Finding the Best Asian Grocery Stores in Atlanta, GA

Looking for an Asian grocery in Atlanta, GA—whether for fresh bok choy, Korean BBQ cuts, Indian spices, or Filipino snacks—has become much easier in recent years. Atlanta’s metro area has a wide range of Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Indian, Japanese, and pan-Asian supermarkets, plus smaller specialty shops spread across the city and suburbs.

This guide walks you through where to shop, what to expect, and how to plan your visit if you live in Atlanta, are visiting, or are new to the area.

Where to Find Asian Grocery Stores in Atlanta

Asian grocery shopping in Atlanta is heavily shaped by major corridors and suburbs. Knowing these areas makes it much easier to plan a trip.

1. Buford Highway: Atlanta’s Best-Known Asian Food Corridor

Buford Highway (running through Brookhaven, Doraville, and Chamblee) is the heart of Atlanta’s Asian food scene. Along this corridor, you’ll find:

• Large pan-Asian supermarkets with wide selections of Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, and Japanese products
• Smaller mom-and-pop markets that specialize in one country or region
• Fresh seafood markets with live or very fresh fish and shellfish
• Bakeries, bubble tea shops, and food courts inside or next to grocery stores

If you only have time to explore one area for Asian groceries near Atlanta, Buford Highway is usually the most efficient choice. Much of it is directly accessible from I-85 and is a short drive from Midtown and Buckhead.

2. Duluth, Suwanee, and Gwinnett County

Northeast of Atlanta, Duluth, Suwanee, and parts of Lawrenceville have strong Korean, Chinese, and multicultural communities. Here you’ll often find:

• Large Korean supermarkets with specialty items like marinated meats, side dishes (banchan), and Korean bakery sections
• Chinese-focused supermarkets with big produce sections and Chinese pantry staples
• Nearby plazas with Korean BBQ restaurants, bubble tea, and dessert shops

These suburbs are a great option if you live in Gwinnett County or the northeastern metro area and don’t want to drive into the city.

3. Decatur, Clarkston, and East Atlanta

To the east, Decatur and Clarkston are known for diversity, especially South Asian and Southeast Asian communities. In this area you can typically find:

• Indian and Pakistani grocery stores with spices, lentils, rice, and frozen breads
• Shops carrying Nepali, Bangladeshi, and Sri Lankan items
• Some Southeast Asian options, including Thai and Vietnamese ingredients

These locations are convenient if you’re based in Downtown, East Atlanta, or near Emory and want to stay closer to home.

4. Inside the Perimeter (ITP): Midtown, Buckhead, and Westside

While the largest Asian supermarkets are usually outside central Atlanta, there are still smaller, convenient markets inside the perimeter:

• Compact pan-Asian markets with essentials like rice, soy sauce, noodles, and snacks
• Japanese-focused stores near restaurants and sushi bars
• Select mainstream supermarkets with expanded Asian sections, especially in denser urban neighborhoods

These are ideal for quick trips if you live in Midtown, Buckhead, Old Fourth Ward, or West Midtown and don’t need a full, once-a-month stock-up.

Types of Asian Grocery Stores You’ll Find in Atlanta

Atlanta doesn’t have a single style of “Asian grocery.” Instead, you’ll see a mix of large international supermarkets and small specialty shops.

Large Pan-Asian Supermarkets

These stores often combine multiple Asian cuisines under one roof. You can generally expect:

• Extensive produce: bok choy, daikon, Thai basil, shiso, long beans, bitter melon, fresh herbs
• Seafood counters: whole fish, shellfish, sometimes live seafood
• Meat selection: thin-sliced cuts for hotpot and Korean BBQ, pork belly, oxtail, offal, and more
• Dry goods and pantry items: rice, noodles, sauces, spices, canned goods
• Prepared foods: bakery items, roast duck or pork, hot deli counters, or on-site food stalls

These are great if you’re shopping for multiple cuisines or planning a big family meal.

