Korean Supermarket Guide for the UK
Finding Korean ingredients in the UK used to be a mission. Now there are dedicated Korean shops, Asian supermarkets, and online retailers that stock everything you need. Here is your complete guide to sourcing Korean food in Britain.
The Korean Grocery Landscape in the UK
The UK's Korean food scene has transformed in the past decade. What was once a niche community centred around New Malden (home to Europe's largest Korean population) has expanded into a nationwide market. You can now buy gochujang in Tesco, kimchi in Sainsbury's, and Shin Ramyun in most corner shops. But for serious Korean cooking, you need to know where to find the specialist ingredients that mainstream supermarkets do not carry.
HMart
HMart is the most significant Korean supermarket chain to arrive in the UK. Originally a Korean-American chain with over a hundred stores across the US, they now have a London presence and a well-stocked online shop. Their range covers everything from fresh produce and meat to frozen dumplings, every brand of gochujang imaginable, and a selection of Korean kitchenware. Prices are generally lower than Amazon for Korean staples. Their fresh kimchi and frozen rice cakes are particularly worth seeking out, as the quality surpasses anything you will find shelf-stable.
Japan Centre
Despite the name, Japan Centre stocks an excellent range of Korean products alongside their Japanese inventory. Their Piccadilly Circus shop in London is worth a visit — the Korean section includes sauces, noodles, snacks, drinks, and frozen items. Their online shop delivers nationwide and is well organised. Prices are slightly higher than HMart but the range is good and delivery is reliable.
Wing Yip
Wing Yip is a Chinese-oriented supermarket chain with large stores in Birmingham, Manchester, Croydon, and an online shop. Their Korean section has grown significantly and they stock the main brands (CJ, Sempio, Nongshim, Ottogi) at competitive prices. If you are outside London, Wing Yip may be your most accessible option for in-person Korean grocery shopping. The stores are warehouse-sized and carry bulk quantities that are considerably cheaper per unit than smaller packages.
Sous Chef
Sous Chef is a UK-based online retailer that stocks a curated range of Korean ingredients. They are more expensive than the Asian supermarkets but their selection is well chosen, their product descriptions are helpful for beginners, and their delivery is fast. If you want a reliable source for specific items like gochugaru, doenjang, or Korean rice vinegar without navigating a Korean-language website, Sous Chef is a good option.
Mainstream Supermarkets
Tesco, Sainsbury's, and Waitrose have all expanded their Korean ranges. You can typically find gochujang, soy sauce, kimchi, instant noodles, and basic cooking sauces in the world foods aisle. Waitrose tends to stock the most interesting Korean products (they carry Bibigo and some Sempio lines), while Tesco has the widest availability simply due to store numbers. The selection is limited compared to specialist shops, but it is enough for simple Korean dishes.
Online: Amazon
Amazon remains the most convenient option for building a complete Korean pantry from scratch. Nearly every Korean food brand is available with Prime delivery, and the product range is vast. The downsides are slightly higher prices than specialist retailers, occasional stock issues, and the fact that browsing for Korean food on Amazon is chaotic compared to a well-organised Korean shop. Use Amazon for specific items you already know you want rather than for browsing.