The Big 3 Supermarkets in Korea Intro + Tips

Hello, everyone! We are Creatrip, a group of travel experts.

We proudly present to you the latest, useful travel information and tips every day.

If you're visiting Korea, you might want to visit the three biggest supermarkets (Lotte Mart, emart, Homeplus). They have a lot of products at a discounted price, but nowadays supermarkets have come out with their own PB brands to get ahead in the fierce competition.

So today, we're going to go over all the must-have items from each supermarket brand!

Emart is the most popular supermarket chain in Korea. It opened in 1993, making it the oldest company out of its two competitors, Lotte Mart and Homeplus.

They recently also started a store called Emart Traders, which is a warehouse-style store like Costco where you can buy products in bulk for cheaper. Emart Traders has attracted a considerable amount of popularity since its opening due to its low prices and quality products.

Emart had also partnered with SM Entertainment and carried several famous K-Pop groups' (such as EXO or Red Velvet) products. Their partnership has been terminated since, but many are looking forward to Emart's next partnership with other entertainment companies.

＃Emart：No Brand (노브랜드)

Variety of No Brand snacks from Emart, featuring potato chips, butter cookies, and grain packs displayed on a black background.

@ Emart Korea

No Brand is a brand started and owned by Emart with the intention of bringing quality products to consumers without the inflated prices that come from brand value. As you'll see, the products you can find at No Brand are super affordable.

No Brand Original Potato Chips in a yellow cylindrical packaging, illustrating a classic snack option available at Emart. No Brand Purple Sweet Potato Chips, shown in distinctive purple hues, offering a unique flavor choice at Emart.

@ emart Korea

Something you should absolutely try from No Brand. Potato Chip Original (980 KRW), and the Purple Sweet Potato Chip (1180 KRW). So much cheaper than Pringles. Tastier too

No Brand Chocolate Biscuits tub from Emart, offering a large quantity of sweet treats at an affordable price.

@ emart Korea

No Brand Chocolate Biscuits (3,480 KRW) are super cheap and you get a massive amount. It's super popular.

No Brand milk chocolate bar from Emart, displayed in yellow packaging to highlight its budget-friendly price and rich taste. No Brand dark chocolate bar from Emart, showcased in a yellow packaging with premium dark chocolate goodness.

@ emart Korea

In addition, I also highly recommend the No Brands' milk chocolate (1,180 KRW). Don't let its low prices fool you, the quality is unbelievably good!

No Brand Cheddar Cheese Balls in a large transparent jar, a popular cheesy snack from Emart.

@ emart Korea

The No Brand Cheddar cheese (4,780 KRW) is also very popular on Korean social networking sites! These cheesy, savory snacks pairs well with beer. Get a jar and crack open a cold one!

No Brand Chocolate Sauce & Biscuit Stick, a convenient dipping snack available at Emart.

@ emart Korea

No Brand Chocolate Sauce & Biscuit Stick (980 KRW) is the last item on this list. This is a type of biscuit that can comes with a chocolate sauce for dipping. You get a quite a lot, but it's not even 1000 KRW.

Emart Cheonggyecheon

Address : 400 Cheonggyecheon-ro, Hwanghak-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul

Emart Wangsimni

Address：17 Wangsimnigwangjang-ro, Haengdang 1(il)-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul

Emart Mapo

Address：212 Baekbeom-ro, Singongdeok-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Emart - No Brand (Express Bus Terminal)

Address：19-18 Banpo-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul

Emart - No Brand (Gangnam)

Address：13216 Seocho-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul

Emart - No Brand (Shinchon)

Address：13-2 Changcheon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

What to Get From Korean Supermarkets：2. Lotte Mart (롯데마트)

LOTTE Mart logo featuring bright red and blue design elements on a white background, symbolizing the popular Korean supermarket chain.

Lotte Mart building, showcasing modern architecture and prominent signage in a bustling urban area. @Lotte Mart Korea

Lotte Mart is smaller in both scale and sales, but there are still over 120 stores across Korea.

Lotte Mart Tong-Keun chicken promotional event, featuring giant chicken buckets and enthusiastic participants.

@Yonghap News

Lotte Mart has been the center of some heated discussion since its launch of Tong-Keun fried chicken in 2010.

One of the most attention-grabbing product was their 5,000 KRW fried chicken bucket. They stopped selling the chicken bucket for a while because of various reasons, but it's back again.

Below are the three most popular Tong-Keun products.

＃Korean Supermarkets｜Lotte Mart：Tong-Keun Chicken

Bucket of Tong-Keun fried chicken from Lotte Mart, representing a popular, affordable delicacy.

＃Korean Supermarkets｜Lotte Mart：Tong-Keun Popcorn

Tong-Keun Popcorn bucket available at Lotte Mart, known for its generous portion sizes and value.

＃Korean Supermarkets｜Lotte Mart：Tong-Keun Yogurt

Large container of Tong-Keun Yogurt from Lotte Mart, offering more quantity at a competitive price.

The Tong-Keun products to be found only at Lotte Mart. It's definitely cheaper and larger than anything you can find elsewhere. These are the products that Lotte really puts forward, so try them for yourself.

Lotte Mart Only Price promotion banner emphasizing affordable pricing strategies for the consumers.

Like Emart's No Brand, Lotte Mart also has its own similar brand called Only Price. Here are some of the popular Only Price products from Lotte.

