Become acquainted with Austin’s Asian markets and access an exciting range of flavor.
Story by Ananoelle Naval
Illustration by Moira Scrimgeour
Austin is well-mapped with all of the major grocery chains, including the 24-hour HEB, the original Whole Foods and two massive Central Markets stock-full with gourmet goods. However, these grocery stores are limited as they tend to be American and Euro-centric. Asia is too big of a continent to ignore, which is why we present this guide to source all of your ingredient needs.
99 Ranch Market
6929 Airport Blvd #110, Austin, TX 78752
The HEB of Asian Grocery stores. A chain, reliable, and well-stocked. 99 Ranch is well supplied with fresh Asian vegetables, aisles of soy sauce, shelves of tea, and snacks galore. The store also houses a cafe that serves Dim-Sum to-go and, a bakery with staple, Asian baked goods such as egg-tarts, loaves of milk bread and pork sung buns.
Han Yang Market
6808 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78752
Han Yan is a locally owned Korean Market that offers a wide range of Korean groceries. New customers and returning Han Yang fans can find japchae noodles, rolls of kimbap, or massive jars of homemade kimchi and other kinds of pickled banchan.
Asashi Imports
6105 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78757
Asashi Imports is a quaint grocery store selling packaged and frozen goods, cookware and gifts sourced from Japan. Drop in early to choose from a variety of Onigiri (rice balls) and Bento boxes (prepared lunch),offered until they sell out. For a sweet treat over the weekend, Asashi offers cones of matcha or sesame soft serve.
MT Supermarket
10901 N Lamar Blvd G, Austin, TX 78753
MT Supermarket is a family-owned grocery that sells a broad range of international goods. Their shelves carry selections from almost every Asian country. Their bustling fish and meat market offers only the freshest supply. A small selection of handmade Vietnamese treats lines the entrance walls.Don’t forget to bring a sweater to help navigate their massive selection of frozen goods.
H Mart
11301 Lakeline Blvd, Austin, TX 78717
If you’re willing to make the drive to H Mart, make sure to bring some friends. Built like a big department of sorts, H Mart is the king of Asian grocery stores. The proportion of goods in this store are unmatched. Next to Cheetos are varieties of shrimp flavored chips, bottles of oyster sauce sit next to ketchup bottles, and the soy milk selection is as big as their choices of juice. After ticking off your grocery list, make your way to the large food court which offers a boba shop, a bakery and a range of Asian restaurants.