The area around Tennoji and Abeno is an international hub home to many international students and mid- to long-term residents. Do you ever find yourself cooking daily and thinking, ‘I miss the taste of home!’ or ‘I want to get authentic spices and seasonings cheaply!’?
This time, we’ve carefully selected 4 must-know spots, ranging from deep-dive Asian grocery stores easily accessible from Tennoji Station, to truly authentic Vietnamese supermarkets worth a slightly longer trip, and convenient Japanese supermarkets where you can efficiently stock up on Japanese ingredients and daily necessities. We’ll introduce them along with real local reviews and tips for smart shopping!
イトーヨーカドー あべの店
📍 Address: 1-6-1 Abenosuji, Abeno Ward, Osaka, 545-0052, Japan
Located within walking distance from Tennoji Station, this is the only Ito-Yokado store in Osaka City, occupying the B1F to 2F of Abeno Cues Town. For international students and mid- to long-term residents just starting their life in Japan, the convenience of finding both food and daily necessities under one roof is highly valuable.
The store boasts wide aisles and well-organized sections for items like ice cream and frozen foods, offering the ‘ease of browsing’ unique to Japanese supermarkets. There are also many affordable Seven Premium brand products, making it a rare spot in Osaka to enjoy a Tokyo-like product selection. Visiting around 6 PM in the evening often reveals numerous bargain items and products with discount stickers, making it indispensable for budget-conscious home cooks.
Furthermore, the store is known for its excellent support for foreign customers. There’s a touching review from a past incident where a customer lost an item in the store: ‘Even with a language barrier, all staff members kindly helped search for it, and it was found at the lost and found center.’ This speaks volumes about their warm customer service. On weekend evenings, checkouts can get crowded, leading to longer waiting times, so it’s recommended to shop at slightly off-peak hours. Please note that there is no plastic bottle recycling machine available.
CHỢ VIỆT OSAKA -Hanazonocho
📍 Address: 1-4-1 Asahi, Nishinari Ward, Osaka, 557-0032, Japan
Located in Hanazonocho, Nishinari Ward, easily accessible by bicycle or train from the Tennoji area, this is a truly authentic Vietnamese supermarket where the atmosphere of a local Vietnamese market flows right in. The moment you step inside, you’ll experience the excitement of having wandered into a genuine local market.
Its biggest appeal is the ‘overwhelming product selection,’ which is a delight when you miss the taste of home. You’ll find fresh herbs and rare vegetables hard to come by in Japanese supermarkets, and even whole durians from Thailand boldly on sale. The quality is highly praised by long-term residents, with comments like ‘The meat here is fresher and I prefer it over Japanese supermarkets.’
The friendly and kind staff are also highly regarded, and impressively, they even accept payment in Vietnamese currency (via bank transfer)! For days when you’re too busy to shop in person, they also offer a free delivery service under certain conditions, making this an excellent store that functions as a vital daily infrastructure for international students and workers.
ハーベス天王寺店
📍 Address: Tennoji Mio Plaza Annex B1F, 10-48 Hidenincho, Tennoji Ward, Osaka, 543-0055, Japan
This supermarket boasts unparalleled access, located directly beneath Tennoji Station, on the B1F of Tennoji Mio Plaza Annex. Its greatest advantage is being open until 11 PM, allowing you to quickly stop by on your way home after late part-time work or language school.
While prices might be slightly higher than average supermarkets, the convenience more than makes up for it. The quality of their bento boxes and deli items is high, with a rich selection of Japanese ready-meals like ‘oshi-sushi’. The store is also fully equipped with microwaves and ice service, so you can warm up your purchases and take them home immediately.
What international students and locals eagerly anticipate is the ‘evening discount time.’ From around 7 PM onwards, deli items and bento boxes are marked down with stickers offering 20% to 50% off. During this time, the store is bustling with people seeking these ‘lucky leftovers.’ It’s definitely a spot to keep in mind as a lifesaver on days when you’re too tired to cook.
AsiaMart 新天地
📍 Address: 1-1-3 Shimo-dera, Naniwa Ward, Osaka, 556-0001, Japan
This is an Asian grocery specialty store reborn as a more accessible shopping destination after the massive China Mall ‘Shanghai Xintiandi’, previously in Nihonbashi, relocated. It’s easily reachable by bicycle from the Tennoji and Ebisucho areas, and many Asian residents, especially Chinese and Taiwanese, frequently visit.
Inside, the shelves are packed with basic seasonings like Chinese dark soy sauce, black vinegar, and chili oil, along with huge quantities of ‘hot pot bases,’ authentic spices such as cumin and green Sichuan peppercorns – all in large volumes and at great prices! You’ll also find a rich selection of snacks and light meals, including Taiwanese beer, Hsinchu rice vermicelli, and sunflower seeds. The store is filled with deep, unique products you’d never see in a Japanese supermarket, making it easy to lose track of time just browsing.
At the back, there’s a small eat-in (food) corner where you can buy handmade deli items and frozen xiaolongbao. The food here is not localized for Japanese tastes at all; it’s ‘the real local flavor,’ with a powerful, intense aroma of cilantro and spices. It’s a 120% niche supermarket, irresistible for those craving a punchy taste of home.
【Tips】さらにディープな食材を求めるなら！北加賀屋の系列店も要チェック
If you can’t find the ingredients you’re looking for at ‘CHỢ VIỆT OSAKA’ in Hanazonocho, or if you want to visit a larger Vietnamese supermarket, we recommend extending your trip to its sister store, ‘CHỢ VIỆT OSAKA-Kitakagaya’ (1-4-26 Kitakagaya), located in Suminoe Ward.
This branch features a spacious and clean interior, with shelves neatly lined with spices, bread, noodles, pho, and more. They also offer a delivery service for orders over 500,000 VND, making it convenient for bulk purchases. Furthermore, there’s an attached restaurant that is highly popular for its affordable, nutritious, and delicious Vietnamese cuisine! With parking available, it’s also perfect as a weekend outing spot to go grocery shopping with friends by car.
