Finding food from home

Food from home is the best remedy for homesickness — and you can find it in Korea.

Where they are

Grocery shops from many countries cluster where foreign residents live.

• Seoul — Itaewon (Middle East, Africa), Daerim and Garibong (China), Dongdaemun and Gwanghui-dong (Central Asia, Russia), Hyehwa-dong (Filipino weekend market)
• Gyeonggi — Ansan Wongok-dong (multinational), Suwon, Siheung, Hwaseong
• Elsewhere — Incheon, Daegu, Busan, Changwon, Gimhae, Cheonan and other industrial areas

Search "[country] grocery + area name", or ask your own national community for exact locations.

Buying online

• Country-specific online food shops exist.
• Open marketplaces (Coupang, Gmarket) also sell imported food.
• Direct overseas purchase — check customs rules. Meat, dairy and seeds in particular may be restricted.

Import and quarantine

Bringing food from abroad is subject to quarantine.

• Meat and meat products (including sausage and ham), some dairy, fruit, vegetables and seeds are prohibited or restricted.
• Failing to declare can bring a fine.
• Always check with the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (1588-8112) or Korea Customs Service (125).

Where to go

• 1330 tourist interpretation line (24 hours, multilingual)
• 1588-8112 Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (what may be brought in)
• 125 Korea Customs Service (customs)
• Local foreign communities and family centres
• 1577-1366 interpretation

Questions people ask

I can't find shops selling my country's ingredients. Asking your own national community (social media, group chats) is fastest. Family centres and migrant support centres often know too.

Can my family send me food? It depends on the item. Meat and dairy are mostly prohibited. Check with 1588-8112 in advance.

Can I make and sell food myself? Making and selling food requires business registration and hygiene standards. Unregistered selling is punishable. Ask the hygiene department of your district office.

Can I buy it in Korean supermarkets? Spices and sauces are increasingly available in hypermarket imported food sections and online.

Take care

Smuggling meat or sausage from abroad brings fines and risks introducing livestock disease. However much you miss it, follow the rules. Most ingredients can be found in Korea anyway.

Related

halal-food · grocery-shopping · online-shopping · international-mail

Source

Korea Tourism Organization www.visitkorea.or.kr / As of 2026-08