Highlights
Korean and Japanese snacks and sauces are now common in Saudi homes.
K-pop and K-drama are influencing Saudi food culture.
Supermarkets are offering authentic experiences that can’t be found in regular store. Also Cities like Alkhobar and Al-Shamalia are joining the trend.
Saudi Arabia is embracing new flavors from Korea and Japan. Korean and Japanese supermarkets have become more popular in cities like Riyadh and Alkhobar. These stores are bringing a piece of East Asia to Saudi streets, with products ranging from snacks and noodles to skincare.
Rising Popularity of Korean and Japanese Products
Korean and Japanese products, like noodles, sauces, and snacks, are becoming everyday items for many Saudi families. “Korean cuisine has become a popular trend here, and we saw an opportunity to bring authentic products to satisfy that demand,” said Fahad Al-Salmi, the owner of Japanese & Korean Mart in Riyadh.
The popularity of K-pop and K-dramas is driving interest in Korean culture, making Korean food trendy. Al-Salmi explained, “Our decision to open a Korean supermarket in Saudi Arabia was driven by the growing interest in Korean culture, particularly through K-pop, K-dramas, and Korean cuisine.”
Local store owners, like Abdusalam Thodi, who owns Kimchi Supermarket, noticed this demand. He said, “I was inspired by Korea to open a Korean supermarket because I studied there.”
Cultural Connection through Food
Fahad Al-Salmi says that Saudis are eager to try new flavors, influenced by Korean entertainment and cuisine. “Many Saudis are curious about trying new flavors and exploring international cultures. Korea has become a popular trend,” he added.
Abdusalam Thodi shares his view on the growing trend, saying, “Our bestsellers are Korean noodles and sauces, but we also offer a wide range of cultural products and specialty foods. Korean cuisine and culture are rapidly growing in popularity here in Saudi Arabia, and we’re proud to be part of this exciting trend.”
The availability of products like gochujang (Korean chili paste) and soy sauce is making Korean food part of everyday meals. “With the influence of Korean entertainment, many Saudis are more open to trying international foods and incorporating them into their diets,” said Al-Salmi.
Cities Across Saudi Arabia Join the Trend
Riyadh leads the movement, but now cities like Alkhobar and Al-Shamalia are also welcoming Korean and Japanese stores. The expansion into these areas highlights the growing appeal of Korean and Japanese supermarkets.
These stores offer customers a taste of cultures they had only seen on TV. For fans like Fatimah Al-Dossari, who has been watching Korean dramas for 20 years, the emergence of Korean supermarkets is a dream come true. She said, “It’s amazing to see so many supermarkets now offering popular Korean snacks, noodles, cooking sauces, and seasonings. I couldn’t be happier — shopping for these items has become a regular treat for me every three weeks!”
Unique Experiences for Shoppers
Zainab Al-Salman, a regular customer, describes shopping at these stores as a unique cultural adventure. “Trying new things that represent a different culture is always a great way to get to know this culture in your home and have a fun time exploring it,” she said. “Every time I go, it’s like visiting a museum. I tend to feel happy and joyful trying to pick what I will try next that I haven’t tried before.”
These specialty markets offer more variety than regular stores and sometimes even better prices. Al-Salman added, “Specialty markets often offer more options than just one section in other regular markets, and sometimes they are even cheaper.”
Creating New Habits
Families are now trying new foods, like kimchi, that they didn’t consider before. Zainab Al-Salman shared, “Yes, it did help me build some habits like buying a kimchi bowl every few months for the family. That opened their eyes to other different things.”
Korean and Japanese supermarkets are attracting shoppers with products that aren’t easily found elsewhere, like effective skincare items. Al-Salman said, “Some of these products are not popular enough to be produced and sold in our markets, like different types of skincare products that are more effective than others.”
Conclusion
Korean and Japanese supermarkets are offering an exciting way for Saudis to connect with new cultures through food. Fatimah Al-Dossari summarized it well, saying, “It’s amazing to see how food can bring people closer to a culture.”
By bringing these unique products to Saudi Arabia, these stores are making cultural connections stronger, one product at a time.
