Global India Connect | Korea Living Guide | 2026
Indian Grocery Stores in Seoul & Online Delivery Guide for Indians (2026)
Where to buy atta, dal, basmati rice, Indian spices, halal meat, and paneer in Seoul — in-store and online. Complete 2026 guide with prices, locations, and tips for vegetarians.
Reading time: ~13 min | Updated: April 2026
The first week in Korea is often the most disorienting — not for the language or the transport, but for the food. Korean supermarkets are excellent, but they carry almost no Indian staples. Finding atta flour, masoor dal, garam masala, or basmati rice requires knowing where to look. And if you are vegetarian or follow halal dietary practices, the challenge is compounded.
The good news: Seoul has a surprisingly functional Indian food ecosystem, anchored by a cluster of stores in Itaewon and Dongdaemun, and increasingly served by online platforms that deliver nationwide. Once you know the landscape, cooking Indian food in Seoul becomes genuinely manageable.
This guide is a companion to our Korean Food Guide for Indians — if that post covered what to eat outside, this one covers what to cook at home.
Table of Contents
1. Physical Indian Grocery Stores in Seoul
Most Indian grocery stores in Seoul are clustered in two areas: Itaewon (Yongsan-gu) and Dongdaemun. Both are accessible by subway and worth a dedicated monthly shopping trip.
🛒 Itaewon — The Main Hub
Foreign Food Mart (외국 식료품점)
📍 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu (Line 6, Itaewon Station, Exit 2 — 5 min walk)
🕐 Daily 09:00–21:00
The largest and best-stocked foreign food store in Seoul. Carries a wide range of Indian staples: atta flour, basmati rice, multiple varieties of dal (masoor, moong, chana, toor), paneer (frozen and refrigerated), Indian spices (whole and ground), ready-to-cook masala packets, Indian pickles, papadums, Indian biscuits and snacks, and halal-certified meat. Also stocks South Asian, Middle Eastern, and African products. Staff speak basic English. Can be crowded on weekends.
Itaewon Mart / Global Food Center
📍 Itaewon-ro area, multiple small shops near Itaewon Station
🕐 Most open 10:00–20:00
Several smaller stores along the main Itaewon street and adjacent alleys carry Indian products. Stock varies significantly between shops — do a quick walk-through before committing to a purchase. Good for impulse finds and comparing prices. Some shops specialise in South Asian snacks and beverages (Haldiram's, Parle-G, Maggi, Indian chai mixes).
🛒 Dongdaemun — South Asian Concentration
Pashupati Mart & Nepali Mart
📍 Dongdaemun area (Line 1/2/4/5, Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station)
🕐 Daily 09:00–22:00 (approx.)
Dongdaemun has a strong Nepali and South Asian migrant worker community, which has created a cluster of South Asian grocery stores. Pashupati Mart and similar shops stock Indian and Nepali staples — dal, spices, Indian flour brands, Indian-style ghee, and South Asian snacks. Prices are often slightly lower than Itaewon. The area is less polished but well-stocked. Worth visiting if you live in the eastern/northern parts of Seoul.
🛒 Pangyo / Bundang — No Dedicated Store, But Options Exist
There is currently no large dedicated Indian grocery store in the Pangyo/Bundang tech hub area. Indian IT professionals working there rely primarily on online delivery (Forpang, covered in Section 3). However:
- Hyundai Department Store Food Hall (판교점): The basement food hall of Hyundai Pangyo carries imported goods including some South Asian and halal products — limited range but convenient for small top-ups.
- Costco Bundang: Carries large-pack basmati rice (Lundberg or similar), basic spices, and occasionally international food items. Good value for bulk purchases.
- Indian restaurant pickup: Several Indian restaurants in Pangyo/Bundang (Bombay Brau, etc.) sell raw ingredients to regular customers — worth asking.
