items related to Myanmar cuisine, making it a popular spot for international students and long-term residents from various nationalities.
Some might be concerned about quality control at a local Asian market, but this store ensures peace of mind for Japanese shoppers by affixing clear Japanese labels and clearly stating expiration dates on all products.
What’s particularly noteworthy is the hospitality of the owner, who speaks fluent Japanese and has a warm, human touch. The level of hospitality is such that even when a customer bought a unique local dish like ‘Thai-style chicken feet (Momiji),’ the owner offered to ‘exchange it for something else if you don’t like it.’ Since its opening, this spot has steadily gained fans through its kind service and is definitely one to watch.
Svietnam maebashi
📍 Address: 2 Chome-6-1 Hirosecho, Maebashi, Gunma 371-0812, Japan
In the Hirosecho area of Maebashi City, ‘Svietnam Maebashi’ is highly praised by regulars, who say, ‘If there were a 10-star rating, I’d give it 10 stars!’ While its extensive product range and affordable prices are certainly appealing, the store’s biggest charm lies in the ‘overwhelming kindness and enthusiasm’ of its owner and staff.
In addition to in-store shopping, they also offer a delivery service for long-term residents in the vicinity. While deliveries might occasionally be a little late, as is sometimes the endearing charm of local shops, the owner’s swift and sincere response, coupled with generous services like free delivery, has led to a surge of customers becoming even bigger fans, rather than complaining.
New product arrivals and special offers are often announced on their Facebook page, so checking their SNS before visiting is a smart, local way to shop. The staff are incredibly kind, so it’s also highly recommended to ask them for recipes or how to use ingredients if you’re trying to cook Vietnamese food for the first time.
ICHIBA FOODS
📍 Address: 1597-18 Yattajimacho, Isesaki, Gunma 372-0827, Japan
‘ICHIBA FOODS’ in Isesaki City is an authentic directly managed supermarket operated by a company that imports and wholesales Vietnamese food products. The spacious store is lined with not only popular Vietnamese coffee, instant pho, and rice paper, but also fresh lychees, and even frozen meats and fish essential to local Vietnamese kitchens.
For Japanese people who have lived in Vietnam or international students, it’s a moving place where they can ‘reunite with that instant noodle they used to eat when living there.’ Popular spicy seasoning ‘Saté Tôm’ and other items are reputed to be available at significantly more affordable prices compared to Kaldi or Don Quijote. It’s definitely a must-visit store if you’re planning to buy in bulk.
At the register, you’ll find a kind older brother from Ho Chi Minh City who speaks fluent Japanese. They also issue membership cards for repeat customers, so the more you visit, the more savings you get. It’s a highly entertaining supermarket where you can enjoy the fun of browsing diverse ingredients and asking, ‘How do I eat this?’
SVIETNAM YABUZUKA
📍 Address: 402-4 Oharacho, Ota, Gunma 379-2304, Japan
‘SVIETNAM YABUZUKA’ in Oharacho, Ota City, is a community-focused store offering a wide variety of Vietnamese and Chinese food products at low prices. While it has a fully local feel, friendly female staff members are available to assist in Japanese, allowing you to enjoy conversation and shop in an at-home atmosphere.
What’s interesting about this store is its payment system. They use a laptop for calculating purchases, and customers pay by scanning a ‘PayPay’ barcode affixed to the back of the laptop with their smartphone – an irresistible DIY feel, much like a small, independent shop on an Asian street corner. The fact that it fully supports cashless payments is extremely convenient for modern international students.
The store is also stacked high with local snacks and sweets, making it perfect for an ‘Asian snack hunt’ to get a taste of foreign culture. With quality items available at affordable prices, why not stop by and enjoy a treasure hunt experience?
Local Tips for Enjoying Vietnamese Supermarkets to the Fullest (120%)
Vietnamese supermarkets scattered across Gunma Prefecture are not just grocery stores; they also serve as information exchange hubs and community centers for Vietnamese residents. As a result, the stores exude a vibrant local atmosphere, making you feel like you’re in Vietnam even while in Japan.
The trick to shopping at these local supermarkets is to ‘not hesitate to talk to the staff.’ The staff at all the stores introduced here are fluent in Japanese and extremely kind. If you ask, ‘What does this seasoning go well with?’ or ‘How do I make delicious pho?’, they will happily share local recipes with you.
Furthermore, some stores offer their own membership cards, or order and free delivery services via Facebook. International students who cook frequently during their long-term stay, or locals who are into Asian cuisine, should definitely follow the stores’ SNS to visit when new stock arrives. It will surely enrich your everyday dining experience significantly.
