Looking for Vietnamese/Asian Ingredients in Roppongi! Shopping for Long-Term Residents
Roppongi often has an image of high prices and luxurious shops and restaurants, but in reality, there are plenty of convenient supermarkets that support the daily lives of long-term residents, international students, and locals.
Many may wonder, ‘I want to cook Vietnamese food myself, but are there any Vietnamese supermarkets around Roppongi?’ The conclusion is that there are very few dedicated Vietnamese ingredient stores in the Roppongi area (if you’re looking for specialty stores, it’s generally common to head towards Shinjuku, Shin-Okubo, or Kamata). However, due to Roppongi’s unique character with many embassies and a large foreign population, there are several supermarkets that stock a wide variety of imported and international seasonings. Basic ingredients like fish sauce (nuoc mam), dried pho noodles, rice paper, and various spices can be easily found at the well-stocked supermarkets introduced in this article.
In this article, we’ve picked out 4 recommended supermarkets in Roppongi that are convenient for self-cooking, or for buying bento boxes and prepared dishes. We’ll introduce them along with real local reviews, the atmosphere, and unique tips for international students and residents.
Fukushimaya Roppongi Store
📍 Address: 1-4-5 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0032, Japan B1F
‘Fukushimaya Roppongi Store’ is located in an ultra-convenient spot, right outside the ticket gate of Roppongi-Itchome Station on the Tokyo Metro Namboku Line (B1F of Ark Hills South Tower). It boasts a rich selection of additive-free natural foods, earning strong support from local residents and health-conscious long-term residents who seek high-quality ingredients.
In addition to basic fresh produce, it’s a reliable place to find Asian seasonings and organic ingredients. The selection of prepared dishes and bento boxes is also reassuringly diverse, ranging from Japanese dishes like Sukeroku Sushi and Inari Sushi to Keema Curry.
A major appeal of this store is the eat-in space called ‘Tasting Market’ located directly opposite. Not only can you enjoy items purchased from the supermarket at the outdoor tables, but they also offer a dedicated eat-in menu. Reviews highly praise the ‘Chashu ramen with clear soy sauce soup made from dried sardine broth and thick wavy noodles,’ allowing you to enjoy authentic flavors beyond a typical supermarket.
Furthermore, their homemade desserts are exquisite, such as the ‘Coconut Sugar Pudding’ (¥280 including tax) with mild egg flavor and moderate sweetness, and the ‘Panna Cotta’ (¥324 including tax) generously topped with blueberry sauce. It’s a very convenient spot for business professionals and international students looking for a quick lunch.
Shinanoya Roppongi Hills Store
📍 Address: Roppongi Hills Gate Tower 1F・2F, 6-11-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0032, Japan
While ‘Shinanoya’ is often associated with liquor stores, this particular branch in Roppongi Hills Gate Tower operates as an upscale supermarket featuring carefully selected ingredients. The store spans two floors, 1F and 2F. It stands out for its curated selection, more akin to a specialty shop, rather than everyday items found in typical supermarkets.
Naturally, Shinanoya’s strength in alcoholic beverages is evident with an impressive array of domestic and international brands. Furthermore, they stock many unique vegetables, high-quality meats and seafood, organic foods, and additive-free products, leading many locals to use it in conjunction with other nearby supermarkets. Their high-quality imported food section is also useful when searching for international ingredients and seasonings.
Their private brand tiramisu and nuts, as well as original desserts introduced with handwritten pop-up signs, are also very popular, making it perfect for finding small gifts. For instance, you can find high-quality yet affordable sweets like the ‘CACAOCAT’ brownies from Hokkaido. It’s a supermarket where you can enjoy a sophisticated urban lifestyle typical of Roppongi, perhaps by buying tortillas and beer inside and enjoying a light lunch on an outdoor bench.
Olympic Roppongi Store
📍 Address: The Roppongi Tokyo Plaza, 3-7-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0032, Japan
Located in the heart of Roppongi, ‘Olympic Roppongi Store’ supports the daily lives of locals with its relatively reasonable prices. It opened in the former location of ‘Motomachi Union’ and is valued as an easy-to-use supermarket for everyday shopping, thanks to its spacious interior.
Compared to the surrounding upscale supermarkets, everyday shopping is more accessible here, making it a true lifeline for international students and mid-to-long term residents who appreciate an ‘affordable supermarket.’ Perhaps reflecting the area’s character, it boasts an abundant selection of wines and meats. The meat section, in particular, is highly praised by those who cook for themselves, with even 600g packs portioned into ‘convenient 50g servings for easy freezing.’
Another unique feature of the store is its wall-to-wall ‘Retort Curry & Curry Roux Corner.’ Perhaps due to research indicating ‘curry sells well’ in multicultural Roppongi, an overwhelming variety is displayed, making it highly recommended for those looking for Asian-inspired spice curries and retort foods. The introduction of semi-automatic registers is also a welcome point, allowing for quick and smooth checkout.
Seijo Ishii Roppongi Hills Store
📍 Address: Roppongi Hills North Tower B1F, 6-2-31 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0032, Japan
‘Seijo Ishii Roppongi Hills Store’ is located on the B1F of Roppongi Hills North Tower, directly connected to Roppongi Station on the Hibiya Line, allowing access without getting wet even on rainy days. Despite its compact size, it is packed with Seijo Ishii’s unique imported ingredients and international seasonings, making it extremely convenient for sourcing fish sauce and ethnic spices needed for Vietnamese cuisine.
The biggest appeal of this store is its overwhelmingly high-quality lineup of bento boxes and prepared dishes. It offers a wide range, from authentic Japanese dishes like ‘nasu no nitashihashi’ (simmered eggplant) to ‘yaki udon’ (about ¥500), pasta (about ¥600), and ethnic bento boxes, making them extremely popular for office workers’ lunches and students’ dinners. The availability of microwaves for lunch use is also a thoughtful touch, allowing you to enjoy a warm bento right away.
After 7 PM, discount stickers are often liberally applied, offering a chance to grab Seijo Ishii’s usually upscale prepared dishes at a bargain. The store also boasts a rich selection of snacks that pair well with wine and whiskey, as well as high-quality chocolates and sweets, making it a reliable choice to elevate your daily dining experience.
Supermarket Hacks and Summary for Roppongi Area
While Roppongi may initially appear to be an expensive area with a high cost of living, by wisely choosing supermarkets according to your purpose, you can enjoy a comfortable self-cooking lifestyle and local living.
If you’re seeking authentic Vietnamese supermarkets or extremely niche ethnic ingredients, you’ll need to venture to areas like Shin-Okubo, Takadanobaba, or Kamata. However, for everyday international ingredients like fish sauce, chili sauce, and dried pho noodles, Shinanoya and Seijo Ishii’s imported food sections are more than sufficient. Furthermore, if you want to keep daily food expenses down, ‘local insider tips’ like buying meat in bulk at Olympic or aiming for Seijo Ishii’s evening discount stickers can be very effective.
Each supermarket also excels as a convenient and delicious spot for bento boxes and lunch options. International students and long-term residents are encouraged to find their favorite store that suits their lifestyle, making their life in Roppongi even richer.
