Introduction: Essential Asian Supermarkets for Self-Catering in Melbourne
Melbourne, Australia’s culinary capital, is brimming with cafes and multicultural restaurants. However, for long-term residents, international students, and Japanese expatriates living here, knowing where to find ‘familiar Japanese flavors’ and ‘Asian condiments’ is a crucial matter that significantly impacts their quality of life.
Melbourne is dotted with Asian supermarkets of all sizes, but each store specializes in different genres, price ranges, and product selections. This time, we’ve carefully selected five ‘truly useful’ Asian supermarkets that are highly popular among locals and international students. We’ll take a deep dive into unique local items you can only buy at each store and essential shopping tips.
Tokyo Hometown Japanese Supermarket 友达 东京市场 （墨尔本日本超市）
📍 Address: Suite 1/440 Elizabeth St, Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia
Quietly nestled along Elizabeth Street in Melbourne’s central business district (CBD), this store feels like a Japanese convenience store or mini-supermarket has been teleported directly here. It offers a wide range of products, from fresh and frozen foods to seasonings, covering almost all daily necessities.
Its greatest appeal is the abundant selection of Japanese alcoholic beverages (such as chu-hai, highball, and umeshu), which are often hard to find in Melbourne. Due to strict local licensing regulations, only a limited number of supermarkets carry alcohol, making this a highly valued spot for weekend home drinking.
As an importer from Japan, prices are generally about three times higher than in Japan. However, considering the convenience of finding unique snacks and seasonal limited-edition items, it offers satisfying value. The store is clean, product shelves are clearly labeled, making it a reliable one-stop shop when you’re looking for a specific sauce or spice.
TANG – The Asian Food Emporium
📍 Address: 185 Russell St, Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia
Located on Russell Street near Chinatown, this long-established supermarket has supported Melbourne’s Asian community for decades. Formerly known as ‘Great Eastern Food Centre’, it’s always bustling with shoppers.
Its biggest draw is undoubtedly its wide product range and slightly more reasonable prices compared to other stores. You’ll find everyday Japanese staples like ‘Hoi Ko Ro no Moto’ (stir-fry sauce) and ‘Maruchan Seimen’ (instant ramen) casually stocked, which is a huge plus for expats and students. Beyond that, it carries Japanese dried goods, snacks, ice cream, as well as frozen fish and roe.
In addition to Japanese ingredients, the store is packed with spices, coconut milk, and dim sum from across Asia, including Taiwan, Malaysia, and Thailand. A small surcharge may apply when using a credit card, so it’s wise to have cash or check the conditions when making a bulk purchase.
Fuji Mart Melbourne
📍 Address: 34A Elizabeth St, South Yarra VIC 3141 Australia
While it requires a short tram ride from the CBD, Fuji Mart is an authentic Japanese supermarket located in South Yarra, an area popular among expatriates. A major advantage is its proximity to ‘Prahran Market’, where you can find fresh produce, making it easy to integrate into your weekend shopping routine.
The store’s interior feels just like a Japanese supermarket. The selection of natto alone is astonishingly vast, and it’s well-stocked with highly sought-after ingredients for home cooks, such as soba, tofu, and frozen thinly sliced meat. Japanese signage above each aisle allows you to easily find your desired products in an authentic atmosphere.
Its range of Japanese ingredients is exceptional compared to other stores, and many items are kept at lower prices thanks to direct imports through its own channels. If you spend over $50, you receive a complimentary 1-hour parking ticket for the affiliated parking lot, making this an absolute must-visit spot for long-term residents who come by car for their groceries.
Hometown Asian Supermarket
📍 Address: 2/440 Elizabeth St, Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia
Located in the same building (440 Elizabeth Street) as the previously introduced Tokyo Hometown, this sister store offers a comprehensive range of Asian groceries, covering a wider array of products from China, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and more.
This is a reliable store that international students and working holidaymakers should visit first when setting up their life in Melbourne. The interior is new, clean, and well-organized, allowing for stress-free shopping even during busy periods. You’ll find a wide selection of snacks, instant ramen, and sauces that aren’t typically available in local supermarkets, with new products arriving frequently.
The staff are also very knowledgeable; if you ask for advice when trying new products or searching for specific seasonings, they’ll guide you carefully, making them a strong ally for living locally.
Hinoki Japanese Pantry
📍 Address: 279 Smith St, Fitzroy VIC 3065 Australia
Located on Smith Street in the trendy Fitzroy area, Hinoki Japanese Pantry is a sophisticated Japanese food store and sushi bar that feels like a boutique. It transcends the typical supermarket, known as a gathering spot for local gourmands.
Here, you can find premium condiments and alcoholic beverages not commonly seen elsewhere, such as shiro shoyu (white soy sauce), artisanal dashi, and craft gins and sake from various regions of Japan. Particularly lauded among regulars is the store’s original ‘Umeboshi’ (pickled plum). Its exquisite balance of saltiness is so good that some claim it’s ‘one of the top three in 30 years of living in Australia,’ making it perfect as an onigiri filling.
Furthermore, you can order freshly made sushi and sashimi with exceptional freshness. They also offer unique rolled sushi like ‘Nosé Maki,’ making it a great option for a luxurious dinner at home. While there may be mixed reviews regarding customer service, the overwhelming uniqueness of their products and delicious sushi more than compensate, offering a compelling charm that makes you want to visit regularly.
[Helpful Column] Shopping Tips and Price Guide in Melbourne
To cleverly utilize Asian supermarkets in Melbourne, the golden rule is to ‘use different stores according to your purpose’.
If you want to quickly stock up on daily necessities after work or school, head to ‘TANG’ or ‘Hometown’ in the CBD. For a substantial weekly grocery haul by car on the weekend, ‘Fuji Mart’ in South Yarra is the only choice, thanks to its extensive selection and parking discounts. And if you’re looking for premium seasonings for a special occasion or delicious sushi, heading to ‘Hinoki’ in Fitzroy is the golden route for long-term residents.
Imported products from Japan are generally about 2.5 to 3 times the price in Japan due to shipping costs and customs duties. However, cooking at home can significantly reduce living expenses in Melbourne, where dining out is expensive. Australian supermarkets often charge for plastic bags (or don’t provide them), so remember to bring a sturdy reusable bag and an insulated bag for frozen items when you go shopping.
