Many Korean newcomers to Sacramento often ask, "Is it okay to cook Korean food here?"

Since it's not like LA or SF where Korean markets are scattered everywhere, they worry about having to drive a long way just to buy gochujang.

However, once you look around, Sacramento is better than expected. While it may not have the overwhelming choices like LA, it's not inconvenient for making kimchi stew, marinating bulgogi, or stocking up on ramen and frozen dumplings.

To properly shop for Korean ingredients, the first place to know is KP International Market in Rancho Cordova.

It's a bit east of downtown Sacramento, but if you frequently cook Korean food, it's a great place to stock up in one trip.

Don't think of it as just a small neighborhood Korean market. The store is about 80,000 square feet. It's an international market that carries not only Korean products but also Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Mexican, and European foods, with a significant portion dedicated to Korean products. They also carry Korean brands like Samyang, Baeksul, and Pulmuone.

What's important for Koreans is what they can buy. You can find the basics like rice, ramen, gochujang, doenjang, soy sauce, seaweed, snacks, and frozen foods, as well as meat, fish, and vegetable sections. It's quite convenient for those who want to shop for various items, not just Korean food.

Interestingly, there's even a food court inside the market. They sell not only Korean food but also Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Mexican dishes, so you can shop and grab a meal at the same time. The store is currently open daily from 8 AM to 9 PM.

If you're also looking for Chinese or other Asian ingredients, it's good to know about 99 Ranch Market on Florin Road.

It's a large Asian market familiar to Koreans, where you can conveniently buy vegetables, fruits, tofu, noodles, sauces, frozen foods, and seafood all in one place.

It's especially useful when you need to buy Asian vegetables or fish that are hard to find in regular American supermarkets.

If you often use Japanese ingredients, Oto's Marketplace on Freeport Boulevard is also a good option.

It's a Japanese specialty market that has been operating in Sacramento for over 65 years and also carries some Korean, Chinese, and Taiwanese products. It's well-known for fish, sushi ingredients, Japanese sauces, noodles, and rice. They also sell ready-to-eat foods like bento and sushi.

So, once you actually live here, your shopping habits will naturally develop. On days when you need to buy a lot of Korean food, you go to KP and stock up, while on regular days, you can use the nearby Asian markets or American supermarkets. Nowadays, it's easier to find products like seaweed, frozen dumplings, and Korean sauces at Costco, Trader Joe's, and regular American markets, so you don't have to buy everything from the Korean market.

If you go around Stockton Boulevard and Florin Road, there are several Vietnamese and Chinese markets where you can easily find ingredients like bean sprouts, chives, napa cabbage, tofu, and Asian noodles that are commonly used in Korean cooking. Locals also tend to use KP, 99 Ranch, Oto's, and various small Asian markets in the area based on their needs.

However, if you expect it to be just like LA's Koreatown, you might be disappointed. It's not the kind of environment where you have a Korean market right in front of your house and can easily visit side dish shops, rice cake shops, and Korean bakeries in succession. The desired Korean brands aren't always available, and fresh items like perilla leaves or specific herbs may not be in stock depending on the situation.

Still, there's no need to worry that you can't eat Korean food in Sacramento. As long as you familiarize yourself with where and what to buy, living here won't be a big issue. You can buy plenty of Korean food at KP once or twice a month and use the nearby Asian markets and American markets for everyday needs.

In summary, the Korean food experience in Sacramento can be described like this: it's not as convenient as having everything solved right near your home like in LA, but if you're used to living in the suburbs of America with a car, it's a city where you can easily prepare a Korean meal.