5 Must-Visit Asian Supermarkets Near Shibuya | Authentic Grocers for Students & Locals

In this article, we introduce five carefully selected deep-dive spots that anyone craving authentic local flavors absolutely must know about—from Asian deli spots directly connected to Shibuya Station, perfect for busy days, to some of Tokyo’s top authentic Asian markets accessible via the Yamanote Line and Fukutoshin Line.

cocochili

📍 Address: 2-24-12 Shibuya, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0002, Japan

Located on B2F of ‘Shibuya Scramble Square,’ directly connected to Shibuya Station, cocochili is a new style of Asian ethnic deli specialty store. It’s truly an oasis for busy business people and international students who say, ‘I don’t have time to buy ingredients from scratch at a supermarket, but I want to eat authentic Asian cuisine!’

The menu is supervised by a Thai chef who received a Bib Gourmand award, guaranteeing its quality. Particularly popular are the bento boxes (combos) where you can freely choose side dishes like Gapao, Pad Thai, and Yam Wun Sen. Many repeat customers return because they can enjoy the authentic taste of a Thai restaurant at home or in the office.

The ‘Ethnic Party Set,’ which includes dishes like Garlic Shrimp, Tom Yum Fried Chicken, and Gai Yang (Thai grilled chicken), is also perfect for home parties or small gatherings. Authentic Thai rice (Jasmine rice) is also properly served, and the biggest appeal is being able to easily enjoy the ‘local vibe’ without the dishes being overly sweetened or arranged in a Japanese style.

Yamaya Dogenzaka-kami Store

📍 Address: 3-6 Maruyama-cho, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0044, Japan

If you’re looking for imported foods, Asian alcoholic beverages, or snacks in the Shibuya area, ‘Yamaya Dogenzaka-kami Store’ is not to be missed. While it has a strong image as one of Japan’s leading large-scale liquor retailers, it actually boasts an astonishingly rich selection of imported ingredients, seasonings, and snacks, making it highly valued by locals and restaurant professionals in the vicinity.

You can find a wide range of alcoholic beverages at reasonable prices, including beers from various Asian countries (such as Taiwan Beer and Singha) and shochu from China and Korea. Perhaps due to the weakening yen, it’s common to see foreign tourists and international students visiting in search of tastes from their homelands.

Additionally, popular overseas snacks, pasta, and Asian-flavored seasonings are quietly displayed, making it incredibly convenient when you want to quickly grab some ethnic groceries in the heart of Shibuya. If you’re looking for Asian snacks that pair well with drinks, checking here first is the right move.

Asia Super Store

📍 Address: 2F, 1-8-2 Okubo, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 169-0072, Japan

Just a 3-minute walk from ‘Higashi-Shinjuku Station’ on a direct Fukutoshin Line train from Shibuya, you’ll find ‘Asia Super Store,’ one of Japan’s largest specialty Thai ingredient shops. Praised in reviews as ‘the closest place to Thailand in Japan,’ stepping inside gives you the illusion of being instantly transported to a local Thai supermarket.

Inside, you’ll find a wide array of rare fresh herbs never seen in typical Japanese supermarkets (such as kaffir lime leaves, holy basil, lemongrass, dill), along with seasonings like coconut milk, tamarind, and chili in oil. Furthermore, they stock essential tableware and cooking utensils for Thai cuisine, and even daily necessities like the classic ‘Ya Dom’ (nasal inhaler).

Not to be missed are the handmade Thai sweets and deli items. With an enticing display of Khao Tom Mat (steamed sticky rice with banana), Khanom Mo Kaeng (Thai-style pudding), Khao Man Gai, and Som Tum, what starts as a quick shopping trip is sure to end with a basket full of goods due to sheer excitement. This is an absolute must-visit pilgrimage site for any Southeast Asian food lover.

Kakyō Fukumusha (Overseas Chinese Service Center)

📍 Address: Kamikura Building, 2-11-2 Hyakunincho, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 169-0073, Japan

Located right by Shin-Okubo Station, accessible from Shibuya via the Yamanote Line, ‘Kakyō Fukumusha (Overseas Chinese Service Center)’ boasts an overwhelming scale, with the entire building dedicated to Chinese ingredients. From the basement floor up, each level is packed with specialized foodstuffs, making it a ‘spiritual home’ for international students and long-term residents from mainland China and Taiwan.

On the basement floor, you’ll find authentic Chinese seasonings like Pixian Doubanjiang, Sichuan peppercorn powder, five-spice powder, Chinese soy sauce, and fermented black beans, available in commercial sizes and at incredibly low prices. Tea varieties are also abundant, with authentic Chinese teas in 500g packs available affordably. Ascending to the 2nd-floor freezer section reveals a full lineup of niche meats and semi-prepared foods, including cylindrical frozen lamb essential for hot pot, dumplings, and various kinds of ‘wanzi’ (meatballs).

The store is filled with a distinctive aroma of spices, and most of the languages spoken are Chinese. For those who want to recreate authentic ‘Gachi Chuka’ (real Chinese food) at home, or are planning a genuine hot pot party, this is the best place to source all your ingredients. Be aware that mobile phone reception can be poor in the basement, so exercise a little caution if using electronic payments.

Ajia Taiyo Ichiba Chitose-Funabashi Store

📍 Address: 2-29-16 Sakuragaoka, Setagaya City, Tokyo 156-0054, Japan

Right in front of Chitose-Funabashi Station, easily accessible from Shibuya via the Odakyu Line (via Shimokitazawa), is ‘Ajia Taiyo Ichiba Chitose-Funabashi Store.’ This supermarket is like a theme park, having gathered approximately 2,000 types of ingredients from 21 countries and regions across Asia, including not only Korea, China, and Taiwan but also Vietnam, Thailand, India, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka.

While Japanese supermarkets are typically well-organized, Asian supermarkets can often feel a bit cluttered. However, this store stands out with its bright interior, spacious aisles, cleanliness, and beautifully arranged displays. A major highlight is that even first-time visitors to an Asian grocery store can enjoy shopping with peace of mind.

It covers a wide range of genres, from instant noodles from various countries lining an entire wall, authentic hot pot sets, frozen dim sum, to even Korean cosmetics. Niche seasonings that could only be bought online, such as jujubes for Samgyetang (Korean ginseng chicken soup) and various spicy sauces from Southeast Asia, can be found here, making it an irresistible space for cooking enthusiasts.

Bring Authentic Flavors Home! Tips for Conquering Asian Supermarkets

To make the most of the deep Asian supermarkets around Shibuya and throughout Tokyo, there are a few local tips you should know. First, in authentic grocery stores, product labels are often written only in the local language. If you find a seasoning or ready-made food that piques your interest, a secret to successful shopping is to decipher it on the spot using your smartphone’s translation app camera function.

Also, ‘frozen sections’ and ‘fresh herbs’ are must-checks at Southeast Asian and Chinese supermarkets. Items like pork with skin, sliced lamb, holy basil, and kaffir lime leaves—which are not available in regular Japanese supermarkets—are essential key ingredients for replicating authentic local flavors. These can sometimes be sold out depending on delivery times, so if you find them, we recommend buying them immediately.

Finally, some deep local stores may still only accept cash payments, so it’s a good idea to bring some cash when you go shopping. For your weekend home drinking sessions or parties, be sure to enjoy an extraordinary food procurement experience at these supermarkets!