I always talk about food a lot, most of which is around restaurants and prepared food. But, not today… Today, we are moving on to a much more primal experience. The overwhelming, intoxicating joy of entering the best Asian Market here in Dublin. Cause I know, you love eating and aren’t looking for these Asian corners… yeah, that’s just ain’t possible.
To us food lovers, these Asian markets are heaven. Dried shiitake, galangal, five spice, and fresh coriander create this special assault on your senses. The shelves are a riot of color and language. It is not a shop, it’s an immediate, cheap journey around the world, in the Irish capital.
I have been going to these markets for years, becoming a second home for me. These markets are an essential supply line for my most ambitious (and my laziness) Asian cooking nights. Not that generic supermarket section.
You will need the freshest possible ingredients while also shopping for authenticity and variety for your next stir fry, curry, or dumpling night, and for that, you will need to know these markets. Here is my best attempt at a personalized foodie guide to the very best! of Asian markets here in Dublin.
The Undisputed Giant: Asia Market (Drury Street)
If you are looking for the best, famous and centrally located Asian Market in Dublin, this is going to be your starting point. On the famous Drury Street (Dublin 2)(near George’s Arcade), the Asia Market’s famous bright yellow shop front is hard to miss, even if the actual entrance looks deceptively small. Don’t be deceived! Once you enter, however, the space expands into a large, multi-leveled treasure-trove. It is both bustling and slightly overwhelming, yet great fun.
This market is all-in-one, with over 3,000 different kinds of commodities from numerous countries such as China, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia. This is where you will get stocked up … I always pick up their giant bags of Thai- or Jasmine rice and large bottles of excellent quality soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oils. They are cheaper and of better quality than the supermarkets normally carry.
The Freezer Section is a destination all on its own. I can never leave without at least a bag of frozen dumplings (gyoza, bao buns, or spring rolls), but also some quality tofu and tempeh. Seriously, they have some of the cheapest tofu in Dublin!
Even before you hit the main aisles, take a peek at their hot counter at the front of the store. They regularly sell fresh Asian snacks, like bao buns (I love the BBQ pork ones!), or rice balls, which are quite convenient for fueling the shopping trip.
My go-to? Silken Tofu, for spicy Mapo Tofu or a comforting soft tofu stew, and a Lao Gan Ma jar (you know, the one with the face on the chili crisp). You absolutely need this in your life! The Asia Market is a Dublin staple since 1981, when the Pau family started it. It is of reliable quality and a huge variety.
The Korean K-Food Specialist: Han Sung Asian Market
For a more focused, country-specific dive, you just have to go visit Han Sung Asian Market. It’s where I go when I’m most in the mood for everything K-Food!
This gem is located on Great Strand Street on the Northside of town (a block from the Jervis Luas stop). It’s smaller than the multi-story Asia Market, but it’s presented with great care, focusing on the best Korean and Japanese items. The good news? It tends to have a great, no-frills restaurant or hot-food section in the back.
It’s my go-to absolute for all K-Food. They have an unmatched selection of Gochujang (Korean chili paste)… You can find tubs in any quantity and spice level. They also carry a wonderful range of various Korean ramen brands (way beyond the usual ones you find everywhere), gochugaru (chili flakes), and I’ve even got locally made kimchi here.
The Restaurant Bonus is the extra personal service I love! Reviewers and I rave about the tiny restaurant at the back. You can get a really authentic and affordable meal… imagine plate meals with rice and sides (banchan)… for less than €10. It’s a good option to try real K-food if you’re a first-timer, or just get pumped up before your retail rampage.
My buy-here staples definitely feature a jar of Gochujang (it’s an essential condiment for every modern kitchen) and a box of Jin Ramen (for when only decent-quality instant noodles will do). At 22 Great Strand St, this market is one that any serious Korean cook deserves.
Northside’s Top Stop: Oriental Emporium
An intense competitor on the Northside, the Oriental Emporium is my third top stop. This market offers the same large variety as the Asian Market, but with some valuable specialties that make it worth a visit.
Conveniently located on Abbey Street Upper in Dublin 1, the Oriental Emporium has been one of the stalwarts of the Asian grocery sector since it opened its doors in 1991. Like the others, it’s a high-volume food and grocery supermarket, but while they’ve got all the standard pantry supplies, it’s their fresh produce sections that truly impress me.
The crown jewel here is most assuredly the Butcher and Fishmonger. Oriental Emporium is also particularly renowned for having top-quality, varied fishmongers and butchers in the store. This is completely essential if you are purchasing specific kinds of meat to make Chinese or Southeast Asian dishes, or staples like fish balls, pork bones, and exotic seafood that you simply cannot find elsewhere. Shoppers commonly rave about this place for carrying staples from a gigantic array of cultures, including those less accessible Mauritian cuisine staples.
My absolute buy here is always the specialty frozen meats for a hot pot in a flash, or a good variety of the fish balls and cakes for an incredible noodle soup foundation. If you require quality fresh ingredients for the best and genuine Asian night dinner, the Oriental Emporium is where you need to be.
Before we Wrap up
Asian Market Dublin’s scene is a huge resource to the city’s culinary culture. These stores are not merely stores in which to shop; they are centers of discovery that immediately internationalize your cooking.
Whether you fancy yourself a seasoned Asian kitchen master or a creative cook trying to improve your instant ramen skills, they are where the magic happens. Here, you will truly experience the value, variety, and authentic feel that turns a normal home-cooked meal into something special. Get out there, be bold with your new ingredients, and enjoy the delicious food adventure!
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