Your Guide to Asian Markets in Atlanta, GA: Where to Shop and What to Know

Atlanta has one of the most diverse food scenes in the Southeast, and its Asian markets are a big reason why. Whether you live in the city, are visiting, or just want to explore new ingredients and snacks, Atlanta offers a wide range of Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Indian, Filipino, Japanese, Thai, and pan-Asian grocery stores.

This guide focuses specifically on Asian markets in and around Atlanta, GA—how they’re laid out, what you can buy, where they’re located, and how to shop them like a local.

Why Atlanta Is a Great City for Asian Markets

Atlanta’s Asian grocery options are shaped by a few key areas:

• Buford Highway – The heart of multicultural food in metro Atlanta, running through Brookhaven, Doraville, and Chamblee.
• Duluth / Suwanee / Johns Creek – Northern suburbs with strong Korean, Chinese, and Indian communities.
• Inside the Perimeter (ITP) – Smaller specialty markets convenient if you’re closer to Midtown, Downtown, Decatur, or the Westside.

Because of this, you’ll find everything from huge warehouse-style supermarkets to tiny specialty shops focused on a single cuisine.

Major Types of Asian Markets in Atlanta

Most “Asian markets” in Atlanta fall into a few categories:

Pan-Asian Supermarkets

These are large stores that carry a mix of Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Southeast Asian, and sometimes South Asian products. They typically have:

• Big produce sections with Asian vegetables and herbs
• Fresh seafood counters
• Meat butchers familiar with Asian cuts
• Aisles organized by country or region
• In-store bakeries or food courts

They’re a good starting point if you’re new to Asian cooking or want one-stop shopping.

Country- or Region-Specific Markets

These are focused on one cuisine or region, such as:

• Korean markets – Lots of kimchi, banchan (side dishes), Korean cuts of meat, and specialty snacks.
• Chinese markets – Dried goods, noodles, sauces, Chinese bakery items.
• Indian / South Asian grocers – Spices, lentils, flours, ghee, frozen breads, and regional snacks.
• Vietnamese / Thai markets – Fresh herbs, rice noodles, fish sauce, curry pastes.

These can be especially helpful if you’re cooking specific traditional dishes or want brands you recognize from home.

Small Specialty Shops

Spread throughout the city, you’ll also find:

• Japanese snack and convenience-style shops
• Filipino-focused stores
• Specialty spice, tea, or dessert shops

These are often tucked into small plazas or side streets, especially near Buford Highway and in the northern suburbs.

Key Asian Market Corridors Around Atlanta

You don’t need to know every store by name to shop effectively. It’s often easier to think in terms of areas.

Buford Highway: Atlanta’s International Food Hub

If you only visit one area for Asian markets, make it Buford Highway. This stretch runs northeast from Atlanta through:

• Brookhaven
• Chamblee
• Doraville

Along this road, you’ll find multiple Asian supermarkets and smaller markets in every plaza. It’s especially rich in:

• Chinese grocery stores
• Korean markets and bakeries
• Vietnamese and pan-Asian shops
• Small Southeast Asian and Latin American markets side by side

Buford Highway is easiest to reach by car, but parts of it are accessible by MARTA bus and near some MARTA rail stations (notably Chamblee and Doraville stations). Parking is generally free in the plazas.

Duluth, Suwanee, and Johns Creek: North Metro Asian Shopping

If you’re in the northern suburbs, areas like Duluth, Suwanee, and Johns Creek have dense clusters of Asian markets and restaurants. These areas are known for:

• Large Korean-focused supermarkets
• Chinese and pan-Asian stores
• Many South Asian / Indian groceries

This corridor is a good choice if you live or stay north of I-285 and prefer less city traffic.

Inside the Perimeter: Intown Convenience

If you live near Downtown, Midtown, Decatur, or the Westside, you’ll still find:

• Smaller Asian groceries
• South Asian markets
• Specialty Japanese and pan-Asian shops

These stores are typically more compact than the big suburban markets, but they’re convenient if you don’t want to drive out to Buford Highway or Duluth.

What You’ll Typically Find in an Atlanta Asian Market

Most Asian grocery stores around Atlanta share a similar layout, even if the focus is different.

1. Fresh Produce

Expect a wide range of Asian vegetables and herbs you may not see in mainstream supermarkets, such as:

• Napa cabbage, bok choy, Chinese broccoli
• Daikon radish, taro, lotus root
• Thai basil, culantro, perilla leaves, lemongrass
• Long beans, bitter melon, choy sum

Prices are often lower than big-box grocers, especially if you’re comfortable buying in slightly larger quantities.

2. Meat and Seafood

Many larger Asian markets include:

• Fresh seafood counters with whole fish, shellfish, and live tanks in some locations
• Butcher sections that understand cuts used in Asian recipes (for hot pot, sukiyaki, kalbi, stir-fry, etc.)

If you’re planning a seafood boil, hot pot night, or Korean BBQ at home, these sections can be especially useful.