Country- or Region-Specific Grocery Stores

You’ll also find specialized stores focused on one country or region, such as:

• Chinese markets – sauces, noodles, dumplings, Chinese greens, preserved vegetables
• Korean markets – gochujang, kimchi, banchan, Korean BBQ meats, instant ramyun
• Japanese markets – sushi rice, miso, Japanese snacks, ramen ingredients, bento items
• Indian and South Asian stores – masalas, daals, ghee, frozen parathas, snacks and sweets
• Vietnamese and Southeast Asian shops – fish sauce, rice noodles, herbs, curry pastes, tropical produce

These are useful when you’re cooking a specific cuisine and want the most authentic or specialized ingredients.

What You Can Usually Buy at Asian Groceries in Atlanta

While every store is different, most Asian supermarkets in Atlanta share several core sections.

Fresh Produce

Expect a broader range of vegetables and herbs than you’ll usually see at a standard supermarket, including:

• Leafy greens: bok choy, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), water spinach (ong choy), Napa cabbage
• Roots and stems: daikon radish, lemongrass, lotus root, taro, ginger, galangal
• Herbs: Thai basil, cilantro, perilla (kkaennip/shiso), Vietnamese coriander
• Fruits: dragon fruit, lychee (in season or frozen), longan, jackfruit, pomelo, Asian pears

Tip: 🥬 Bring recipes or ingredient lists on your phone; many items look similar but are used differently.

Meat and Seafood

Most larger Asian groceries in Atlanta have:

• Butcher counters offering thin-sliced meats, pork belly, short ribs (for Korean BBQ), and cuts for hotpot
• Seafood counters with whole fish, shrimp, crab, and sometimes live options in tanks
• Packaged items like fish balls, hotpot slices, and marinated meats

If you’re hosting hotpot, shabu-shabu, or grill-at-home BBQ, these sections are especially helpful.

Frozen and Refrigerated Foods

Common items include:

• Dumplings, potstickers, and bao
• Fish balls, crab sticks, and hotpot ingredients
• Frozen roti, paratha, naan, and other breads (especially in South Asian stores)
• Ice creams and desserts from different Asian countries

Pantry Staples

Across most Asian groceries in Atlanta, you’ll find:

• Rice and grains: jasmine, basmati, sushi rice, sticky rice
• Noodles: rice noodles, udon, soba, egg noodles, instant noodles
• Sauces and pastes: soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin, fish sauce, curry pastes, gochujang, miso
• Spices and seasonings: chili powders, masalas, five-spice, dashi, furikake

If you cook Asian dishes often, it’s common for Atlanta shoppers to buy large bags of rice and staple sauces here to save money over time.

How to Choose the Right Asian Grocery in Atlanta for Your Needs

Because Atlanta is spread out, many people choose stores based on location, size, and cuisine focus.

Consider Your Location and Travel Time

Traffic around I-285, I-85, and GA-400 can be heavy, so factor that into your plans:

• If you’re in Midtown, Downtown, or Buckhead, Buford Highway is usually under 20–30 minutes outside of peak rush hours.
• If you’re in Gwinnett (Duluth, Suwanee, Lawrenceville), nearby large Korean and Chinese supermarkets may be closer than driving into town.
• If you’re in Decatur, East Atlanta, or near Emory, South Asian and smaller pan-Asian shops in that direction might be more convenient.

Many Atlanta residents do a big Asian grocery run once every few weeks and smaller top-up trips locally.

Match the Store to the Cuisine

Think about what you plan to cook:

• Chinese or Vietnamese dishes → look for larger pan-Asian or Chinese-focused markets along Buford Highway or in Doraville/Chamblee
• Korean BBQ or stews → Korean grocery stores in Duluth, Suwanee, and along Buford Highway often have the best selection of cuts and side dishes
• Indian, Pakistani, or Bangladeshi cuisine → South Asian stores in Decatur, Clarkston, and parts of Norcross/Tucker tend to have the widest selection
• Japanese home cooking or sushi-at-home → specialty Japanese sections or smaller Japanese markets near Atlanta’s restaurant districts can be useful

You don’t need to know all the brands—just bring your recipe list and look for the country-focused area that matches what you’re cooking.

Check Parking, Crowds, and Timing

Practical tips for Atlanta shoppers:

• Weekends are busy, especially mid-morning to late afternoon. Parking lots near major plazas can fill quickly.
• Many stores open around 9–10 a.m.; going earlier often means easier parking and shorter lines.
• Some of the largest stores are near public transit, but most shoppers still drive due to the volume of groceries.

