Asian Supermarket Scene Supporting Life in Sydney
Sydney is one of the world’s most expensive cities, but scattered throughout the city are Asian supermarkets that serve as a ‘lifeline’ for international students, working holiday makers, and long-term residents. Not only can you find Japanese seasonings and ingredients, but it’s often possible to get certain Asian ingredients and fresh produce at significantly lower prices than at major Australian supermarkets like Coles and Woolworths.
This time, we’ve carefully selected 5 major Asian supermarkets and Japanese grocery stores around Sydney’s CBD (Central Business District) that you’ll want to use wisely depending on your purpose and situation. Beyond just introducing the stores, we delve deep into ‘must-buy items’, ‘hidden local delicacies’ that only residents would know, and ‘real-world shopping tips’.
Genki Mart
📍 Address: 537-539 Kent St, Sydney NSW 2000 Australia
This Japanese supermarket, which has gained popularity in Brisbane, Queensland, finally made its long-awaited debut in Sydney in Autumn 2025. Located on Kent Street, this store specializes in Japanese food and daily necessities, offering a wide array of Japanese ingredients you’ll miss while living in Australia. From dried fish and tofu to Japanese furikake (around $4), its appealing selection covers all the bases.
This store’s greatest strength is, without a doubt, its ‘unbeatable prices’. Many Japanese residents are grateful for its ‘4 packs of natto for $1.99’ pricing, which is exceptionally cheap considering Sydney’s cost of living. Furthermore, fresh produce is among the most cost-effective in Sydney, with eggs (which cost at least $5 at major supermarkets) at $4.2, half a cabbage or a quarter of a napa cabbage each for $1.3, and spring onions for $2.6. While there are many Asian supermarkets, a Japanese specialty store that offers fresh produce this cheaply is truly rare.
Don’t forget to try their famous ‘Matcha Soft Serve ($5)’ when you’re shopping. It’s squeezed on the spot and boasts a rich, authentic matcha flavor, making it extremely popular among locals. They also have a loyalty card system (sometimes they even give you extra stamps!), so it’s a must-visit main supermarket for working holiday makers and students who primarily cook for themselves.
Gong Grocer Asian Supermarket
📍 Address: World Square Shopping Centre, Lower Ground, Shop 8.01/644 George St, Sydney NSW 2000 Australia
Hidden in plain sight on the second basement floor of World Square (below the large Coles) in central Sydney, ‘Gong Grocer’ stands out with its distinct presence. This is a next-generation Asian market launched by the third generation of a founding family of a long-established Sydney Asian supermarket, with a modern and innovative concept.
The store is exceptionally clean, and the wide aisles make shopping with a cart very comfortable. Japanese food, along with trendy and niche ingredients and snacks from across Asia, including China, Korea, and Vietnam, are beautifully displayed. A significant feature is the integrated butchery and a curated selection of alcoholic beverages. For instance, ‘Oyster Bay’, a famous Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, can be found for around $20, making it a spot not to be missed by liquor enthusiasts.
During event seasons like Chinese New Year or Mid-Autumn Festival, the store bustles with even more energy, featuring beautifully packaged limited-edition mystery gift boxes and mooncakes. This supermarket is ideal when you want to buy something a little special, are looking for a small gift for a friend, or wish to ‘experience the vibrancy of Asia in a clean and comfortable environment’.
Thai Kee IGA X-press
📍 Address: 9-13 Hay St, Haymarket NSW 2000 Australia
Located on the first floor of Chinatown’s landmark ‘Market City’ (above Paddy’s Markets), this is one of Sydney’s largest and oldest Asian supermarkets. Since its establishment in 1981, it has supported the appetites of immigrants and international students, boasting an overwhelming selection of over 10,000 items. It’s often said that ‘if you can’t find an Asian ingredient at Thai Kee, it doesn’t exist’.
While primarily a Chinese supermarket, it also carries a very extensive range of Japanese seasonings and rice. The instant ramen section, in particular, is impressive; just gazing at the wall lined with various flavors of ‘Demae Itcho’ is exciting. Although it might have fewer niche Japanese products compared to specialty Japanese supermarkets, prices for standard seasonings and pantry staples are generally lower.
