Are you studying or living long-term in Madrid, Spain? While tapas and paella are delicious, do you ever find yourself craving that familiar taste of Asia?
In fact, the center of Madrid is dotted with Asian supermarkets that are enthusiastically supported by locals and resident Asians. In particular, ‘Calle de Leganitos’ (Leganitos Street), near Plaza de España, has recently formed its own culture as Madrid’s ‘Little Asia,’ an area that’s exciting just to walk through.
This time, we’ve carefully selected and introduce 5 essential Asian supermarkets in Madrid that cover everything from daily cooking essentials and condiments to niche imported snacks and even otaku culture. Don’t miss out on real shopping tips to avoid mistakes!
华联商场
📍 Address: C. de Leganitos, 33, Centro, 28013 Madrid, Spain
‘Hualian Supermarket’ is the cornerstone of Madrid’s ‘Little Asia’ on Leganitos Street, having supported the stomachs of locals and students for over a decade. It boasts excellent access from Plaza de España station and operates all day, making its convenience a major draw for dropping by after language school or work.
The store is well-organized and offers a wide range of products, focusing on Chinese, Korean, and Japanese ingredients. In particular, the availability of fresh Asian vegetables like winter melon, water spinach, bean sprouts, and napa cabbage, which are hard to find in typical Spanish markets, is an incredibly welcome point for long-term residents who cook for themselves.
Recently, in response to the growing demand for Japanese food, the selection of Japanese snacks and instant ramen has rapidly increased. Furthermore, the frozen food section offers a rich variety of dumplings, shrimp, and meatballs, perfect for easily adding a side dish to your meal. It’s a lively, classic spot frequented by local Asians.
Hualian Market II
📍 Address: C. de Leganitos, 9, Centro, 28013 Madrid, Spain
This is the second branch of ‘Hualian Supermarket’, located closer to Plaza del Callao, also along Leganitos Street. Compared to the first store, this branch is significantly larger, with wider aisles, making it ideal for those who want to shop leisurely with a cart.
The product range, leveraging the vast logistics network of a Chinese company, is impressive, featuring everything from condiments, dried goods, rice, and noodles to niche Southeast Asian specialties. What particularly delights local Asian culture fans is the ‘Mochi’ and snack section, offering a diverse array of flavors. It’s perfect for finding souvenirs or a little treat for yourself.
Many checkout staff are fluent in Spanish, and the atmosphere is open, with local Spanish customers using the store daily. While processed foods with short shelf lives, such as rice noodles and tofu puffs, are abundant, the trick to enjoying them deliciously is to consume them soon after purchase.
Sugoi Station
📍 Address: C. de Leganitos, 35, Centro, 28013 Madrid, Spain
Located right next to ‘Hualian Supermarket’ (Branch 1), ‘Sugoi Station’ is a concept store that blends Japanese pop culture and food, enjoying immense popularity among Madrid’s youth (often referred to as ‘frikis’ – anime and game fans).
Inside, high-quality figures and anime merchandise imported directly from Japan are crammed together, making you feel as if you’ve wandered into Akihabara or Harajuku in Tokyo. Moreover, items that pique the interest of local collectors, such as colorful Japanese snacks, unique flavored ciders, and peach iced tea, are available at affordable prices.
However, here’s a crucial point unique to international supermarkets: due to long-distance imports, some perishable items like daifuku and certain foods may occasionally be near or past their expiration date. Checking the ‘expiration date’ (賞味期限) on the back of the package before purchasing is a golden rule for smart living abroad.
東京屋 日本食材専門店
📍 Address: Av. del Pdte. Carmona, 9, Tetuán, 28020 Madrid, Spain
Located in Madrid’s northern Tetuán district, ‘Tokyoya’ is a pioneer of the Japanese food boom in Spain, founded in 1981. It transcends the typical supermarket, also handling wholesale for local Japanese restaurants, earning it deep trust from professional chefs for its quality.
The abundance of essential seasonings like dashi, miso, and soy sauce is unparalleled in Madrid. The variety of natto alone is astonishing, and it satisfies specific cravings for items like matcha powder and Japanese instant noodles. Often, commercial-sized products not displayed in the store are available in a separate warehouse, so if you can’t find something, asking the Japanese staff is a useful trick.
While prices might be slightly higher compared to general Asian supermarkets, the absolute reassurance that ‘you can definitely find authentic Japanese flavors here’ soothes a heart weary from long travels or stays. Online orders are available, but to avoid stockouts, it’s more reliable to visit the store in person.
Mashu Market
📍 Address: C/ de Hortaleza, 38, Centro, 28004 Madrid, Spain
‘Mashu Market’ is located right in the heart of Chueca, Madrid’s central and trend-setting district. It’s an Asian oasis with an excellent location, perfect for popping in while sightseeing or shopping.
Although the store’s area is compact, popular items from various Asian countries, such as Japanese ramen, Korean kimchi snacks, and Chinese bubble tea, are efficiently displayed. The staff’s hospitality is exceptionally high, and the welcoming atmosphere, where they gladly help you find what you’re looking for, has created many repeat customers.
Handmade deli items like onigiri and sushi are also sold at the storefront, but timing is everything when purchasing bento boxes. The rice can harden if it has been on display for too long, so aim for fresh items that have just been put out, or communicate with the staff, asking ‘Was this made today?’ to ensure a more satisfying local experience.
Column: 3 Golden Rules for Smart Asian Grocery Shopping in Madrid
For students and long-term residents to enjoy a fulfilling self-catering life in Madrid, adapting to local shopping rules is crucial. Finally, we share the golden rules for making 120% use of Asian supermarkets.
1. Always check the expiration date (Fecha de caducidad) ‘just before buying’!
Many products in Spanish Asian supermarkets are imported from the other side of the world. Due to logistics, it’s common for items nearing their expiration date to be sold at full price. Make it a habit to always check the date on the package before heading to the register.
2. For handmade deli items, ‘gauge the arrival timing’
Onigiri and bento boxes sold in a corner of the supermarket are perfect for a snack. However, don’t expect the thorough quality control (like scheduled disposal) found in Japanese convenience stores. For rice-based deli items, the absolute condition for delicious eating is to aim for freshly made, soft ones.
3. He who masters frozen ingredients masters home cooking
Freshly sliced meat and Asian vegetables might have irregular delivery days or sell out quickly. That’s where the frozen section comes in handy. Keeping large quantities of frozen dumplings, frozen seafood, and fish cakes on hand allows you to enjoy authentic Asian soups and hot pots anytime.
