Believe it or not, you can actually get some of the things on your regular grocery list at the Asian supermarket. Shopping at an Asian supermarket doesn’t mean that you’ll only be serving up Asian cuisine.
But why not learn how to make a few new dishes while you’re at it. You can actually save a ton of money by shopping at an Asian supermarket. They have a lot of the same stuff that you have at your local regular grocery store.
Except you’ll pay half the prices. But you need to know what to look for. If you don’t you might end up paying more.
Here Are 25 Things To Buy At The Asian Supermarket (And 25 Things You Should Avoid):
Asian groceries stores carry a variety of noodles. You can shop for rice noodles, egg noodles, glass noodles and more. The quality and taste will be a lot better than the Ramen noodles you get at the grocery store.
You can get high quality kitchen utensils for half the price at Asian supermarkets. Bamboo spatulas, chopsticks, skimmers. You name it, they got it for cheaper.
If you’re going to cook Asian food, you should probably get a wok and a bamboo steamer. But don’t buy one online. You can find one for a fair price at the Asian supermarket.
You’ll find a huge variety of condiments and sauces at your Asian supermarket. You’ll find different types of soy sauces, fish sauce, chili oil, mustards and more. They’ll also be at least a buck less.
You’ll find cuts of meat for lots of Asian dishes, like Korean-style beef short ribs, at your Asian supermarket. And it’s all conveniently cut up for you. But you’ll also find things like tripe, oxtail, chicken feet, feet tounge, and frog legs.
The frozen foods you can buy at the Asian supermarket are just as good as the ones you’ll eat at a restaurant. The only difference is that you’ll pay a fraction of the cost. You can get steamed buns, egg rolls, and potstickers.
You’ll find an amazing variety of rice at Asian supermarkets. And you can buy a huge amount for super cheap. This comes in handy when you’re buying pricier types of rice like jasmine rice.
Tea is another item where you’ll find a huge variety. There’s practically an entire aisle dedicated just for tea. You can find lots of green teas in loose or bagged varieties.
The Asian grocery store is the cheapest place to buy fresh seafood. Sometimes you can even get it live and fresh out of the tank. They might even cut it up and fry it for you for a small fee.
Spices can be pretty pricey. And the worst part is that they come in the smallest containers. Spices are a lot cheaper at the Asian sper market and they sometimes come in big bags so you can just refill your plastic containers.
There’s nothing better than fresh vegetables. But fresh vegetables can also get pretty pricey. Buy your snow peas, lemon grass, boy choy, ginger root, mushrooms and bean sprouts at the Asian market.
Fruit can often be less expensive at Asian supermarkets. Especially fruit that is indigenous to Asia. You’ll find things like mango, lycheese, and persimmons.
Bubble tea is all the rage right now. The bubbles are actually tapioca pearls. You can make your own after stopping at the Asian market.
Jelly cups are the perfect portable treat. Not only will you love them but your kids will too. They make a great sweet treat.
Want Starbucks at home? Grab some matcha from the Asian market. It’s super expensive so it’s best to buy it at this specialty store.
Mochi is used as a fro-yo topping and is a Japanese confection. It also come in the form of ice cream. Mochi ice cream comes in a variety of different flavors.
Nori is more commonly known as seaweed. Dried nori is sold as a chips. It makes for a great low carb snack
You’ll find Ramune at almost any hibachi restaurant. It’s a fruit-flavored carbonated soda. They have a Codd-neck and marble in them that fascinates kids.
Shichimi togarashi is a Japanese seasoning. It’s typically used in soups, noodles, rice cakes and beef bowls. Some people even sprinkle it on watermelon.
Some people actually prefer Panko breadcrumbs to regular breadcrumbs. It’s a pretty popular ingredient. You’ll find it cheaper at the Asian market.
These Japanese snack foods are straight up addictive. You can grab them on the go and get a great sugary fix. You might see them at the regular market but it’s better to get them at the Asian one.