The vast store offers an atmosphere that can only be described as ‘Asian chaos’, allowing you to fully experience the exotic charm (Asia within Sydney) just by walking around. Its location on the first floor of Market City makes for a golden shopping route for locals: after stocking up on incredibly cheap fresh vegetables and fruits at Paddy’s Markets downstairs, they come here to buy Asian seasonings, rice, and meat before heading home.
Citisuper
📍 Address: Shop LG8 at, Walk down ramp (entrance next to Bellucci Cafe) on George Street or you can come down the escalators from the Food Court of ‘Pavillion on George, Town Hall, Shop LG16A/580 George St, Sydney NSW 2000 Australia
Located in the underground passage connecting Town Hall Station to ‘Pavillion on George’ along George Street, this Asian supermarket is incredibly accessible. It stocks every kind of Asian ingredient, from deli items to drinks and sauces, and its prices are more reasonable than major supermarkets, making it super convenient for a quick stop after work or school.
What’s particularly noteworthy about this supermarket is the food court attached next to it. The hot ‘steamed buns (Bao)’ and Taiwanese crepes, made to order, are exquisite, so much so that some local fans ‘specifically come to the city just for these’. It’s a hidden gem for Sydney’s casual gourmet scene, offering freshly made, delicious food at affordable prices.
However, there are a few points to note when visiting. It’s not uncommon in Australian local stores, but the staff (especially at the food counter) can sometimes be quite ‘blunt’ or ‘unfriendly’ in their service. If you expect the polite service found in Japan, you might be taken aback. Furthermore, there have been reports of discrepancies between shelf prices and checkout prices, as well as system errors adding unintended ‘refrigeration fees’ or other charges. After paying, always check your receipt and be persistent in pointing out any mistakes on the spot.
Konbini 8
📍 Address: 303 Pitt St, Sydney NSW 2000 Australia
Located behind Woolworths near Town Hall Station (on Pitt Street), ‘Konbini 8’ is an ‘oasis for the soul’ for Japanese people tired of life in Australia. While Australia does have convenience stores like 7-Eleven, they don’t have the bento or onigiri culture of Japan. However, this store perfectly replicates the lineup of a ‘Japanese convenience store’.
Inside, you’ll find familiar Japanese snacks, instant noodles, and instant miso soup, and drinks like Coca-Cola are cheaper than at surrounding stores. If your timing is right, handmade onigiri and nikuman (steamed meat buns) are sometimes sold near the cash register, making them perfect for breakfast or lunch on days when you don’t feel like cooking. Moreover, the presence of many kind Japanese staff who can speak Japanese is a welcome relief for international students who have just arrived in Australia.
While you can find niche Japanese products at reasonable prices, one thing to be careful about is ‘expiration dates’. It’s a common issue with imported food stores overseas, but occasionally, discounted items might include expired products. Making it a habit to always check the date on the package before purchasing will help you enjoy your shopping without any unpleasant surprises later.
[Column] Tips for Smartly Using Asian Supermarkets in Sydney
To reduce living costs and improve your quality of life (QOL) with food in expensive Sydney, knowing how to choose and use different supermarkets is an essential skill.
First, for general Western groceries like toilet paper, milk, and pasta, Coles, Woolworths, or ALDI are usually the go-to options. However, when you go beyond that and look for ‘rice’, ‘seasonings like soy sauce and miso’, ‘tofu and natto’, or ‘thinly sliced meat’, it’s time to visit the Asian supermarkets introduced in this article.
For example, if you want to ‘stock up on natto and Japanese vegetables cheaply today’, head to Genki Mart. If you’re ‘hosting a hot pot party with friends and want a wide selection of Asian broths, good alcohol, and snacks’, Gong Grocer is your spot. And if you ‘simply want to buy large quantities of rice and various instant noodles cheaply’, Thai Kee IGA is the place to go. Dividing your shopping by purpose in this way is the smartest approach.
Also, it’s true for all Asian supermarkets that due to import costs, prices will inevitably feel higher compared to those in Japan. However, in Sydney, where a single lunch at a local cafe can easily cost $20-$30, buying ingredients at an Asian supermarket and cooking Japanese food at home is both the best way to save money and a great form of mental care. We hope you find your favorite stores and products and enjoy a fulfilling life in Sydney!
