I love Cooking. When school is finished I put on some music, pour myself a glass of wine, and start experimenting with food. When possible, I even take time during my prep periods to find interesting new recipes or just to watch my culinary hero, Chef John:
At first, it was exciting to visit the markets and grocery stores here in Hongseong. There were so many new things to try. However, a lack in variety of some staple food soon became overwhelming. For a while, salt, pepper, and ground red chili-peppers were the only "spices" available, with processed orange cheddar being the main option cheese-wise. Cooking was getting to seem somewhat bleak until we stumbled upon the Foreign Food Mart in Itaewon.
Cayenne pepper, basil, nutmeg, and many other much missed items, it was a dream come true!
There were fridges full of beautiful cheeses and other dearly missed dairy products, bags of basmati rice, freezers with lamb, baskets of freshly made tortillas -and the list goes on!
I loved the vibe at the grocery store/market. Ex-pats from all over the world, getting their groceries: Indians, Germans, Japanese, Russians - a true global market.
How do you get there?
Directions: From Itaewon Station exit #3, walk straight to the stop lights and turn left. The Foreign Food Mart is on the left about 50 meters up the hill.
Phone number: 02-793-0082
If going to Seoul is not an option for you, another great way to get your hands on some specialty food items is http://www.ezshopkorea.com/
For your viewing pleasure, here are some of my favourite finds at the International Grocery Store:
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For all your baking needs
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| Nice selection of oil |
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| Organic Ketchup |
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| Great selection of my most favourite food |
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| And, if you have a weakness for bite-sized cheese balls - you can get large quantities in humongous bottles. |
Last, but not least, Foreign Food Mart has a goodly supply of deodorant and antiperspirant for all waygooks who may have run out.
Thank you for posting the instructions on how to get there! Been looking for directions but people are so strangely vague. Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure! Did you end up visiting the store yet? What did you think? I was there again this weekend -- such a great place.
ReplyDeleteYes, thanks so much for the directions and pictures! Can't wait to go! It already looks more useful than HighStreet Market. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment Crystal! Glad the post was helpful to you. What is HighStreet Market? Another international store in Seoul?
ReplyDeleteYes, its down the street from Exit 4 in Itaewon. It's a nice place, a better selection of fresh meat and prepared foods, but I went to the Food Mart today and there is a much bigger selection of other things.
ReplyDeleteMy turn to thank you Crystal! We were in Seoul this weekend -- so decided to visit HighStreet Market for lunch. Such a cool place -- sandwiches and coffees were fantastic and we thought the place had a really cool vibe :) There is definitely a better selection at the International Food Mart - but HighStreet certainly has its own charm!
DeleteOh awesome :) I really like having both options!
Deletewow great post. Just wondering if this shop sells sauces like oyster sauce and sweet sauce?
ReplyDeleteCan I get Bragg Organic "apple cider vinegar" (With the Mother) there in the mart...? Thank you!
ReplyDelete