In recent years, the number of people coming to Japan from Vietnam as international students and technical interns has rapidly increased in Toyama Prefecture, and Vietnamese now make up the largest proportion of foreign residents. Consequently, ‘Vietnamese supermarkets’ and Asian grocery stores that support their stomachs and lives have been opening one after another across the prefecture.
The charm of these stores is that you can experience an authentic atmosphere, just like being on an overseas trip. Not only do they offer unique and deep ingredients like rare spices and frog meat that are never found in Japanese supermarkets, but also the same vibrant energy and no-frills service you’d find locally. This time, we’ll introduce a carefully selected list of truly deep Vietnamese grocery stores in Toyama Prefecture that locals and long-term residents frequent.
Chợ Việt uozu
📍 Address: 1-2-17 Shakado, Uozu-shi, Toyama, Japan 937-0067
Located near Uozu Station, ‘Chợ Việt uozu’ is a charming grocery store run by a Vietnamese couple with their young child, exuding a warm atmosphere. The store is packed with local instant noodles, seasonings, exotic fruits like jackfruit, and even Southeast Asian specialties such as pig’s ears and frog meat. Just browsing the shelves is exciting.
When you visit this shop, you absolutely must try their ‘Banh Mi’, handmade right there. It’s available on days when ingredients are fresh (mainly weekends) and meticulously prepared after you order, taking about 10 minutes. This authentic banh mi features a crispy yet chewy baguette generously filled with pâté, fresh vegetables, and chili sauce. What’s more, they offer flexible service catering to Japanese customers; for instance, if you don’t like cilantro, you can ask them to omit it.
Many product labels are in Vietnamese, but if you ask, the couple will kindly explain things in Japanese. Note that there is no dedicated parking, so if you come by car, please use nearby parking lots (such as the city hall parking lot for a short time on holidays) and be mindful not to disturb the neighborhood. It’s a renowned shop worth visiting to support local businesses.
Xuân Shop Việt Nhật Toyama
📍 Address: Sanwa Sogyo, 1-5-17 Homachi, Toyama-shi, Toyama, Japan 930-0007
Located in the Homachi area in front of Toyama Station, ‘Xuân Shop Việt Nhật’ is the Toyama branch of a Vietnamese grocery chain with stores nationwide. The shop boasts a colorful and bright atmosphere, becoming a vibrant hub on weekends where young Vietnamese residents and international students in Toyama Prefecture gather. Its selection is top-notch, ranging from trending imported Vietnamese snacks to essential seasonings like fish sauce for daily cooking.
On the other hand, visiting this store offers an experience of a ‘real overseas supermarket, for better or worse.’ Unlike the meticulous customer service in Japan, staff might be busy stocking shelves, and checkout interactions can be straightforward or lack excessive friendliness – but this is simply the local standard. The trick is to enjoy it as an exotic experience without expecting Japanese service levels.
Moreover, as a popular shop, there can be an increase in customer pick-up/drop-off vehicles and illegal street parking, which can cause neighborhood issues. If you go by car, always use nearby paid coin parking. Enjoy the ‘authentic Vietnamese atmosphere’ you can experience in Japan while respecting local rules.
Vietnamese Grocery Store
📍 Address: 3-6-10 Toyowakamachi, Toyama-shi, Toyama, Japan 931-8305
Along the Toyama Light Rail (Toyama Port Line), quietly nestled in the peaceful residential area of Toyowakamachi, is the aptly named ‘Vietnamese Grocery Store.’ This isn’t a shop decorated for tourists but a super deep spot that functions as the ‘real kitchen’ for Vietnamese trainees and international students living nearby.
There’s very little information or reviews online, and at first glance, it might take a bit of courage to enter. But once you step inside, it’s like an authentic Southeast Asian local market. You’ll find a core lineup that strongly supports the self-catering lives of long-term residents, including classic fresh spring roll wrappers, instant pho, a wide variety of chili sauces, and even large-volume frozen meats and spices rarely seen in Japanese supermarkets. It’s highly recommended for those who want to explore a ‘little Vietnam’ blended into the everyday scenery of Toyama.
【Tips】Shopping Tips and Etiquette at Vietnamese Supermarkets
To fully enjoy the growing number of Vietnamese supermarkets in Toyama Prefecture, let’s learn some local-style shopping tips.
First, ‘cash payment’ is generally the norm. While some stores might display logos for e-money services like PayPay or Merpay, there are many cases where they cannot actually be used due to system issues or other reasons. To prevent the disappointment of not being able to buy your desired ingredients, always be sure to have enough cash on hand.
Also, the customer service style is significantly different from Japan. You might not hear a ‘welcome’ greeting, or staff might chat in Vietnamese while ringing up purchases. This isn’t out of malice, but simply the direct and efficient local style brought over. If you have questions about a product, don’t hesitate to speak up; you’ll often find them surprisingly helpful.
And most importantly, ‘parking etiquette and consideration’ are key. Many local supermarkets do not have dedicated parking, and illegal street parking or long conversations in front of the store can be a significant nuisance to local residents. Always use nearby coin parking and enjoy the cultural exchange while being considerate of the surrounding environment. This also helps support the Vietnamese community thriving in Toyama.
