As an Orlando local and someone who’s passionate about Asian food and culture, I know how important it is to find the right grocery stores to get all those essential ingredients that make our favorite dishes just right. From Japanese ramen to Korean BBQ, Chinese dim sum, and Filipino treats, there’s a wealth of flavors to enjoy. Luckily, Orlando has some fantastic Asian grocery stores that make it easy to find what I need. Here’s my guide to the best Asian grocery stores in the area, with a special shout-out to one of my personal favorites: Eastside Asian Market.
1. Eastside Asian Market
Eastside Asian Market is easily one of my top picks for Asian groceries in Orlando. Located off of East Colonial Drive, it’s a bit of a hidden gem that locals love for its wide selection and family-friendly atmosphere. Whether you’re cooking up something new or craving ingredients from your hometown, Eastside Asian Market has it all.
What Makes Eastside Asian Market Stand Out:
- Super Fresh Produce: The produce section is always stocked with fresh vegetables like bok choy, napa cabbage, and Chinese eggplant. I love that they always have a great selection of fresh herbs too—lemongrass, Thai basil, cilantro, and more. It makes it so easy to make dishes like pho or Thai curry just like the ones you find at home.
- Wide Range of Ingredients: Whether you’re looking for Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, or Filipino ingredients, Eastside Asian Market has you covered. I often stop by to pick up soy sauce, rice noodles, chili pastes, and hard-to-find spices like star anise and cinnamon bark. If you’re into hot pot or making your own sushi, they have the perfect supplies.
- Affordable Prices: For such a great variety, the prices here are really reasonable. I’ve always found their produce and pantry staples like rice, miso, and coconut milk to be some of the best deals in Orlando. They even offer bulk items at great prices, which is awesome when I need to stock up on essentials.
- Asian Snacks and Drinks: The snack aisle at Eastside Asian Market is one of my favorite places. From savory snacks like shrimp chips to sweet treats like mochi and matcha-flavored everything, it’s a fun place to browse. They also carry unique Asian drinks like Thai iced tea, Japanese green tea, and even aloe vera drinks that I can’t find anywhere else.
My Experience: I remember when I first moved to Orlando, I was on the hunt for some ingredients to make my mom’s famous stir-fry. Eastside Asian Market was recommended to me by a local friend, and I was blown away by how much it had in such a small space. I picked up some fresh tofu, a variety of sauces, and a few Asian vegetables, and the dish turned out perfect—just like home.
2. 99 Ranch Market
If you’re looking for a larger selection with all the Asian staples, 99 Ranch Market is a go-to. It’s one of the largest Asian grocery chains in the U.S., and it has a massive store in Orlando that offers everything from fresh seafood to snacks and more.
Why I Love 99 Ranch Market:
- Variety of Asian Foods: Whether you’re cooking Chinese, Japanese, or Korean food, you can find everything you need here. The aisles are packed with sauces, spices, noodles, and snacks.
- Fresh Seafood and Meats: They have a large section dedicated to fresh seafood, with fish, crabs, and shrimp that are perfect for making dishes like sashimi or a fresh seafood hotpot.
- Imported Goods: You can find items from all over Asia, from Taiwan to Thailand, Japan, and Korea. The store often carries hard-to-find brands that are popular overseas.
3. Seafood City Supermarket
Seafood City Supermarket is a Filipino-owned grocery chain that specializes in Filipino ingredients, but it also has plenty of other Asian products. If you’re in the mood for Filipino food or just looking for fresh seafood, this store is a must.
Why I Recommend Seafood City:
- Filipino Food: From pancit to bagoong (fermented shrimp paste), Seafood City offers a wide variety of Filipino staples. I love coming here to stock up on ingredients for my favorite Filipino dishes.
- Fresh Seafood: They have a great selection of fresh fish, shrimp, and crabs, perfect for a Filipino-style seafood boil or sinigang (Filipino sour soup).
- Unique Filipino Snacks: If you’re craving some Filipino treats, you’ll find everything from turon (fried banana rolls) to balut (a traditional egg dish).
4. Super H Mart
For those who are especially into Korean food, Super H Mart is a must-visit. This large store is packed with Korean ingredients, along with other Asian groceries. It’s one of my favorite spots to pick up ingredients for a Korean BBQ night or a big bowl of bibimbap.
Why I Love Super H Mart:
- Korean Specialties: From fresh kimchi to gochujang (Korean chili paste) and a wide selection of Korean BBQ meats, it’s easy to make a delicious Korean meal at home.
- Korean Snacks and Sweets: I love browsing their snack aisles for unique treats like honey butter chips and tteok (Korean rice cakes). You can also find Korean beauty products, which is a bonus!
- Fresh and Frozen Foods: They have a great variety of fresh and frozen items, including dumplings, fish cakes, and more. The frozen section is particularly great for quick and easy meals.
5. Chin’s Market
Chin’s Market is a smaller store in Orlando that specializes in Chinese and Southeast Asian products. It’s not as big as some of the other stores, but it’s a great place to pick up authentic Chinese ingredients and spices.
Why I Recommend Chin’s Market:
- Chinese and Southeast Asian Products: This store has everything from soy sauces to dumpling wrappers, rice noodles, and Asian spices.
- Dim Sum Essentials: I often come here to buy ingredients for making dim sum at home, like char siu (BBQ pork) and siu mai (dumplings). It’s the perfect place if you’re craving homemade dim sum.
- Affordable: Chin’s Market offers good prices on everyday staples. It’s a great option if you’re looking for a quick, affordable grocery run.
6. Little Saigon Market
If you’re into Vietnamese food, Little Saigon Market is a wonderful spot to pick up everything you need to make a tasty bowl of pho or banh xeo (Vietnamese pancakes).
What I Love About Little Saigon Market:
- Vietnamese Ingredients: From pho spices to fresh herbs like cilantro and Thai basil, this store has everything you need to recreate Vietnamese dishes.
- Fresh Produce: They offer a great selection of fresh vegetables, especially herbs and greens that are key to Vietnamese cooking.
- Homemade Items: Little Saigon Market also carries some homemade Vietnamese treats like banh mi and banh bao (steamed buns), which are perfect for a quick snack or meal.
Ready to Explore Orlando’s Best Asian Grocery Stores?
Orlando has some amazing Asian grocery stores, and whether you’re from the U.S. or visiting from abroad, you’ll find everything you need to cook your favorite dishes. From fresh produce to pantry staples and exotic snacks, these stores make it easy to bring the flavors of Asia right to your kitchen. I hope this guide helps you discover some new spots to explore and stock up on your must-have ingredients!
4o mini