Where to buy hard-to-find international food products in Beijing

A little effort can uncover plenty of culinary inspiration

Whether you're cooking your favourite foods from home or recreating flavours inspired by a recent vacation, international ingredients are not always easy to find in Beijing. But a little effort can uncover plenty of culinary inspiration. Read on for our top picks on where to scoop up hard-to-find-in-Beijing ingredients from across the globe.

Indian, Pakistani and Turkish

Tucked away in Sanlitun, Foreigner Store stocks a range of Indian, Pakistani and Turkish staples from rice to spice. If you know what you want then their Wechat shop (cyfelaine) is all you need for ordering and delivery. If you want to browse for inspiration then buckle up for an orienteering adventure into parts of Sanlitun you are unlikely to have visited before. 

The shop operates from a humble residential compound, a short walk from Tuanjiehu subway station. Its shelves are stocked with classic Indian spices like fenugreek seed, ajowain, sajeepa and cardamom pods. You can buy rose water, lime pickle, grape leaves and luncheon meats made from turkey and chicken as well as lentils and pulses imported from India. 

If you are a Sanlitun regular, then you have probably walked right past on many occasions. But believe us when we say you're unlikely to find the store without messaging in advance for directions.

Korean

Home Mart in Wangjing is the go-to store among Beijing's large population of Korean families, many of whom live nearby. This supermarket stocks a wide range of Korean oils, noodles and seaweed as well as fresh pickled vegetables including (of course) kimchi. 

You can buy packaged instant meals here such as lentil curry, alongside Korean beef seasoning which is great for home made bulgogi, and canned seafood such as clams. The cold section has a wide selection of Korean soybean milk and even ice cream.

315 Wangjing Xiyuansanqu, Futong Xilu, Chaoyang district.

Japanese

Ito Yokado is a large department store (worth a trip in itself for toys and Japanese kitchenware) with a supermarket section in the basement. Most of the dry goods for sale here are actually Chinese, but the clean lines and organisation of the market deliver a soothing Japanese shopping experience. 

The mochi store out the front is a nice touch, too. There is a selection of Japanese beers, as well as a wide variety of natto – the super healthy (and let's just say it, a very acquired taste) fermented soybeans that the Japanese love for breakfast with mustard and soy sauce. 

Miniature vitamin tonics, instant miso soup and a huge range of kewpie salad dressings unmask this supermarket's Japanese roots. Over in the fresh food section you can pick up pre-packaged sushi and sashimi, an excellent range of fresh meats and choose from a selection of Japanese pickles. Not bad.

108 North 4th Ring East Road, Chaoyang district.

International wet market

The Sanyuanli market is beloved by many across town – this covered market is Chinese at heart but is dotted with international food items, too. When you first enter this long and slender covered alley housing around 140 small food stalls you will be hit by a fabulous range of fruits and vegetables, including fresh herbs, before the market gives way to a full seafood selection. 

Fish and prawns are for sale here as well as many more difficult-to-find creatures including sea anemone, lobster and crab. Next up is meat and chicken and then dry goods including a good variety of Indian spices and sauces as well as harder-tofind treats like truffle oil and tahini. The market ends with a stall selling a range of international cheeses, sauces and mixes.  

8 Zuojiazhuang Xijie, Chaoyang district.

Can't be bothered leaving the house to go shopping? Hit 'Read more' for a list of WeChat accounts for gourmet delivery in Beijing.

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