The UK’s love for authentic Asian flavours is growing faster than ever. Whether you’re craving Japanese snacks, Korean noodles, Thai curry pastes, or Chinese pantry staples, finding a trusted Asian grocery store is essential to having a great experience.
This guide shares the best Asian supermarket in each region of the UK, including the North of England, the Midlands, the South of England, Scotland, Wales, as well as the best online Asian grocery store for nationwide delivery. Each pick is chosen for authenticity, range, quality, and customer experience.
North of England – Best Asian Grocery Store
Wing Yip, Manchester
If you’ve never been to Wing Yip in Manchester, imagine a warehouse-sized treasure trove of Asian groceries. It’s popular with both home cooks and restaurant chefs.
Why it stands out:
- Long aisles of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, and Vietnamese ingredients.
- Big savings on restaurant-size sauces, noodles, and frozen dim sum.
- A Chinese bakery on site for fresh buns and sweet pastries.
It’s the sort of supermarket where you’ll spot things you’ve never seen before, and leave inspired to cook something new.
The Midlands – Best Asian Grocery Store
Taste The Orient, Birmingham
Birmingham’s Taste The Orient is a paradise for fans of East and Southeast Asian cooking. The shelves are filled with everything from Japanese miso sauces to Vietnamese rice noodles and Chinese crackers to Thai curry pastes, making it one of the best spots in the Midlands for authentic Asian groceries.
Why it’s worth visiting:
- A wide range of products from China, Korea, Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam.
- Fresh vegetables and herbs like Thai basil, pak choi, and lemongrass.
- Well-stocked freezer section with dumplings, bao buns, and seafood.
Known for: A strong selection of instant noodles and snacks you’ll rarely see in UK supermarkets.
Unique feature: Friendly, knowledgeable staff who are typically happy to help you find what you need, even if it’s something very specific or hard to find, such as Korean perilla leaves.
South of England – Best Asian Grocery Store
Japan Centre, Leicester Square
London has no shortage of Asian food shops, but the Japan Centre in Leicester Square is something special. It’s part grocery store, part deli, part bakery, and 100% heaven for Japanese food lovers.
Why it’s worth the trip:
- A huge selection of Japanese ingredients, from proper sushi rice and artisan soy sauces to matcha and miso.
- A bakery turning out melon pan, fluffy cheesecakes, and seasonal treats.
- A hot food counter serving ramen, katsu curry, and takoyaki you can eat right there.
If you’re looking for authentic Japanese groceries at reasonable prices in London, this is the place.
Scotland – Best Asian Grocery Store
Matthew’s Foods, Glasgow
For Asian food in Scotland, Matthew’s Foods in Glasgow is the clear front-runner. Part of a chain, it’s built a reputation for quality and authenticity.
What makes it great:
- A focus on Chinese, Japanese, and Korean staples, both fresh and frozen.
- Crisp, fresh greens like gai lan and Chinese chives.
- Staff who actually know their products and will happily give cooking tips.
You can even make a day of it, shop for your ingredients, then pop into the on-site restaurant for dim sum.
Wales – Best Asian Grocery Store
Cardiff Korean & Japanese Food, Cardiff
Cardiff’s Cardiff Korean & Japanese Food is small but mighty, with a loyal following. It’s clean, well organised, and packed with the essentials.
Why it’s a local favourite:
- Shelves full of Chinese, Thai, and Japanese pantry staples.
- A freezer section stacked with dumplings, dim sum, and seafood.
- Bulk-buy discounts that make stocking up affordable.
It’s a great stop for everyday cooking or when you’re planning a big feast.
Best Online Asian Grocery Store – UK-Wide Delivery
Morueats.com – Asian Food, Anywhere in the UK. For anyone who can’t make it to a physical store, or simply prefers the convenience, Morueats.com is the UK’s best online Asian food shop.
Why it’s brilliant:
- A handpicked selection of products from Japan, Korea, Taiwan, China, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
- Everything is kitchen-tested, so you’re not guessing about quality.
- Nationwide delivery, carefully packaged to protect delicate items.
Standout features:
- Personalised recommendations so you can discover new favourites.
- A loyalty scheme with discounts and exclusive offers for regular customers.
- A recipe blog full of ideas to put your new ingredients to use.
From bubble tea kits to Korean ramen, Morueats.com is like having an Asian supermarket in your pocket.