3. Dry Goods, Noodles, and Rice

Look for:

• Rice in sizes ranging from small bags to 20–50 lb sacks
• Noodles: rice noodles, udon, soba, instant ramen, glass noodles, egg noodles
• Sauces and condiments: soy sauces, fish sauce, oyster sauce, gochujang, miso, curry pastes, chili oils
• Canned and bottled items: coconut milk, bamboo shoots, water chestnuts, pickled vegetables

Aisles are often labeled in English, and many products have bilingual packaging, which helps if you’re new to the ingredients.

4. Frozen Foods

Frozen sections are usually extensive and can include:

• Dumplings, buns, shumai, spring rolls
• Frozen seafood and meats
• Indian breads (naan, paratha, chapati), idli, dosa batter
• Desserts like mochi ice cream or regional specialties

Frozen dumplings and buns are a popular starter choice if you’re just beginning to explore Asian markets.

5. Snacks, Drinks, and Sweets

Most Atlanta Asian markets stock a large variety of:

• Chips and crackers from across Asia
• Instant noodles in many flavors
• Cookies, candies, and specialty sweets
• Milk teas, aloe drinks, flavored sodas, and juices

These aisles are great for trying something new without much commitment.

6. Housewares and Specialty Items

Many of the larger stores carry:

• Rice cookers, steamers, hot pots, grills
• Chopsticks, bowls, bento boxes, lunch tins
• Woks, knives, and specialty cookware

This can be practical if you’re setting up a kitchen for Asian-style cooking at home.

Quick Overview: Types of Asian Markets You’ll See Around Atlanta

How to Shop Asian Markets in Atlanta If You’re New

If you’re not familiar with Asian grocery stores, Atlanta is an easy city to start in. A few practical tips:

Go at the Right Time

• Weekday mornings or early afternoons are usually less crowded.
• Weekends on Buford Highway and in Duluth can be very busy, especially around lunchtime.

Start with a Short List

To avoid feeling overwhelmed, focus on:

• 1–2 new vegetables
• A couple of sauces or seasonings
• One frozen item (like dumplings or buns)
• A snack or drink you don’t recognize

This keeps the trip manageable, especially if you’re shopping at a large supermarket for the first time.

Ask Staff for Help

In many Atlanta-area Asian markets:

• Staff may speak English plus one or more Asian languages.
• If you can, bring a photo or screenshot of what you’re looking for—this often works better than trying to describe it.

If language is a concern, browsing aisle signs and using translation apps on packaging can help.

Payment and Bags

Most larger Asian markets around Atlanta:

• Accept major credit and debit cards
• Have loyalty or rewards programs you can sign up for at the register
• Ask you to bring or buy reusable bags, though many still provide plastic bags

Smaller shops may be more likely to:

• Have minimums for card use
• Prefer cash for small purchases

What Atlanta Locals Commonly Buy at Asian Markets

Many Atlanta residents—whether they’re from Asian backgrounds or not—use these markets for:

• Fresh herbs and greens that are often cheaper and fresher than at mainstream stores
• Seafood and specialty meats for holidays and gatherings
• Rice and noodles in larger, more economical bags
• Quick meals like frozen dumplings, ready-made curries, or banchan
• Snacks and drinks you can’t find in standard supermarkets

If you’re visiting Atlanta, stopping by an Asian market (especially along Buford Highway) can be a memorable way to experience the city’s diversity—even if you’re just browsing.

Practical Tips for Atlanta Visitors and New Residents

Getting There Without a Car

• MARTA rail and bus can get you relatively close to some markets, especially on the Doraville/Chamblee end of Buford Highway.
• From Doraville or Chamblee stations, short rideshare trips can take you to major plazas.
• Some intown markets are walkable from rail stations or located along major bus routes.

If you’re staying near Downtown or Midtown, consider:

• Rideshares to Buford Highway or Duluth if you plan to shop heavily
• Combining a grocery trip with a meal at one of the many nearby Asian restaurants

Parking and Crowds

• Most Asian markets have free parking lots, but on weekends they can fill up.
• Expect heavy traffic around major plazas during peak meal times (especially around lunch and early dinner).

⏱️ Time-saving tip: If you’re short on time, aim for late morning on weekdays for the easiest experience.

Using Atlanta’s Asian Markets in Everyday Life

Whether you’re in Atlanta short-term or long-term, these markets can fit into your routine:

• Weekly groceries: Stock up on produce, rice, noodles, and pantry items.
• Special occasions: Whole fish, hot pot ingredients, BBQ cuts, and unique desserts.
• Meal prep: Grab pre-marinated meats, frozen dumplings, and ready-made curries.
• Exploring new cuisines: Pick one cuisine (Korean, Indian, Vietnamese, etc.) and focus on ingredients from that region for a week.

You don’t need to know much before you go—walking the aisles, reading labels, and trying a few new items each visit is often the best way to learn.

Atlanta’s Asian markets are a core part of how the city eats and shops. Whether you’re on Buford Highway, up in Duluth and Suwanee, or shopping intown, you’ll find a wide network of stores offering ingredients, snacks, and prepared foods from across Asia—accessible to both longtime residents and first-time visitors.