How to Navigate Shimokitazawa for Authentic Asian Ingredients
Shimokitazawa is known as a hub of culture and youth, bustling with famous curry restaurants and ethnic eateries. However, ‘pure Asian supermarkets’ are not abundant right near the station. Yet, international students, long-term residents seeking local flavors, and cooking enthusiasts among the locals have built a deep shopping network by extending their reach slightly beyond the immediate area.
By traveling a few stops on the Odakyu Line or venturing towards Shinjuku/Shin-Okubo, you can access ‘serious Asian supermarkets’ that offer fresh herbs and spices rarely seen in Japan, along with local Southeast Asian sweets. Furthermore, even supermarkets right in front of Shimokitazawa Station offer surprisingly unique ingredients.
This article introduces a carefully selected list of passionate Asian supermarkets and deep ingredient/miscellaneous goods spots that you absolutely must know if you’re based in Shimokitazawa.
Asia Super Store
📍 Address: 2F, 1-8-2 Okubo, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 169-0072, Japan
About a 15-minute train ride from Shimokitazawa. Stepping into ‘Asia Super Store’ near Higashi-Shinjuku Station is like being transported to an authentic local supermarket in Thailand, from the aroma to the temperature. It’s a hidden gem, constantly bustling with Thai staff, international students, and Japanese people who love Thailand.
Its biggest feature is the overwhelming selection of fresh foods and deli items rarely found in typical Japanese supermarkets. You’ll find fresh Thai vegetables like dill, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, holy basil, and green papaya, all essential for authentic Thai cooking. The store also boasts a wide range of lunchboxes and sweets, including lesser-known local delicacies like ‘Khao Tom Mat’ (banana sticky rice steamed in banana leaves), ‘Khao Niao Dam’ (black sticky rice with coconut milk), and ‘Khanom Mo Kaeng’ (a Thai custard pudding with an intriguing omelet-like taste).
Unlike the often cluttered atmosphere of other Asian supermarkets, this store’s product display is beautifully organized. Thai-version Knorr consommé (pork/chicken), popular among regulars, comes in powder form and is delicious in pho soup or even eaten directly. You can even find ‘Ya Dom’ (Thai herbal inhaler) and Thai tableware, offering a small taste of travel. Payment is cash only, so don’t forget your wallet.
Shin-Okubo Asian Market
📍 Address: 1-10-13 Hyakunincho, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 169-0073, Japan
Standing out with a strong presence in the back alleys of Shin-Okubo is ‘Shin-Okubo Asian Market’. The store, exuding the aroma of Nepalese and Indian spices, is packed with products along narrow aisles, truly resembling an Asian alleyway bazaar. It covers a wide range of ingredients from Southeast to South Asia.
The charm of this store lies in its ‘affordability’ and ‘deep selection’. On sale days, vegetables and fruits like bell peppers and bananas are sold at unbelievably low prices, and instant noodles can be bought for mere tens of yen, offering a local price feeling that is simply irresistible. You can also find niche ingredients like canned goat meat and a large variety of spices.
Although it might seem intimidating at first glance, the product details, quantity, price, and expiration dates are clearly displayed in Japanese, making it foreigner-friendly. The availability of small, easy-to-use portions is also a plus for cooking enthusiasts. Credit cards and electronic money are accepted, making it convenient for bulk purchases.
Ashu Taiyo Ichiba Chitose-Funabashi Store
📍 Address: 2-29-16 Sakuragaoka, Setagaya City, Tokyo 156-0054, Japan
Located just outside the ticket gate of Chitose-Funabashi Station, a little over 10 minutes from Shimokitazawa on the Odakyu Line, ‘Ashu Taiyo Ichiba Chitose-Funabashi Store’ is a massive Asian food specialty store that can be called a savior for Setagaya residents. It boasts approximately 2,000 types of ingredients from the Asia-Pacific region, including China, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The store is spacious, bright, and clean, making it a very easy shopping experience even for ethnic food beginners. The selection of instant noodles and seasonings, in particular, is impressive. You can find all the ingredients needed to enjoy an authentic hot pot at home, such as Haidilao hot pot sets. They also carry cosmetic goods like Korean sheet masks and hand creams.
For health-conscious individuals, ‘jujubes (Chinese dates)’ are also recommended, which can be added to samgyetang or eaten as is. These traditional Chinese medicine ingredients, which women are advised to eat three a day, are readily available. It’s a highly valuable spot for long-term residents to procure various Asian ingredients daily without having to go all the way to Shin-Okubo or Ikebukuro.
Ozeki Shimokitazawa Store
📍 Address: 2-9-5 Kitazawa, Setagaya City, Tokyo 155-0031, Japan
Although not an Asian supermarket, ‘Ozeki Shimokitazawa Store’, just a 2-minute walk from the east exit of the station, is an absolute must-visit for finding ethnic ingredients in Shimokitazawa. The distinctive building with its navy blue exterior walls and rose pink and white mushroom-like patterns is a vital hub for local life.
With the nearby Peacock Store closing for rebuilding in January 2025, Ozeki’s importance as a large supermarket in the Shimokitazawa area has grown even further. What makes this Ozeki so impressive is its exceptional ‘freshness’ and ‘niche selection’ that goes beyond the scope of a typical supermarket. Its meat and fresh fish sections boast top-class quality in the surrounding area, with domestic beef offal (beef small intestine) being perfect for authentic motsunabe (gut hotpot) or stir-fries.
And above all, its greatest appeal is the casual presence of rare fruits like ‘longan’, often eaten in Southeast Asia, and unusual vegetables. You can enjoy a treasure hunt experience, procuring ingredients from the special sale corner at the entrance to the meat and fresh fish section on the second floor. A partnered parking lot in the basement of Honda Theater (with discounts based on shopping amount) is available for large hauls.
RIRI MARKET
📍 Address: 2-39-15 Kitazawa, Setagaya City, Tokyo 155-0031, Japan
The last spot we introduce is not about ingredients, but a place to experience ‘Asian pop culture’. ‘RIRI MARKET’ on Shimokitazawa Ichibangai Shopping Street is a shop that collects surreal and cute miscellaneous goods and stickers, mainly selected from Thailand and other parts of Asia.
The colorful and pop exterior catches the eye, and inside, stationery, accessories, and socks with a ‘Heisei retro’ vibe are crammed together. Many one-of-a-kind items, such as handmade dolls displayed by artists, are available at reasonable prices.
It’s an ideal spot to drop by after eating at an ethnic restaurant in Shimokitazawa or between grocery runs at the supermarket. You’re sure to have an exciting treasure hunt experience, as if you were wandering through a local Asian market.
Shimokitazawa Asian Shopping Guide: Summary
While Shimokitazawa Station is a cultural hub, for international students and locals who cook daily, ‘where to buy authentic ingredients’ is where their knowledge shines. The smart local strategy involves sourcing high-quality meat and unique vegetables as a base from Ozeki in front of the station, then heading to Ashu Taiyo Ichiba in Chitose-Funabashi on the Odakyu Line on weekends, or buying authentic spices in bulk at Asia Super Store in the Shinjuku area.
Each store has distinct strengths that make it ‘the only place to buy certain items’. Tailor your shopping destinations to the type of cuisine you want to cook and the level of authenticity you seek, and enjoy a rich and ethnic culinary life around Shimokitazawa.
