When staying in Guam for a medium to long term, studying abroad, or traveling like a local by utilizing a condominium, the issue of ‘food’ is inseparable. When you’re tired of daily burgers, steaks, and the high cost of eating out, self-catering or buying ready-made meals from local supermarkets become your strong allies.
However, typical American supermarkets rarely stock familiar Japanese ‘thinly sliced meat’ or ‘East Asian vegetables’. Therefore, this article carefully selects and introduces real, practical Asian supermarkets and local markets frequented by residents and students. We’ll thoroughly explain essential shopping tips you’ll regret not knowing, along with local rules.
Happy Mart – Barrigada
📍 Address: Lot 2176, 311 Bamba Way, Barrigada, 96913 Guam
‘Happy Mart (Super Happy Mart)’, located along a main road in the Barrigada district, is a ‘hidden gem’ supermarket. While its exterior is modest and brimming with local charm, step inside and you’ll be surprised by its extensive selection. The biggest draw for self-caterers is the availability of ‘thinly sliced meat’, a rarity in American supermarkets. It’s an indispensable spot for preparing Japanese dishes like shabu-shabu or Nikujaga (Japanese meat and potato stew).
It also boasts a rich selection of fresh fish, vegetables, and Asian seasonings (including Japanese), and prices are relatively low, making it a valued establishment deeply integrated into local life. Furthermore, handmade deli items and bakery goods are abundant, making it perfect for those who ‘don’t have a kitchen in their hotel but want to enjoy a leisurely meal in their room’.
Note that there’s a local rule of ‘no photography’ inside the store, so please observe etiquette and enjoy your shopping experience.
New Olympia Market
📍 Address: Summerville com, bldg#1, Upper Tumon, 96913 Guam
‘New Olympia Market’, located in Upper Tumon, is a market specializing primarily in Korean fresh produce. Despite its modest size, its high specialization has earned enthusiastic support from Japanese expatriates and students alike.
One notable feature is the availability of East Asian specific vegetables and fruits such as shiso (perilla), daikon radish, and persimmons depending on the season. Furthermore, it offers an array of hard-to-find items like ground pork, essential for Japanese cooking, authentically seasoned Korean karashi mentaiko (spicy pollack roe), and a wide variety of kimchi. The fact that it’s a reputable store where credit cards are readily accepted adds to the peace of mind.
And what you absolutely want to aim for is the ‘homemade Kinpab’ (Korean rice rolls) made by the friendly Korean owner himself. It’s sold from 8 AM daily except Sundays, and many regulars visit specifically for it. It’s sure to be a reliable option for breakfast or lunch takeout.
Tokyo Mart
📍 Address: 267 Chalan San Antonio, Apotgan, 96913 Guam
Located behind Guam Premier Outlets (GPO), ‘Tokyo Mart’ is, as its name suggests, a Japanese supermarket brimming with Japanese food and daily necessities. Employees often communicate in Japanese, creating a sense of security as if you were in a local supermarket in Japan.
What’s appealing to travelers and long-term visitors is the extensive selection of bento boxes, deli items, and frozen foods. Many bento boxes can be purchased for under $10, and ‘Japanese-style fish deli items’ such as salmon, black cod, and hijiki stew are particularly popular. It’s a valuable place to find a ‘traditional Japanese bento’ when your stomach is weary from American junk food and you suddenly crave something familiar.
If your hotel or apartment has a microwave, stocking up on relatively inexpensive Japanese frozen foods is also a smart strategy for your stay, significantly contributing to food cost savings and mental well-being during a long trip.
Village of Donki – Don Don Donki Guam
📍 Address: 120 Chalan Pasaheru STE 101, Tamuning, 96913 Guam
Opened in April 2024 in the Tamuning district, ‘Village of Donki (Don Don Donki)’ has since transformed the shopping scene in Guam. Boasting a vast interior, touted as one of the world’s largest, it features wide, Americanized aisles unlike the compressed displays found in Japanese Donki stores. It even has car-shaped shopping carts with handles, allowing families with small children to shop comfortably.
Beyond Japanese imported food and daily necessities, the huge food court is also not to be missed. It houses Japanese food chains like Marugame Seimen and CoCo Ichibanya, and its deli section offers customizable poké bowls (locals recommend choosing sushi rice), which have become quite popular. However, the poké bowls are very generous in portion, so it’s advisable to share them or for those with smaller appetites to be mindful.
There are two ‘tips for navigating’ that you should know before you go. First is the shuttle bus stop. The pickup points for the direct PIC bus and the dedicated Donki shuttle are separate (and can sometimes change), so always confirm your destination with staff wearing black Donki T-shirts. Second is payment at the register. Even if a discount is displayed in the store, it might not be reflected at the register. Therefore, it’s recommended to practice ‘self-defense’ by taking a photo of the discounted item’s shelf and verifying it during checkout.
Pay-Less Supermarket
📍 Address: 445 Gov Carlos G Camacho Rd, Oka, 96913 Guam
Lastly, we introduce the Oka store of ‘Pay-Less Supermarkets,’ a leading local supermarket with multiple branches across Guam. It’s also within walking distance from Hoshino Resorts (Risonare Guam), making it a very convenient location for quick shopping.
Unlike Asian supermarkets, this one primarily features imported foods from the U.S. mainland. While it has fewer deli items, for guests staying in apartments or condominiums with cooking facilities, it’s the ultimate playground to procure ‘American-sized meats’ at affordable prices. You can buy thick steak cuts, like those served in restaurants, for less than half the price, and also find reasonably priced tuna sashimi and poké.
Another joy is finding unique American foods like the highly-rated ‘Chobani’ yogurt or character-themed macaroni and cheese. Be aware that the air conditioning in the store is ‘blasting’ to maintain food freshness, making it very cold. Always bring a jacket or cardigan when you go shopping.
Summary: The Key to Successful Supermarket Shopping in Guam
Mastering the smart use of supermarkets can significantly impact your quality of life (QOL) during a medium to long-term stay in Guam. For self-catering, the best approach is to procure affordable steak cuts and American ingredients from Pay-Less, while supplementing with ‘thinly sliced meat,’ ‘Asian vegetables,’ and ‘seasonings’ from Happy Mart or New Olympia Market.
Also, we highly recommend bringing your own reusable shopping bags and cooler bags from Japan. Guam experiences high temperatures throughout the year, so proper cooling measures are essential when buying ice cream or fresh produce.
Each supermarket has its specialty (e.g., Tokyo Mart and Donki for Japanese food, New Olympia Market for Korean ingredients and Kinpab). Utilize the local markets that best suit your accommodation’s facilities (such as microwave availability and kitchen completeness) to enjoy a comfortable stay in Guam.
