A Lifesaver for Expats! Asian Supermarkets in Los Angeles & Medellín
During long-term stays, studies abroad, or as a digital nomad, it’s inevitable to miss ‘Japanese flavors’ and ‘Asian seasonings’. While enjoying local food culture is a joy, sometimes you just want to relax your stomach with a comforting home-cooked meal.
This time, we’ve carefully selected and introduced valuable Asian supermarkets for long-term residents and international students living in Medellín, Colombia. Additionally, we’ll explain the must-visit classic Japanese supermarket in Los Angeles, a major transit point for those heading to Central and South America. We’ll share insights into local market prices and shopping tips, so be sure to check them out!
Marukai
📍 Address: 123 Astronaut Ellison S Onizuka St #105, Los Angeles, CA 90012, United States
If you’re staying in Los Angeles as a transit point for your flight to Medellín, Colombia, Marukai in Little Tokyo is an absolute must-visit. Established in Hawaii in 1965, this long-standing supermarket has supported the Japanese community on the West Coast of the United States. The store is filled with an exciting atmosphere, much like Japan’s Don Quijote.
Inside, you’ll find a vast array of familiar Japanese seasonings, deli items, frozen foods, and daily necessities. Due to high prices and shipping costs, prices are higher than in Japan, but there’s an abundance of ingredients like Kobe beef-style steaks and Japanese-flavored chicken that you can quickly cook at your accommodation. There are also budget-friendly items, such as a gallon of drinking water for $0.99. The quality of their bentos and sushi is also high, making it the perfect spot to rest your stomach after a long journey and find a taste of home.
Primavera asian market
📍 Address: Cl. 9 #43B-127, El Poblado, Medellín, El Poblado, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Medellín is one of South America’s premier digital nomad hotspots. Among its districts, El Poblado, where many foreigners gather and safety is relatively stable, ‘Primavera Asian Market’ is indispensable for those seeking Asian ingredients. Finding Asian ingredients within Medellín can be a challenge, but this store has garnered fervent support from local residents who exclaim, ‘They have everything I need!’
The store boasts a rich lineup including natto, sushi rice, kimchi, and instant noodles like Shin Ramyun and Chapagetti. With sushi rice at 24,000 pesos (Colombian pesos) for 907g and kimchi at 70,000 pesos for 410g, the pricing is quite reasonable considering the import costs from the other side of the world. The friendly, bearded owner is also a highlight, providing excellent customer service. This is a must-visit store when you want to add some spice to your home-cooked meals during a long stay in Medellín.
Korea Asia Market
📍 Address: Cra. 70 #circular1-45, Laureles – Estadio, Medellín, Laureles, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
‘Korea Asia Market’, with stores near the stadium in the popular Laureles district in western Medellín, is a valuable oasis where you can find Korean instant noodles and snacks, as well as a small selection of Japanese seasonings (soy sauce, mirin, tonkatsu sauce, curry roux, etc.) while in Colombia.
The biggest highlight of this store is its eat-in corner where you can prepare and enjoy ramen purchased on the spot! It’s a hidden gem for local youth and international students, allowing them to quickly cook and savor classic noodles like Shin Ramyun. However, be aware of the high prices due to imports, such as Japanese curry roux costing about 80,000 pesos, and the fact that credit cards might not be accepted (cash payment is primary). Be sure to prepare enough cash beforehand and visit it like a treasure hunt!
Tips for Smartly Getting Asian Ingredients in Medellín
When exploring Asian supermarkets in Medellín, there are a few points long-term residents should keep in mind. First, since Colombia is far from Japan and Asia, transportation costs inevitably add up, making product prices higher. Therefore, a smart cooking strategy is to buy only ‘essential basic seasonings’ like soy sauce and sesame oil from Asian supermarkets, and source vegetables, meat, and eggs at local prices from local supermarkets (like D1, Ara, or Éxito) or ‘Plaza Minorista’ (Minorista Market).
Additionally, some local stores may not accept credit cards, or popular items might suddenly be out of stock for extended periods. The selection at Medellín’s Asian supermarkets changes daily, so the golden rule is: ‘If you see it, buy it now,’ rather than ‘I’ll get it next time!’
