Are There Vietnam-Specialized Supermarkets in Ginza? Ingredient Sourcing for Long-Term Residents
Ginza is known for its luxury brands and department stores. At first glance, it might seem like an inconvenient area for everyday shopping, but in reality, there are supermarkets that are a ‘savior for home cooking’ for local office workers, long-term residents, and international students.
To conclude, there are no ‘specialized supermarkets exclusively for Vietnamese ingredients’ in the Ginza area. However, international seasonings and ingredients like Asian sauces, rice paper, and pho (rice noodles) are readily available at large supermarkets and wholesale supermarkets.
This time, we’ll introduce five carefully selected spots in Ginza, chosen from the perspective of real residents, ranging from incredibly cost-effective supermarkets for daily shopping and Asian ingredient sourcing to upscale department store food halls for a special treat.
Meat Hanamasa Ginza Store
📍 Address: Ginza 8-9-Sen, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061, Japan
‘Meat Hanamasa Ginza Store’, located in Ginza Nine Building 3, is a godsend not only for local restaurant professionals but also for self-catering international students and residents. Despite its prime Ginza location, it operates 24 hours a day, making it the biggest advantage for grocery shopping anytime.
As a wholesale supermarket, it boasts an excellent selection of meats, along with frozen foods, vegetables, and alcohol available in large quantities at low prices. What’s even more noteworthy is its abundant stock of ‘Asian ingredients and seasonings’, such as Vietnamese pho (rice noodles), fish sauce (nam pla), and Korean seasoned seaweed sprinkles. Even instant pho products closely resemble authentic flavors, making them highly popular among international students seeking Asian tastes.
The store sees a high percentage of foreign customers, creating a very international atmosphere. This is an absolutely unmissable spot for large home parties or for long-term residents who want to stock up their refrigerators with bulk purchases.
OK Ginza Store
📍 Address: Marronnier Gate Ginza 2 B1F・B2F, Ginza 3-2-1, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061, Japan
Opened in the autumn of 2023, ‘OK Ginza Store’ in the basement of Marronnier Gate has taken Ginza by storm with its ‘divine cost performance’. Despite being in the heart of Ginza, it offers food at overwhelmingly low prices, comparable to its other branches, transforming the lunch and self-catering routines of local residents and businesspeople.
The spacious store spans two floors, featuring not only fresh produce and deli items but also well-stocked shelves of international seasonings. Here, you can easily source Asian sauces and spices to recreate Vietnamese or other Asian ethnic dishes at home.
Additionally, highly praised in reviews are their freshly baked handmade breads and voluminous bento boxes available for around 300 yen. For international students and long-term residents looking to save on food expenses, this is the ultimate everyday supermarket, where you’ll be astonished by the corporate effort to offer ‘these prices in the middle of Ginza’.
VENTI PINO
📍 Address: Annex Fukujin Building 2F, Ginza 1-6-17, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061, Japan
While a bit removed from Asian ingredients, ‘VENTI PINO’, an Italian specialty food store, is a must-know for long-term residents who enjoy diverse food cultures. Tucked away discreetly on the second floor of a building, this hidden gem is packed with authentic Italian ingredients such as pasta, olive oil, prosciutto, cheese, and wine.
Although it’s originally a members-only store, its appeal lies in its low barrier to entry: even first-time visitors can instantly become free members simply by registering as a LINE friend.
The staff’s product knowledge is extensive, and you can discover niche items not typically found in supermarkets, such as authentic rough-textured Teflon pasta. Try utilizing this hidden spot when you want to procure inexpensive wine and snacks for an evening.
QUEEN’S ISETAN Ginza Mitsukoshi Store
📍 Address: Mitsukoshi Ginza Store B3F, Ginza 4-6-16, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061, Japan
While you can handle your daily shopping at a cost-effective supermarket, if you’re looking for a ‘small treat’ or souvenirs for the weekend, ‘QUEEN’S ISETAN’, located on the 3rd basement floor of Ginza Mitsukoshi, comes highly recommended.
It offers a wide range of high-quality private brand (PB) products, and the quality of ingredients, especially hamburg steaks, fresh meat, and seafood, is guaranteed. Furthermore, according to reviews, authentic Chinese dim sum (such as shumai and har gow) are also available, which is a delightful point, allowing you to savor deep Asian flavors with department store basement quality.
Directly connected to Ginza Station and Higashi-Ginza Station via an underground passage, it’s accessible even on rainy days without getting wet. This is a premium supermarket to enhance your long-term stay weekends, perfect for when you want to indulge in delicious food, even if it means spending a bit more.
Ginza Mitsukoshi (Depachika & Rooftop Terrace)
📍 Address: Ginza 4-6-16, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-8212, Japan
Finally, we introduce ‘Ginza Mitsukoshi’, one of Japan’s leading long-established department stores. While its upper floors are lined with luxury brands, what long-term residents and international students shouldn’t miss is the combination of its ‘depachika gourmet’ (basement food hall) and ‘rooftop garden (Ginza Terrace)’.
The basement floor is an impressive treasure trove of food, offering traditional Japanese sweets from venerable shops, trendy desserts, and luxurious bento boxes. However, Ginza’s streets are often crowded with few benches, making it difficult to find a place to eat what you’ve bought. This is where the 9th-floor rooftop space, accessible directly by elevator from the basement, comes in handy. It features lush outdoor and indoor seating, complete with trash cans, allowing you to leisurely enjoy the deli items and sweets procured from the depachika.
At night, it’s illuminated, creating a quiet and serene atmosphere. It’s a clever way for local residents to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and refresh themselves.
Summary of Supermarket Utilization in Ginza Area
The image of Ginza often precedes it with notions of ‘inconvenient shopping’ and ‘high prices’. However, by utilizing ‘Meat Hanamasa’ and ‘OK Store’, you can actually source Asian seasonings like Vietnamese ingredients and enjoy a self-catering lifestyle at a low cost. And sometimes, you can upgrade your dining experience at places like ‘VENTI PINO’ or ‘QUEEN’S ISETAN’, and spend luxurious time on a rooftop terrace.
During your long-term stay or study abroad period, by strategically using these supermarkets and food stores according to your needs, your life in Ginza is sure to become many times richer and more enjoyable. We encourage you to incorporate them into your daily shopping routine.