2. Halal Meat: Where to Buy in Seoul
Halal-certified meat — particularly lamb, goat, and halal chicken — is available in Seoul but requires knowing where to look. Korean supermarkets do not carry halal-certified meat as standard.
| Source | Location / Platform | Meat Available | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign Food Mart | Itaewon (physical store) | Lamb, chicken, beef, goat — fresh and frozen | Halal certified ✅ |
| Forpang (포르팡) | Online delivery (nationwide) | Frozen halal chicken, lamb, beef — packaged | Halal certified ✅ |
| Seoul Central Masjid Area | Itaewon-dong, Yongsan (near mosque) | Multiple halal butchers in the streets surrounding the Seoul Central Mosque | Halal certified ✅ |
| Costco Korea | Multiple locations (Yangpyeong, Bundang, Yangjae) | Imported whole chicken (sometimes halal-certified US/Australian origin); large packs | Check label — varies by batch |
3. Online Delivery: Forpang, Shuttle & Coupang
Online delivery has become the primary channel for Indian grocery shopping in Seoul — especially for residents outside Itaewon. Three platforms are particularly useful for Indian expats.
🥇 Best for Indian Groceries
Forpang (포르팡) — forpang.com
Forpang (formerly Shejang) is the leading online platform specialising in halal and international food in Korea. It has an English interface, ships nationwide with express delivery options, and carries the widest range of Indian grocery products available online in Korea — atta flour, all varieties of dal, basmati rice, Indian spice blends, Indian cooking oils, ready-to-eat Indian curries, Indian snacks, and halal meat.
✅ English app ✅ Halal certified ✅ Nationwide delivery ✅ Dawn delivery (새벽배송) in Seoul metro area
🥈 Foreign Expat Delivery
Shuttle — shuttle.delivery
Shuttle is a food and grocery delivery app built specifically for foreign residents in Korea. Full English interface, foreign card payment, and a curated selection of international ingredients including Indian and South Asian products. Also handles restaurant delivery from expat-friendly restaurants. Smaller inventory than Forpang but more user-friendly for complete beginners.
✅ English-first ✅ Foreign card payment ✅ Restaurant + grocery combined
🔍 Individual Item Search
Coupang & Naver Shopping
Korea's dominant e-commerce platform (Coupang) carries a growing range of Indian grocery items from third-party sellers. Search in Korean using product names: 바스마티 쌀 (basmati rice), 인도 향신료 (Indian spices), 렌틸콩 (lentils), 가람 마살라 (garam masala). Use Google Translate to navigate. Coupang Rocket Delivery (로켓배송) means many items arrive next-morning. Not curated for Indian products but good for finding specific items or brands.
Korean interface — use Google Translate. Fast delivery. Price competitive.
Foreign Food Mart Online
Foreign Food Mart also operates an online store (foreignfoodmart.com) with delivery across Korea. The online shop carries most of what the physical Itaewon store stocks. Useful if you cannot make the trip to Itaewon — minimum order may apply for free shipping.
4. What You Can Find (and What to Bring from India)
✅ Readily Available in Seoul
| Category | Items Available | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|
| Flours | Atta (wheat flour) — Sona/Patel brand; maida available as plain flour | Forpang, Foreign Food Mart |
| Lentils & Pulses | Masoor dal, moong dal, chana dal, toor dal, chickpeas (canned) | Forpang, Foreign Food Mart, Coupang |
| Rice | Basmati rice (multiple brands: Lalqilla, Swad, generic Indian brands) | Forpang, Coupang, Costco (large pack) |
| Spices (Dry) | Cumin, coriander, turmeric, chilli powder, garam masala, cardamom, cloves, black pepper, mustard seeds, fenugreek | Forpang, Foreign Food Mart, Dongdaemun stores |
| Ready-to-Cook Masalas | MDH, Everest, Eastern, Shan masala mixes; biryani masala, butter chicken mix, sambar powder | Forpang, Foreign Food Mart |
| Dairy Alternatives | Swad paneer (frozen), condensed milk (Milkmaid available), ghee (canned imported) | Forpang, Foreign Food Mart |
| Snacks & Biscuits | Haldiram's namkeen/bhujia/sev, Parle-G, Digestive biscuits, Maggi noodles (imported), Indian chai mixes (Tea Trunk, etc.) | Itaewon small shops, Dongdaemun stores, Forpang |
| Fresh Produce | Coriander, green chillies, garlic, ginger, tomatoes, onions, eggplant — all widely available at Korean supermarkets and traditional markets (시장) | Any Korean mart, traditional market (Mangwon Sijang, Noryangjin) |
⚠️ Hard to Find — Bring from India or Ask Family to Send
- Curry leaves (카리 잎): Rarely available fresh; sometimes found dried at Itaewon stores. Bring dried or freeze fresh leaves from India.
