One of the first places that Korean people moving to San Diego often look for is a Korean market, right?

These days, you can easily find kimchi or ramen at American grocery stores.

Costco also carries a good selection of Korean foods, and Trader Joe's sells Korean frozen products.

However, when you actually want to make doenjang jjigae and need to find zucchini, tofu, or anchovies for broth, or suddenly crave wrapping pork belly in perilla leaves, it's a different story.

As I've experienced living in the U.S., Korean markets hold more significance for Koreans than just being places to shop. Hearing Korean, seeing familiar ingredients on the shelves, and the sight of Korean snacks piled up next to the checkout counter brings a sense of comfort.

Fortunately, San Diego is a very convenient city for accessing Korean markets.

When talking about the Korean business district in San Diego, one cannot overlook Convoy Street in Kearny Mesa.

Locally, it's often just referred to as Convoy.

While it may not be a neighborhood with endless Korean signs like LA's Koreatown, it is a representative Asian business district in San Diego, featuring Korean restaurants, Korean markets, Japanese eateries, Chinese restaurants, and Vietnamese restaurants.

An interesting fact is that this area was officially designated as an Asian Cultural and Business District by the City of San Diego in 2020.

In 2024, a large CONVOY sign was also installed in the middle of the street.

So, it's not just a neighborhood frequented by Koreans; it's a region recognized for its cultural value in San Diego.

Returning to the topic of grocery shopping, if you're shopping for Korean ingredients in San Diego, you can't skip H Mart.

Especially, the H Mart located at 7725 Balboa Avenue is conveniently close to the Convoy business district, making it easy to eat at a Korean restaurant and then shop.

It has everything from pork for kimchi stew to beef for bulgogi, tteokbokki rice cakes, various vegetables, and seasonings.

Inside the store, there's also a dining area, making it a great place to grab a quick meal while shopping.

I often go there to chat with local ladies or meet friends for a meal.

There's also an H Mart at 9440 Mira Mesa Boulevard. If you live in Mira Mesa or Sorrento Valley, it's a good option to use this location without having to go all the way to Convoy.

Zion Market has long been a familiar name in the San Diego Korean community.

The current store address is 8330 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard.

At Zion Market, you can purchase Korean vegetables and fruits, meat, fish, as well as various side dishes and ready-to-eat meals.

There's also a Paris Baguette at the same address, making it convenient to buy bread or coffee after shopping.

Personally, I think part of the fun of visiting Korean markets is browsing the discounted items.

When Korean fruits or ingredients that are usually expensive go on sale, I can't help but pick up an extra one.

Of course, it's hard to say definitively which is cheaper between H Mart and Zion Market. Prices vary depending on the items and sales events.

Near Convoy, there are also large Chinese markets like 99 Ranch Market, and Japanese markets specializing in Japanese foods like Mitsuwa Marketplace and Marukai Market.

You can buy Korean ingredients at H Mart or Zion Market, Japanese curry or udon ingredients at the Japanese market, and Chinese sauces and spices at 99 Ranch.

This is the charm of the Convoy business district in San Diego. It's not just a place for Korean culture; various Asian cultures blend together naturally.

What I recommend is not to settle on just one market from the start, but to explore both H Mart and Zion Market.

Even the same Korean ingredients can have different prices or discounted items, and there are also differences in vegetables, meats, and side dishes.

Parking at the shopping center can get crowded after weekend lunches, so if possible, it's better to shop on weekdays or in the morning.

San Diego doesn't have a massive Koreatown like LA.

However, knowing the Convoy area can help you find a good portion of what you need, from Korean ingredients to dining and cafes.