Finding Korean ingredients in Phoenix is easier than you might think. Let me break it down for you.

First, H Mart. It's a leading chain of Korean markets across the United States. There is an H Mart in the Phoenix metro area.

To be precise, it's located at H Mart Mesa, not in downtown Phoenix, but customers from the entire metropolitan area, including Phoenix, Chandler, Gilbert, and Scottsdale, come here.

The biggest feature is the wide variety of Korean food available. They have everything from kimchi and various side dishes to Korean ramen, frozen dumplings, rice cakes, sauces, snacks, and drinks, comparable to a large Korean supermarket. In the meat section, you can easily find bulgogi meat and pork belly, and the seafood section offers a variety of fish and seafood that are hard to find in regular American markets.

Another advantage is that you can buy not only Korean ingredients but also Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Thai ingredients all in one place. This attracts not only Koreans but also local Americans and various Asian residents.

Inside the store, there is a food court and bakery, so you can enjoy a Korean meal after shopping. They often sell dishes like sundubu jjigae, jajangmyeon, and tonkatsu, making it a popular spot for those craving Korean food.

In the past, Koreans in Phoenix had to visit several small markets to buy Korean ingredients, but since H Mart opened, most shopping can be done in one trip.

As a result, many Koreans cite H Mart's opening as "one of the most welcomed changes after settling in Phoenix."

Especially for families who have just immigrated from Korea, it can be the easiest place to find the tastes of home.

You can find a wide range of Korean ingredients, from basic seasonings like doenjang and soy sauce to frozen dumplings, various kimchi, rice cakes, ramen, and snacks.

Second, Lee Lee International Supermarket. This is a well-known Asian market among locals in Phoenix.

It has several locations in Tempe and other areas. The Korean food section is quite large, and they also carry Chinese, Japanese, Southeast Asian, and Indian ingredients.

Third, small markets operated by Koreans. There are small Korean grocery stores run by Koreans throughout the Phoenix metro area.

While they may not be large, they are useful for finding fresh kimchi, Korean side dishes, and holiday food items. Some places allow you to reserve ingredients for holiday meals in advance.

To add, if I may speak casually, compared to Koreatowns in LA or New York, the variety of items is naturally less. However, you can still make basic Korean dishes. So, if you're craving Korean food in Phoenix, don't worry; you can find a solution at Lee Lee or H Mart to some extent!