- Kokum, raw mango powder (amchur), dry red Kashmiri chillies: Occasionally available at Forpang but stock is inconsistent. Worth bringing a supply from India.
- Fresh paneer: Fresh (non-frozen) paneer is very difficult to find — the Korean dairy industry does not produce it. Frozen Swad paneer is the main option. Many Indian households make paneer at home using Korean full-fat milk.
- South Indian staples (tamarind paste, sambar powder specific brands, idli/dosa rice): Tamarind is available but specific South Indian brands are hit-or-miss. Bring a 3-month supply of your preferred brands when you first arrive.
- Betel leaves, paan masala, specific regional pickles: Not available in Korea — bring from India or arrange postal delivery (check Korean customs rules for food imports).
5. 2026 Price Guide: Indian Groceries in Seoul
Prices below are from Forpang and Foreign Food Mart as of April 2026. Expect Indian grocery prices in Seoul to be 2–4× higher than India — this is the reality of imported specialty food in any foreign country. Budget ₩50,000–₩100,000 per month for Indian grocery supplements on top of your regular Korean supermarket shopping.
| Product | Size | Price in Seoul (KRW) | INR Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atta (Sona / Patel Fresh) | 5 kg | ₩10,690 – ₩12,990 | ~₹663 – ₹806 |
| Masoor Dal | 800 g | ₩2,690 | ~₹167 |
| Moong Dal | 800 g | ₩7,390 | ~₹458 |
| Basmati Rice (Lalqilla / Swad) | 5 kg | ₩18,000 – ₩25,000 | ~₹1,116 – ₹1,550 |
| Paneer / Swad (frozen) | 450 g | ₩3,690 – ₩3,990 | ~₹229 – ₹247 |
| Garam Masala (MDH) | 100 g | ₩3,500 – ₩5,000 | ~₹217 – ₹310 |
| Turmeric Powder | 200 g | ₩3,000 – ₩4,500 | ~₹186 – ₹279 |
| Halal Chicken (frozen) | 1 kg | ₩8,000 – ₩12,000 | ~₹496 – ₹744 |
| Haldiram's Bhujia | 200 g | ₩3,500 – ₩4,500 | ~₹217 – ₹279 |
Source: Forpang.com, April 2026 (prices include standard discount). Prices subject to change; check app before ordering. INR conversion at ₩1 = ₹0.062.
6. Korean Supermarkets & What They Carry
The three major Korean hypermarket chains — E-mart, Lotte Mart, and Homeplus — all have a "World Food" (세계 식품) section that carries international products. The selection varies by branch size and location, but here is what to expect:
| Store | Indian / South Asian Products Available | Useful For Indians |
|---|---|---|
| E-mart | S&B curry powder (Japanese-style), canned chickpeas, coconut milk, basic spices, some Thai fish sauce (not Indian but useful) | Basic spice top-up; coconut milk for South Indian cooking |
| Lotte Mart | Similar to E-mart; some branches carry halal-certified CJ products; larger branches have wider imported food sections | Check large-format stores (Lotte Mart MEGA stores) for wider selection |
| Homeplus | Often has the widest imported food section among the three; some branches carry canned lentils, imported curry paste, Indian-style tea blends | Best of the three for variety; check the Yongsan/Mapo Homeplus |
| Costco Korea | Large-pack basmati rice, bulk spices, imported canned goods, coconut milk cartons, occasionally halal-certified imported chicken | Best for bulk staples; requires membership (₩38,500/year) |
| GS Supermarket / Emart Everyday | Very limited; mainly Korean products. Occasionally carries instant curry or noodle imports. | Not recommended for Indian grocery shopping specifically |
Traditional Korean Markets (시장)
Korean traditional markets are excellent for fresh produce at low prices. For Indian cooking specifically:
- Mangwon Sijang (망원시장, Mapo): Good selection of fresh vegetables including long green chillies, garlic, ginger, coriander (sometimes), eggplant. Very low prices.