What to Expect When You Visit

If you’re new to Asian groceries in Atlanta, a first visit can feel overwhelming. Knowing what to expect helps.

Store Layout

Typical sections:

• Front area: produce, sometimes bakery or seasonal displays
• Sides: dry goods, sauces, noodles, snacks, rice
• Back: meat, seafood, frozen items, refrigerated goods
• Perimeter: sometimes food courts, bakeries, or small restaurants

Many stores label aisles in both English and the primary language of the store (Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, or Hindi, for example).

Payment Methods

Most established Asian supermarkets in Atlanta accept:

• Major credit and debit cards
• Cash
• Sometimes mobile payments (varies by store)

Smaller specialty shops may be cash-preferred or have minimums for card use, so it’s wise to bring some cash, especially along Buford Highway or in older strip centers.

Language and Labels

• Larger stores typically provide bilingual labels, especially for major items.
• More specialized items may only have partial English labeling.
• If you’re not sure what something is, it’s common for shoppers to use translation apps on ingredient lists or ask staff for the aisle where a category (like “soy sauce” or “fish sauce”) is located.

Simple Comparison: Big Supermarket vs. Small Specialty Shop

Use this quick reference to decide what fits your trip.

Practical Tips for Atlanta Shoppers

A little planning goes a long way, especially if you’re crossing the city.

Plan Your Route Around Traffic

Atlanta traffic can add a lot of time to a simple grocery run. A few strategies:

• Aim for weekday mornings or early weekend mornings when possible.
• If you work near Midtown or Buckhead, consider stopping at Buford Highway on your way home before rush hour builds.
• Combine your Asian grocery trip with other errands in the same area to maximize the drive.

Bring a Cooler or Insulated Bag

In summer, Atlanta heat can be intense. If you’re buying:

• Frozen dumplings
• Fresh seafood or meat
• Dairy or tofu

…a small cooler or insulated bag in your trunk can help keep everything at safe temperatures during the drive back, especially if you also stop at restaurants or other shops.

Be Open to Trying New Brands

Many brands at Asian groceries differ from what you see in mainstream supermarkets, but:

• They are often what local communities regularly use at home.
• Store staff or other shoppers sometimes share which sauces or noodles are common choices.
• Look for ingredient lists and country of origin to match what your recipe suggests (for example, Thai fish sauce for Thai recipes, Vietnamese for Vietnamese dishes).

How Visitors and New Residents Can Approach Asian Groceries in Atlanta

If you’re visiting Atlanta or have just moved to the area:

• Treat Buford Highway like an introductory tour to Atlanta’s Asian food culture. You can combine grocery shopping with a meal at one of the many restaurants.
• Many Atlanta locals plan “food days”: groceries in the morning, lunch at a nearby restaurant, and then back home before traffic peaks.
• If you’re staying in a hotel or short-term rental with a kitchen, an Asian grocery run can be an affordable way to cook interesting meals rather than eating out for every meal.

Address and Contact Information: How to Navigate Official and Public Resources

While most Asian grocery stores in Atlanta are private businesses that may change over time, there are stable public resources that can help you locate current options:

• City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of International and Immigrant Affairs (Welcoming Atlanta)
  City Hall
  55 Trinity Ave SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Phone: 404-330-6390

  This office focuses on international communities and may offer information on cultural neighborhoods, business corridors like Buford Highway, and community events where you can discover new markets.

• Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB)
  233 Peachtree St NE, Suite 1400
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Phone: 404-521-6600

  The visitors bureau can help point out international dining and shopping districts if you’re in town briefly and want to focus on well-known areas.

For the most up-to-date and specific Asian grocery store names and hours, many Atlanta residents rely on online maps, local community groups, and neighborhood forums and then plug the addresses into their GPS for traffic-aware directions.

Living in or visiting Atlanta gives you access to one of the Southeast’s most diverse selections of Asian groceries, from Buford Highway’s massive markets to suburban Korean and South Asian hubs. With a clear idea of where to go, what you need, and how to time your trip, shopping at an Asian grocery in Atlanta, GA can become a regular—and enjoyable—part of your routine.