＃Korean Supermarkets｜Lotte Mart：One Price | Homemade 21 Valley Mini Crisp Roll

@ Lotte Mart Korea

One of the most popular products from Only Price, not only is it delicious but you also get a huge portion!

＃Korean Supermarkets｜Lotte Mart：One Price | Daily Yakult

Only Price Daily Yakult, a large-sized yogurt drink offering sumptuous flavors at Lotte Mart.

@ Lotte Mart Korea

Basically a giant version of the Korean classic, try some yourself for very cheap!

＃Korean Supermarkets｜Lotte Mart：One Price | Twice-Scorched Rice Snacks

Twice-Scorched Rice Snacks by Only Price, a traditional Korean snack found at Lotte Mart.

@ Lotte Mart Korea

This is a biscuit version of a traditional Korean snack, "nuroongji."

＃Korean Supermarkets｜Lotte Mart：One Price | Mix Nuts

Mix Nuts by Only Price from Lotte Mart, comprising salted and roasted assorted nuts for a delightful snack.

@ Lotte Mart Korea

A large collection of salty and sweet nuts, including coffee peanuts, almonds, peanuts, peanuts, butterfly shortbread, etc. Suitable to have with beer.

Lotte Mart Seoul Station

Address : 405 Hangang-daero, Hoehyeon-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul

Lotte Mart Cheongnyangni

Address：214 Choui-ro, Jeonnong 1(il)-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul

Lotte Mart Daehyeon (Near Shinchon, Ehwa Univ.)

Address：157 Shinchon-ro, Daehyeon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

Lotte Mart Jamsil

Address：240 Olympic-ro, Jamsil-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul

What to Get From Korean Supermarkets：3. Homeplus (홈플러스)

Homeplus logo in red and blue, representing a trusted supermarket brand in Korea.

@ Homeplus Korea

Homeplus was originally created by South Korea’s Samsung and UK grocer TESCO.

However, it is now an independent supermarket.

Homeplus supermarket building featuring signature clock tower, illustrating its iconic architecture.

@ Homeplus Korea

Finding Homeplus is simple because its buildings always has a clock tower. One of the most popular products from Homeplus is by far the Ristorante Pizza.

＃Korea Supermarkets｜Homeplus｜Ristorante Mozzarella / Funghi Pizza

Ristorante Mozzarella Pizza packaging available at Homeplus, offering gourmet frozen pizza options.

Ristorante Funghi Pizza packaging available at Homeplus, featuring Italian-inspired frozen pizza variety.

@ Homeplus Korea

＃Korean Supermarkets｜Homeplus｜Happiness of 1,000 KRW (Everything 1,000 KRW)

Homeplus 천원의행복 1000 won event signage inside a supermarket, promoting affordable shopping.

@ Homeplus Korea

1,000 KRW is already cheap, but Homeplus is doing an promotion where if you buy 10, get one more thing free!

Bargain section in Homeplus for 1000 won products, featuring instant noodles and other goods for savings.

Multiple promotional posters for Homeplus 천원의행복, showcasing various products available at reduced prices.

If you're looking to save some valuable cash on your Korean trip, a promotion like this is a great option. You can get all sorts of products like ramyun, snacks, candy, beverages, etc. all for only 1,000 KRW.

＃Korean Supermarkets｜Homeplus｜Mon Boulanger Bakery

Mon Boulanger Bakery inside Homeplus, showcasing a variety of freshly baked bread and pastries.

@ Homeplus Korea

Mon Boulanger bakery, found only at Homeplus. The bread here is very high quality, and they offer a good variety. I personally always stop by Mon Boulanger whenever I'm at Homeplus. I can guarantee the taste.

＃Korean Supermarkets｜Homeplus｜Mon Boulanger Bakery: Coffee Cream Loaf

Coffee Cream Loaf from Mon Boulanger Bakery at Homeplus, featuring a soft cake filled with rich coffee cream.

@ Homeplus Korea

A steady seller that has brought much profit to Homeplus, some people make a trip to Homeplus just to get this little treat. Don't be late though, because it will be sold out. Many bakeries have similar products, but the best is still at Homeplus.

＃Korean Supermarkets｜Homeplus｜Mon Boulanger Bakery: Vanilla Croissant

Vanilla Croissant available at Homeplus' Mon Boulanger Bakery, with crispy pastry filled with vanilla cream.

@ Homeplus Korea

Vanilla cream filled inside a crispy croissant. So good that you'll be reaching for seconds.

＃Korean Supermarkets｜Homeplus｜Mon Boulanger Bakery: Cheesecake

Cheesecake from Mon Boulanger Bakery at Homeplus, presented in a simple, elegant design.

@ Homeplus Korea

Paris Baguette and Tous Les Jours have similar products, but it's only 9,000 KRW at Homeplus.

＃한국마트：홈플러스｜지역맥주

Haeundae Beach Ale, a craft beer available at Homeplus, inspired by Korea's popular beach destination. Pyeongchang White Ale, a can of craft beer available at Homeplus, showcasing a local beer variety.

@ Homeplus Korea

The Regional Beer series found only at Homeplus, starring beer brewed from different regions in Korea. I tried both beers, and I think I like the Haeundae Beer better. I'd recommend getting beer from a region you've been to!

Homeplus Dongdaemun

Address : 133 Cheonho-daero, Yongdu-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul

The above was a post on The Three Big Korean Supermarkets.

If you have any further inquiries, please feel free to comment below shoot us an email at help@creatrip.com.