When I was staying in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, I realized that the Korean wave is not as booming as in Indonesia. I once visited K-Food Fair Event at 1Utama and honestly, it’s not as grand as the similar event held in Jakarta, which both was held in 2016. Despite that, Kuala Lumpur is one of the top city populated by Korean expats. Just as Indonesians who can’t live without sambal and sweet soy sauce, Koreans surely have needs and items that can’t be found elsewhere but from their home country.

Looking for Korean products in Kuala Lumpur is easy though. From instant noodles (라면), kimchi (김치), seaweed (미역/김), banana milk (바나나맛 우유), tea (차), to soju (소주), everything can be bought from most convenient stores and supermarkets in Kuala Lumpur such as Cold Storage, Jaya Grocer, Village Grocer, and Isetan. But if you are looking for kitchen or dining utensils, or Korean traditional produces, you will need to visit a Korean supermarket which is owned and managed by a Korean. Usually these shops are located in an area informally known as Korea town.

Well, of course. Their main customers are Koreans anyway…

If you are a fan of Korean food like me, you probably have known these shops already. Or maybe not. Anyway, check them out!

Sri Hartamas

Sri Hartamas area is rather difficult to be reached by LRT. You could take a bus number 190 to reach here. And the easiest way is to simply Grab. It costs about RM 10 from nearest LRT/MRT stations (Semantan, Segambut, PWTC).

Lotte Mart

26G, 28G, 26-1, 1st Floor, Jalan 27/70a, Desa Sri Hartamas, 50480 Kuala Lumpur

Nope, it’s not that Lotte Mart owned by Lotte. It’s actually a small shop like KK. This shop sells Korean food and beverages, groceries, home products, and utensils.

Top Mart

12, Jalan 25/70a, Desa Sri Hartamas, 50480 Kuala Lumpur

Located right in front of Lotte Mart and selling similar products. It’s such a competition like KK and 7-Eleven who open near each other. As a customer, we have an advantage since we could simply go to a nearby shop if we couldn’t find something at the other shop. No need to go far to find another Korean shop.

Mont Kiara

Sri Hartamas and Mont Kiara are two adjacent residential complexes. There are shoplots along the street. It is possible to reach here by bus, but you will have to wait very long for it. Grab is much better. Just add RM 3 more from Sri Hartamas.

Kim’s Mart (김스마트)

No. 11, Jalan Solaris 2, Solaris Mont Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur

This shop sells a variety of imported processed foods as well as fresh produces such as meat, vegetables, and house-made sikhye (식혜).

Shin Sun Mi Market Solaris (심선미 마켓)

7, Jalan Solaris, Solaris Mont Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur

If you want to search it on Google Maps, the name is Shin Mi Sun, though its real name is Shin Sun Mi Market (신선미 마켓). Shin Sun Mi Market is a store brand with many branches in multiple cities in Malaysia. The shop sells fresh products, processed foods, and utensils.

K Market (케이마켓)

Lot J-G-10, Jalan Solaris 4, Solaris Mont Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur

This is one of the latest Korean supermarket that’s just opened. The interior is comfy and modern. They sell a variety of products. If you love Korean snacks, you will really like going there. The shop is rather hidden. It’s located on the back side of SohoKL, near the ramp to basement parking lot.

NH Mart (농협관)

EOG-01 & EOG-04, Plaza Mont Kiara, Block E, 2 Jalan Kiara, Mont Kiara, Mont Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur

Their focus is on Korean agricultural products. It’s not a surprise since their name is NH (농현) which represents Korean Agriculture Cooperation. Here you could find their home branded products such as NH processed foods, NH produces, and NH halal foods.

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Ampang

Ampang is the Korea town of Kuala Lumpur. There are Korean restaurants, Korean shops, even Korean beauty saloons. Compared to Sri Hartamas and Mont Kiara which look upper classy, Ampang looks rather like an old town. The nearest LRT station here is Ampang LRT Station. If you are taking bus, it’s better to stop at Pandan Indah LRT Station and get on a bus number T303 which goes along the street where these shops are located.

Galaxy Korean Mart (갤럭시 코리안 마트)

64, Komplex Galaxy Ampang, Jalan Dagang 5, Taman Dagang, 68000 Ampang

The supermarket is located inside Galaxy Ampang Mall

Shin Sun Mi Market Ampang (신선미 마켓)

14-L1, Ampang Putra Residensi, Jalan Ampang Putra 6, 68000 Ampang

It’s another Shin Sun Mi Market branch. Not only they sell food products, they also have a complete collection of Korean utensils and cosmetics. You can also visit a tteokbokki corner and buy a freshly cooked tteokbokki (떡볶이), ramyeon (라면), and other Korean street foods. Good when you get hungry while shopping.

Hanaro Mart (하나로 마트)

C-9, Jalan Utama One Ampang Avenue, One Ampang Avenue, 68000 Ampang

They used to be called Pasaraya Korean Mart (한국 슈퍼마켓). After being renovated, they renamed their shop to Hanaro Mart.

Phill Mart (필 마트)

C1-1, Jalan Ampang Utama 1/1 & Jalan Ampang, One Ampang Avenue

Phill Mart is located just a few blocks away from Hanaro Mart.

Lotte Mart

A-15-1-1, Jalan Ampang Utama 2/2, One Ampang Avenue, 68000 Ampang

Dong Ne Korean Mart (동네식품 방앗간)

B12-1, Jalan Ampang Utama 2/2, One Ampang Avenue, 68000 Ampang

Dong Ne Korean Mart is located at the end of One Ampang Avenue, on the same side as Lotte Mart.

For those of you who live in KL, which Korean supermarket is your favorite?