22) Wasabi-Flavored Snacks
Wasabi snacks are great when you need a good kick. You’ll find them in most supermarkets. But again, it’s best to grab them at the Asian market.
Tofu is a pretty popular item found at all grocery stores. But you’ll find a huge variety of different kinds of tofu at the Asian market. It will also be cheaper.
Miso paste, or umami-rich fermented soybean paste, comes in three varieties: white, yellow, and red. The darker the color, the more robust the flavor. It can be used to make all kinds of dishes.
Pure sesame oil is the base of lots of Asian dishes. The best brands can only be found at Asian markets. You’ll like the price better there.
The market isn’t the best place to buy bread. You’ll want to track down the nearest bakery outlet. They have lots of items in addition to bread, so you can stock up and put it in the freezer.
Never buy coffee at a grocery store. Costco or your other warehouse spots are always best for this. You can also try office supply stores.
Baking mixes are like throwing away money. Making things from scratch isn’t that hard. It will also save you alot of money.
No one should be buying bottle water. Buy yourself a refillable bottle and drink it from the tap. If you’re iffy about that water, install a filter or get a filtering pitcher.
There are defintely cheaper places to buy dog food than the market. You best bet is going online. Try places like Amazon or Chewy.
31) Special Occasion Cakes
Special occasion cakes can get pretty pricey, especially as they get bigger. It’s best to get these from warehouse stores. They’ll even decorate it for you.
You shouldn’t pay for toothbrushes at all. Just get free ones from the dentist. He’ll probably give you two so you can switch it out in six months.
Don’t buy alcohol at the market. You’ll be upcharged. Try your warehouse club. You don’t need a membership to buy booze there.
Every parents knows how ridiculously expensive diapers can be. Definitely don’t buy this from the market. It’s best to buy diapers from Amazon.
How could you be getting ripped off on gift cards, you ask yourself? You’re paying the amont you want to add. Well, places like Costco offer $100 worth of gift cards for $80.
36) Individually Wrapped Snacks
We buy individuallhy wrapped snacks because they are easy to take on the go and are portion controlled. But you’re spending money on laziness. Buy in bulk and measure out the items and place into sandwich bags yourself.
You’re losing out if you buy your lightbulbs at the market. Try your warehouse club. You can also try Amazon.
Grocery stores jack up the price of party supplies. The best place to get them is at the dollar stores. You can get balloons, tablecloths, candles, napkins and more.
Magazines are expensive and cost you $3 or $4 at the store. Your best bet is to subscribe. You can get a subscription for less than $20.
Batteries can get super expensive, but we need them. They have them at the dollar store but the quality is low. Try getting them at a warehouse store or in bulk on Amazon.
Greeting cards are complete nonsense at $4 and $5 a pop. You can might a nicer one yourself. Or better yet, go to the dollar store and get them for a buck a piece.
43) Organic Fruits And Vegetables
It’s healthy for you but it’s also overpriced at the grocery store. The best way to save on organic produce is to only buy what’s in season from your local farmers market. Not only is it organize but it’s local!
The price gets seriously jacked up for premade meals. You can made five for the same price if you make it yourself. Freeze it and save it for next time.
45) Canned Good That Aren’t On Sale
Never buy a canned good at the grocery store if it isn’t on sale. When you see these items on sale, stock up. That or soak and cook your own beans instead of buying the canned stuff.
This is a secret trick grocery stores use. They’ll put some of their fancy cheeses in the deli section and jack up the price. However, you can find the same kind of cheeses for cheaper in the dairy section.
Never buy cereal if it’s not on sale at the grocery store. The market up is crazy. Instead buy in bulk at warehouse clubs, wait for a sale, or try online.
If you have a big family, you probably go through detergent pretty quickly. Warehouse clubs are better for this or places like Target. When you catch it on sale, stock up.
Though it might be tempting to grab some make up at the grocery store, you shouldn’t. That’s because it’s overpriced. Try the drug store or the internet.
Milk not from the grocery store? But where? Your warehouse store will have it for much cheaper.
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