In short
- Big chains are E-Mart, Homeplus, Lotte Mart (hypermarkets — food plus everything else). Costco and Emart Traders for bulk/Western goods.
- Online delivery is unbeatable — Coupang (Rocket next-morning) and Market Kurly (dawn delivery) are the most foreigner-friendly; Gmarket Global takes foreign cards + PayPal.
- Traditional markets (시장) are cheaper and fresher for produce; small convenience stores are everywhere for quick top-ups.
- Korean food is relatively expensive — shop markets, buy store brands (No Brand), and hit evening discounts to save.
Between hypermarkets, traditional markets, convenience stores and lightning-fast delivery apps, you have a lot of options. Here's how to shop well — and cheaply — as a resident.
The big supermarkets
- E-Mart / Homeplus / Lotte Mart — the three big "hypermarkets": multiple floors of groceries plus household goods, clothes, electronics, and food courts. E-Mart and Homeplus are the most newcomer-friendly, with English-supported membership apps. Sign up for the membership app — that's where the discounts and coupons live.
- No Brand / E-Mart Everyday — smaller discount/store-brand shops; great value on basics.
- Costco & Emart Traders — bulk warehouses, the best source for imported/Western goods (cheese, big cuts of meat, snacks). Costco needs a membership.
Traditional markets (재래시장)
Every neighborhood has a 시장 (sijang) — the best value and freshness for fruit, vegetables, fish, and prepared side dishes, plus a concentrated dose of daily life. Prices are usually gentler than supermarkets, and haggling is mild-to-nonexistent but portions are generous. Bring cash (many stalls take cards/pay apps now, but not all).
Convenience stores (편의점)
CU, GS25, 7-Eleven, Emart24 are on nearly every corner, open 24/7. More than snacks: quick meals, coffee, cash withdrawal, bill payment, parcel pickup, and district trash bags (종량제 봉투). Pricier than supermarkets, but unbeatable for a fast top-up. See trash & recycling.
Online delivery — the Korean superpower
Korea's grocery delivery is famously fast and cheap. The catch for newcomers is that most apps are Korean-only and prefer Korean cards — but a few are built for foreigners:
| Service | Best for / notes |
|---|---|
| Coupang | The "Amazon of Korea." Rocket Delivery = next-day; Rocket Fresh = next-morning groceries. Korean app, but accepts Naver Pay; Wow membership gives free shipping. Cheapest for many staples. |
| Market Kurly | Premium fresh food, dawn delivery (샛별배송) — order by ~11pm, arrives before breakfast. Foreigner-friendly. |
| Gmarket Global | Fully English + accepts foreign cards & PayPal — the easiest before you have a Korean card. Enter passport/ARC number. |
| Homeplus / E-Mart / GS Fresh online | Same-day/next-day from the big chains. Korean sites (use Papago/Chrome translate); foreign cards can be fiddly. |
| Shuttle | Foreigner-focused, English support, accepts foreign cards — handy for international groceries. |
Finding foreign / specialty food
- Costco & Emart Traders — cheapest bulk Western staples (cheese, meat, snacks).
- Coupang Rocket Fresh / Gmarket — surprisingly wide imported range, often next-morning.
- Itaewon — the densest cluster of international supermarkets, halal butchers, and specialty bakeries (can be pricey — compare with Coupang).
- iHerb — supplements, baking supplies, natural/health foods, often cheaper than local shops; English app.
- Big supermarkets have a small "imported foods" aisle, but selection and value vary a lot.
Little things that trip people up
- Trolley coin deposit: carts often need a ₩100 coin (refunded when you return it).
- Bags cost extra and are often district trash bags — useful for your rubbish. Bring your own or reuse.
- Closing days: some hypermarket branches still close 2 Sundays a month (or a weekday) — check before a big trip.
- Portions: produce is often sold in fixed packs; markets and E-Mart's small-portion options are better for one person.
Common questions
Which app is easiest before I have a Korean bank card?
Gmarket Global (English + foreign cards/PayPal) or Shuttle. Once you have a Korean card and Naver/Kakao Pay, Coupang and Market Kurly open up.
Is grocery delivery expensive?
Usually cheap or free over a minimum spend; Coupang Wow membership gives free Rocket delivery. Dawn/same-day is standard, not premium.
Where's cheapest?
Traditional markets for produce, No Brand/store brands for basics, Costco/Traders for bulk, and evening discount stickers at any supermarket.
Can I get Western ingredients?
Yes — Costco, Coupang Rocket Fresh, Gmarket, Itaewon shops and iHerb cover most needs, though usually pricier than Korean staples.
Sources: Foreigner grocery/delivery guides (2026), retailer info (E-Mart, Homeplus, Coupang, Market Kurly, Gmarket Global). Store closing-day policies vary by branch.
Last verified: July 2026. App features, delivery areas and closing rules change — check the app/store. General information.
Hunting for a specific ingredient?
Ask others where to find it (or the Korean name) — post in the community and tag it Living.