While there’s a concentration in Chinatown and certain suburbs, it’s easier than ever to find authentic Asian ingredients right across Sydney.
Although there’s overlap between produce used in different Asian cuisines, even basic ingredients – like soy sauce and fish sauce – have subtle differences from one region to another. So, if you can, it’s worth sourcing ingredients from the same country as the cuisine you’re cooking. Here’s where to buy Asian ingredients in Sydney – get shopping then try the simple tofu via recipe in the video below.
Chinatown (Haymarket)
Haymarket became the centre of Sydney’s Chinese community in the 1920s. Today it’s a vibrant and exciting area to eat, shop and sightsee. Thai Kee IGA, above Paddy’s Market in Market City, is my go-to for a wide range of Asian groceries. Nearby, in World Square, is Gong Grocer, operated by the next generation of the former owners of Thai Kee.
Thai (Campbell St, Haymarket)
With the influx of immigrants from south east Asia in the late 20th century, Chinatown expanded to include a dedicated ‘Thai-natown’ along its eastern fringe near the corner of Campbell & Pitt Streets. Here Pontip and Jarern Chai are my first stop for ingredients for Thai recipes. You’ll also often find many of the herbs needed for Vietnamese dishes here.
Vietnamese (Cabramatta, Little Saigon)
In Sydney, Cabramatta is the place to immerse yourself in Vietnamese culture and shop for the widest range of Vietnamese ingredients. My favourite shop there is Eastland Supermarket at 109 John St in Cabramatta (pictured above). Owner Thai Tran has been supplying most of Sydney’s top Vietnamese restaurants with fresh produce and specialty goods for many years. He has a good range of cooking equipment and servingware too.
Japanese (Tokyomart)
Tokyomart in Northbridge Plaza is Sydney’s one-stop Japanese grocer with a good range of frozen goods, beverages and sweets as well, plus some cooking and serving ware. If you’re after a hanigiri (wooden tub) or uchiwa (fan) for making sushi rice, head into your nearest Daiso store. They have a great range of traditional cookware and servingware as well as popular Japanese sweets, drinks, groceries and fun cultural kitsch.
Chatswood (Sydney’s Second Chinatown)
Chatswood has evolved into Sydney’s second Chinatown – a handy place for north shore residents to find Asian food, especially Chinese. Asian City Supermarket, downstairs beside Chatswood Chase, offers a great range of groceries and fresh produce. Across the road, Winsure has some of Sydney’s finest Chinese BBQ. Nearby in North Willoughby, Horyen Supermarket also has a good range, as well as a butcher shop.
While it’s a great cultural immersion to visit suburbs with a large Asian population – like Ashfield, Bankstown, Cabramatta, Chatswood, Epping and Marrickville – there are also a growing number of Asian supermarkets conveniently located across Sydney’s suburbs including:
Updated 19 April 2025
