Best Korean Grocery Stores in Coquitlam & Burnaby

The Tri-Cities area (Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody) and North Burnaby have one of the biggest Korean communities in Metro Vancouver. If you're looking for gochujang, fresh kimchi, Korean rice cakes, or soju, you're in the right neighborhood. Here's where to shop.

Best Korean Grocery Stores

H Mart — 101-2632 Lougheed Hwy, Port Coquitlam

H Mart is the biggest Korean supermarket chain in North America, and this location is well-stocked. Everything you need for Korean cooking: gochujang, doenjang, sesame oil, every type of ramyeon, frozen mandu, fresh tofu, and a solid banchan (side dish) section. Their meat department has pre-marinated bulgogi and galbi ready to cook — really convenient.

Typical prices: Gochujang (500g) $5.49, fresh kimchi (1kg) $8.99, shin ramyeon (5-pack) $4.49

Hannam Supermarket — 4501 North Rd, Burnaby

Hannam is a beloved local Korean chain. The North Road location is in the heart of Burnaby's Korean strip. Smaller than H Mart but the prices are often better, especially on produce and Korean snacks. Their homemade kimchi is popular — some locals say it's better than H Mart's. They also carry Korean cosmetics and household items.

Kim's Mart — 4501 Kingsway, Burnaby

A smaller Korean grocery on Kingsway near Metrotown. Good for quick stops — they have the basics covered. Prices are mid-range. Their frozen food section has a decent selection of Korean dumplings and rice cakes.

Lotte Plaza — Coming soon to Coquitlam

Lotte, another major Korean chain, has been expanding in BC. Check if their Coquitlam location has opened — it'll add more competition and potentially better prices.

Korean Ingredients at Non-Korean Stores

If you need just a few Korean items and don't want to make a special trip:

• T&T Supermarket — Good Korean aisle with ramyeon, sauces, and frozen foods
• Superstore — Growing Asian section with basic Korean items
• Amazon.ca — Surprisingly good for shelf-stable Korean items in bulk

North Road: Burnaby's Korean Strip

North Road between Lougheed Highway and Kingsway is Metro Vancouver's Korean hub. Besides Hannam, you'll find:

• Korean bakeries (Paris Baguette, Tous Les Jours)
• Korean restaurants (BBQ, fried chicken, tofu stew)
• Korean beauty supply stores
• Korean bookstores and stationery shops

Take the Millennium Line to Holdom station — it's a 10-minute walk to the North Road strip.

Watching your food budget? Our grocery budget calculator can help you plan Korean cooking costs per week.

Price Tips for Korean Grocery Shopping

• Buy kimchi in large containers (2kg+) — much cheaper per kg than small jars
• H Mart's weekly flyer has good meat deals — check the app
• Rice from Korean stores is premium (and pricier); for everyday rice, T&T or Superstore is cheaper
• Soju is cheapest at BC Liquor Stores ($6.49/bottle), not the grocery stores

Frequently Asked Questions

Is H Mart cheaper than Hannam?

It depends on the item. H Mart generally has better prices on meat and produce. Hannam often beats H Mart on snacks, sauces, and specialty items. Both run weekly sales, so check flyers. For the absolute cheapest Korean groceries, compare both.

Where can I find Korean rice cakes (tteok)?

H Mart and Hannam both carry fresh and frozen tteok. For the freshest option, check the refrigerated section at H Mart — they stock freshly made tteok from local Korean bakeries. Frozen is fine for tteokbokki.

Can I find Korean ingredients in Coquitlam?

H Mart in Port Coquitlam is your best bet. There are also a few small Korean shops on Austin Road near Lougheed Town Centre. For a wider selection, head to North Road in Burnaby — it's a 15-minute drive.

References

[1] Statistics Canada, "Census Profile, Vancouver CMA, 2021." https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/index.cfm

[2] BC Housing, "Rental Market Reports." https://www.bchousing.org/research-centre/housing-data

[3] City of Vancouver, "Open Data Portal." https://opendata.vancouver.ca/

[4] TransLink, "Metro Vancouver Transit Information." https://www.translink.ca/

New to the area? Our rent affordability calculator can help you figure out how much to budget for housing in Coquitlam or Burnaby.