Grocery & Markets

Preparing for Your Move | Getting Settled | Making Osan Home

DISCLAIMER: Any stores or business listed in this information are strictly for informational purposes. 51 FW does not promote, recommend, or otherwise endorse these businesses over any others, including those owned and operated by the U.S. Department of Defense.

Grocery Stores

Grocery stores and markets are very common and integral to Korea because of the significance food has in Korean culture. They cater to both locals and foreigners quite comfortably, providing a variety of food at affordable prices. Remember, the Korean diet focuses on vegetables and fish, so poultry and beef may be more expensive on the economy.

Styles of Shops:

Major Grocery Stores
- Ex. Lotte Mart, Emart, Homeplus, Costco
Small or Local Grocery Stores
- Most are “marts” or end with 마트 in their name
Convenience Stores
- GS25, CU, 7-Eleven, Emart24, Ministop
5-day and Open Air Markets
- 4/9 Market, 5/0 Market, 2/6 Market

The Basics

Cheese: American style sliced sandwich cheese is available at most grocery stores. However, other cheeses besides mozzarella may be harder to find outside of more westernized stores. Some of the major grocery stores do offer a foreign or gourmet cheese section.

Milk: Cow’s milk is easy to find off base, however, most don’t list a fat percentage and are between 3.6-4% whole milk. Red labels tend to be whole milks, blue labels tend to be skim or lower fat milks. Alternative milks, like soy or almond, and flavored milks like banana, strawberry, and chocolate, are also easy to find.

Fresh Produce: Fresh produce is king at local markets! You can easily find wide varieties of inexpensive, in-season fruits and vegetables year-round. After the new year, watch for citrus, pomegranate, and strawberries to be on sale. In Spring, keep an eye out for tomatoes, salad greens, cherries, and radishes. Summer is lush with everything from melons to cucumbers, grapes, and peaches. And Autumn brings great prices on apples, pears, and persimmons.

Baking Items: Pantry basics like flours, white and brown sugar, baking powder and baking soda, and a wide variety of pastry and bakery ingredients are easy to find in both major and small grocery stores. Butters, heavy creams, and flavorings are readily available as well.

Snacks: Just like in the U.S., there are entire aisles dedicated to sweet and salty treats – including well-known brands from the U.S. along with local favorites.

Pro-Tips:

Shoppers bag or box their own groceries after checking out, either at the end of the checkout lane or at a bagging/boxing station nearby. It’s okay to put your items back into your cart to organize them the way you’d prefer once you’re away from the checkout lane.
It is recommended to bring reusable bags. Plastic or paper ones may be available, but usually at an additional cost.
Most major supermarkets are closed twice a month to encourage shopping at local markets. Check their websites or contact Korea’s tourist hotline “1330” for specific hours if you plan to go on a Wednesday or Sunday.
Most major chains and local grocery stores, as well as convenience stores, accept U.S. Credit Cards like Navy Federal Credit Union or USAA. Check with your bank if you aren’t sure, and always bring Korean Won (KRW) just in case.
If you are visiting a market, it is recommended to bring Korean Won.

Traditional Markets

Open-air traditional markets are a great place to purchase local fruits and vegetables, as well as household goods for you and your family year-round! These local markets let you experience life in Korea while browsing fresh produce and other necessities at excellent prices, plus you can enjoy sampling some local “street food.” 5-Day markets are common, and although many are open daily, the days ending in their “5-Day” designation (typically 1/6, 2/7, 3/8, 4/9, and 5/0) will have a much broader selection of motivated vendors. Bargaining is welcomed, and often you’ll find the same item for sale at nearby booths, so don’t be afraid to counter-offer or shop around!

Below is a list of items that you can typically find at markets:

Clothes, Household Supplies, Shoes
Fresh Fruit and Vegetables
Fish and Seafood (often live) as well as various meats and offals
Local Honey and Teas
Rice Cakes (called ‘tteok’)
Homemade Mandu (stuffed dumplings) and Noodles
Beans, Pulses, Grains, and Millets
Homemade Doenjang (a fermented soybean paste similar to miso), and Gochujang (a spicy red pepper paste used in sauces and soups)
Dried Fruits, Vegetables, and Seafood
Roasted Seaweed, Tofu, and Banchan varieties
Hottoek (a traditional Korean sweet pancake), Waffles (often shaped like fish), Meat-on-a-Stick, and other snacks

4/9 Market

0800-1900

The 4/9 Market is the closest market to Osan Air Base and features a variety of vendors and goods spanning several blocks. It is open daily but is most vibrant on dates that end with 4 or 9. You can try to find parking nearby, but it’s more convenient to park on base and walk through the SED (map below from the 7-Eleven to the market) or grab a cab just outside the Main Gate for about $5. Have Korean Won on-hand because most stalls don’t take credit cards. Small plastic bags are usually provided for free, but bringing reusable bags will help with carrying everything you find.

Address: Songbuk Market Cooperative / 경기 평택시 탄현로 340 / http://naver.me/G9RMtLSS

2/7 Market

0800-1900

The 2/7 Market is similar to the 4/9 and set up in Seojeongri, near Seojeongri Subway Station on Line 1 (1 stop south from Songtan Station). It is also open every day, but more vibrant on day’s that end in 2 and 6.

Tongbok Market

The Tongbok Traditional Market in Pyeongtaek is a vibrant and bustling marketplace, renowned for being one of the largest in southern Gyeonggi-do and the largest in Pyeongtaek itself. It’s a popular spot for those seeking affordable groceries and an authentic experience of local Korean culture. The market features a variety of stalls offering traditional Korean snacks, fried foods, and other culinary delights. It’s also known for its vast array of vendors selling a range of items, making it a go-to destination for both locals and visitors alike. The market is conveniently located near AK Plaza Pyeongtaek and accessible by taxi, bus, train, or car, with free parking available.

Address:

10 Tongboksijang-ro 25 beon-gil, Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

or 경기 평택시 통복시장로25번길 10

Anjung (1/6) Market

A little farther away, west of Osan Air Base and USAG Humphreys, you’ll find the Anjung Market. This is another traditional market that is open daily, but has a much more vibrant selection on days ending on 1 and 6 (1st, 6th, 11th, 16th, 21st, 26th, 31st)

경기 평택시 안중읍 안현로서3길 34