- Noryangjin Fish Market (노량진수산시장): Not for Indian cooking specifically, but excellent for fresh seafood if you eat fish.
- Dongdaemun Market area: Spice and dry goods shops near the South Asian community cluster; sometimes sells bulk spices at lower prices than Forpang.
7. Vegetarian & Vegan Survival Guide in Seoul
Vegetarianism is significantly more difficult to maintain in Korea than in India. Korean cuisine uses seafood-based stock, fish sauce, and anchovies extensively — often in dishes that appear vegetarian (kimchi traditionally uses jeotgal fish sauce; most Korean soups use dashima or anchovy stock).
Home Cooking (Recommended)
The most reliable way to maintain a vegetarian diet in Korea is to cook at home using Indian groceries. With Forpang delivery and a well-stocked kitchen, cooking dal-rice, roti, sabzi, and South Indian dishes is entirely feasible. Korean supermarkets supply excellent fresh vegetables at low prices.
Eating Out as a Vegetarian
| Option | Vegetarian Friendly? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Indian restaurants | ✅ Best option | New Delhi, Jyoti (Itaewon), Bombay Brau (Pangyo) all have extensive vegetarian menus. Avg ₩11,000–₩16,000/dish. |
| Korean temple food restaurants (사찰음식) | ✅ Fully vegetarian/vegan | Buddhist temple food (사찰음식) uses no meat or fish. Notably: Balwoo Gongyang near Jogyesa Temple; slightly higher prices but excellent. |
| Italian / Mediterranean restaurants | ⚠️ Partially | Pasta, pizza, and salad options are reliable. Check for anchovy in Caesar dressing and parmesan in pasta sauces if strict vegetarian. |
| Standard Korean restaurants (일반 한식) | ❌ Difficult | Most Korean dishes use seafood stock. Bibimbap with no meat (야채 비빔밥) and tofu kimchi jjigae (ask for no pork) are some of the few reliable options — but even kimchi often contains jeotgal. |
| Convenience store (편의점) | ⚠️ Limited | Some triangle kimbap (삼각김밥) with vegetable fillings (cucumber, pickled radish). Hard-boiled eggs. Banana/apple. Not a full meal but useful for emergencies. |
"저는 채식주의자예요" — I am a vegetarian.
"고기 없이 주세요" — Please, no meat.
"해산물도 안 돼요" — No seafood either.
"이것에 고기나 생선이 들어가나요?" — Does this contain meat or fish?
Save these on your phone and show the screen to restaurant staff — spoken pronunciation is less reliable than written Korean for ordering.
Final Thought
Seoul's Indian food ecosystem is more functional than most new arrivals expect. The combination of Foreign Food Mart in Itaewon and Forpang online delivery covers the vast majority of Indian grocery needs across Korea. The key adjustment is budget — Indian groceries in Korea cost 2–4× more than in India, which means home cooking becomes a significant cost-saving habit rather than just a preference.
Set up Forpang on your phone in the first week. Do your first Itaewon store visit within the first month. Connect with the Indians in Korea Facebook group for community buying tips. After that, maintaining an Indian kitchen in Seoul is entirely manageable — and the ritual of cooking a proper dal-chawal or biryani on a Sunday will become one of the best parts of expat life.
Have a specific product you're looking for and can't find? Drop it in the comments — the Indian community in Korea is generous with sourcing tips and we'll add the answer to future updates.
Cost of Living in Seoul for Indians: Monthly Budget Breakdown (2026)
How to Find an Apartment in Seoul as an Indian: Jeonse, Wolse & Apps Guide
Sending Money from Korea to India: Best Apps & Fees Guide (2026)
Seoul Public Transportation Guide for Indians: Subway, Bus, T-money & KTX
References
- Forpang.com — "Indian Grocery Products: Live Price Data, April 2026." (forpang.com)
- Foreign Food Mart Seoul — "Store Information and Online Shop." (foreignfoodmart.com)
- Chosun Ilbo — "Korea Halal Food Market Expansion 2026: CJ, Ottogi, Nongshim Launches." (2026)
- Korea Muslim Federation (KMF) — "Halal Certification Program: 2026 Certified Products List." (kmf.or.kr)
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