The Charm of Saitama’s Deep-Rooted Vietnamese Community
In recent years, Saitama Prefecture has seen a rapid increase in Vietnamese international students and long-term residents. This surge has led to the emergence of local Vietnamese supermarkets throughout the prefecture, bringing with them the ‘authentic flavors and vibrant atmosphere’ of Vietnam.
These stores come in various forms, offering everything from rare seasonings you won’t find at import stores like Kaldi, to homemade deli items prepared by local Vietnamese mothers, and even community hubs complete with eateries and billiard tables. In this article, we’ve carefully selected and will introduce Saitama’s truly deep and charming Vietnamese supermarkets frequented by locals and long-term residents alike.
Viet Mama’s Aji (Viet Mama’s Flavor)
📍 Address: 2-1052-2 Nisshincho, Kita-ku, Saitama-shi, Saitama Prefecture 331-0823, Japan
‘Viet Mama’s Aji’ is an absolute must-visit if you’re looking for ‘truly delicious homemade Vietnamese flavors’ around Nisshin Station in Kita Ward, Saitama City. The owner, with a background as a food researcher, recreates ‘mother’s flavors,’ and the store is filled with the warmth of homemade goods.
Highly recommended are the handmade ‘bánh’ (rice cakes) and Vietnamese-style ‘satsuma-age’ (fried fish cakes). These offer an authentic taste unmatched by mass-produced items and are highly praised by local Vietnamese customers, who give them ‘a perfect 10 for quality!’ Sweet tooths shouldn’t miss the special ‘Vietnamese-style zenzai (chè).’ This delightful dessert, combining the white pith of pomelo peel, green peas, and rich coconut milk, evokes the feeling of a tropical breeze.
It’s also perfect for finding seasonings, including ‘sate tom,’ a Vietnamese chili oil that’s recently become popular in Japan, and Vietnamese green tea, which has a comforting taste similar to Japanese ‘fukamushi sencha.’ The staff’s Japanese is very fluent, and their hospitality is well-regarded, making it easy to ask about unfamiliar ingredients or delicious ways to prepare instant pho – a delightful bonus.
Hoa Lu Quan
📍 Address: 1-2-4 Kamifukuoka, Fujimino-shi, Saitama Prefecture 356-0004, Japan
Right outside Kamifukuoka Station’s East Exit in Fujimino City, you’ll find ‘Hoa Lu Quan,’ a hidden gem marked by a ‘Sugarcane Juice’ sign that’s even visible from the station platform! The biggest highlight of this shop is its 100% fresh sugarcane juice, vigorously squeezed right in front of you using a dedicated machine.
While enjoying a cup on the spot is fantastic, a quietly popular option among locals and long-term residents is to take it away in a ‘recycled PET bottle.’ Take it home, pour it into a glass with plenty of ice, squeeze in a little lime, and you’ll instantly feel transported to a Hanoi street cafe. Since it’s fresh juice, it’s essential to drink it on the same day.
Furthermore, an authentic Vietnamese eatery is attached to the back of the store. You can savor hearty local noodle dishes like the ‘Seafood Noodle Soup,’ overflowing with ingredients, or the ‘Roast Pork Noodle Soup,’ rich with the savory flavor of meat. It’s a highly satisfying spot where you can not only buy ingredients but also fill your stomach.
Vietcook NishiKawaguchi Cửa Đông
📍 Address: Solid Refine NishiKawaguchi 1F, 3-3-11 Namiki, Kawaguchi-shi, Saitama Prefecture 332-0034, Japan
Located in the Namiki shopping street of the renowned ‘Little Asia’ area of NishiKawaguchi, ‘Vietcook NishiKawaguchi Cửa Đông’ is an up-and-coming Vietnamese grocery chain expanding its presence in the Kanto region. This store’s greatest strength is its ‘overwhelming cost performance.’ Vietnamese rice, and ‘mắm tôm’ (fermented shrimp paste), a fermented seasoning with an addictive strong aroma, are lined up at exceptionally low prices compared to other stores, making it a lifeline for international students and long-term residents looking to save on living expenses.
Tucked away at the back of the store is an incredibly affordable eatery that shatters the price standards of surrounding Vietnamese restaurants. You can enjoy classic pho, or ‘bún chả’ (vermicelli with grilled pork and dipping sauce), a dipping noodle dish characterized by its sweet sauce – experiencing the authentic taste and prices of a local Vietnamese street stall right here in NishiKawaguchi.
However, as this area is vibrant and bustling, the space in front of the store is a spot where bicycle and car parking violations are strictly monitored. When visiting, be sure to use nearby coin parking or designated bicycle parking areas, and enjoy your shopping smartly while respecting local rules.
Chợ Việt D.H.A Kitamoto Saitama
📍 Address: Ogawa Building 1F, 2-26-3 Kitamoto, Kitamoto-shi, Saitama Prefecture 364-0006, Japan
‘Chợ Việt D.H.A Kitamoto Saitama’ is a bustling hub for the Vietnamese community living in the Kitamoto area. While it excels as a daily supermarket with its wide selection and affordable prices, what fundamentally sets this store apart from others is the presence of a ‘billiard table’ inside.
Billiards is a very popular pastime in Vietnam, and here, it’s a common sight for people to pick up a cue after shopping and have a lively time with compatriots. It truly functions as a ‘community hub,’ making it easy for communication to naturally spark, even for international students or technical trainees visiting alone.
The friendly and accommodating owner also contributes to the comfortable atmosphere of this store. This spot is highly recommended for anyone who wants to experience local connections and the authentic Vietnamese vibe firsthand, beyond just buying groceries.
【Tips】Local Know-How for a Successful Shopping Trip at Vietnamese Supermarkets
Vietnamese grocery stores operate differently from typical Japanese supermarkets. Here are a few tips to navigate them smartly, blending in with the locals.
First, ‘don’t hesitate to ask if you don’t understand something.’ It’s not uncommon for packages to be entirely in Vietnamese, but many stores (especially places like ‘Viet Mama’s Aji’) have staff fluent in Japanese. If you ask, ‘How do I best prepare these instant noodles?’ or ‘What kind of dishes is this vegetable used in?’, they’ll gladly share delicious local ways to enjoy them.
Also, when visiting by car or bicycle for dining or shopping, pay close attention to parking etiquette. Stores located in busy areas or near stations often have strictly enforced no-parking zones on the street in front, which can easily lead to trouble. Researching nearby parking lots in advance is a golden rule for long-term residents and local pros.
Finally, if you spot homemade deli items or fresh sweets (like sugarcane juice or chè), we highly recommend trying them without hesitation. These items don’t keep long, making them a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ local gourmet experience unique to ‘that day, that place.’ So, please use all your senses to savor Saitama’s deep Vietnamese flavors.
