Seoul Asian Food Market & Cafe

I’ve been coming to this korean market for many years, long before I joined Unilocal.The staff is always very friendly and willing to help if you are confused on items or looking for a specific korean item. They have the most diverse korean options here compared to any place I’ve gone to in San Antonio. You can find fresh produce to exotic ingredients like jelly fish to other Non korean Asian snacks. They have a food area in back where you can order food (pay at cashier and take ticket to the ladies in back). I’ve eaten here about 3 – 4 times and it was ok. They have house hold items and music/​DVDs that they obviously burn (they have 3 – 4 PC towers up front) but hey to each their own. It’s a great place that has been around for many years. I will gladly make a delicious yuk gae yang tomorrow thanks to them.

In my opinion if you want the best authentic tasting Korean food in Sam Antonio the Seoul Asian market has that! I travelled to Korean last year September and the food was phenomenal along with the products you could get and this place has it all! The market is full of different ranges of foods from Korea like fruits and vegetables to beauty products, coffee and much more. There prices can seem high to some but when you take into consideration shilling from Korea to the store I have to say the prices are fair compared to buying it on amazon and paying for shipping. I love to come here to grab maxim coffee, seaweed, side dishes, rice, and even snacks.
The food is delicious! Today I had the Korean seafood pancake which is huge! And pork bugolgi. I love that I received and well variety of kimchi side dishes and of course a bowl of rice. My friend got the steam dumpling and the chicken fried rice. I can only comment on the steam dumplings and they were all made and cooked perfectly with an even amount of filling inside. When you want to eat at the restaurant you place you order with the cashier and take you slip to the cook. You grab your utensils and napkins off the counter there and the cooks will place your order and call it out when ready.
If you want good Korean food come here or if you want ingredients to cook it at home come here. Just come here for your Korean needs haha

I was stoked to find an Asian Market in SA, which offers such an extensive variety of products. Not to mention, there’s a café inside. They have everything you could want: fresh produce, candy, treats, ramen, snacks, meats, soda and non-​edibles, such as electronics and other things.
The aisles almost seem to be coming at you with product. There’s no way to take it all in on the first visit. To not overwhelm myself I stuck to my normal go-to’s. Got my cracker snacks, super spicy ramen and gimbap. Looking forward to going back.
Café area is pretty small and is a seems a bit chaotic during lunch time. I intended to eat-​in, but decided to just grab gimbap and go.

I went on a Sunday with my son to visit this market. It is very big and has ALOT of different products. I was very happy with all of the produce they have to offer there. Prices were good and staff was friendly. This has now become my favorite Asian market.

Food was great at the little café. Very authentic. Loved the market as well. Will go back

Pretty much the biggest Korean grocery store in town. Choices are very limited in San Antonio. The vegetable section is usually stocked pretty well but beware of their dry goods. I think they’ve been sitting there a while and if you don’t check the expiration date you could be going home with an expired product or near expiring product. In the 8 items that I bought that day, 2 were past expiration. I didn’t know I had to check the expiration dates so carefully. I was immediately tipped off when I opened the dry seaweed that I purchased that night and it reeked of old oil. Yep, it was expired. The I checked the rice cake soup and that was too. I should’ve gone back to the store but it’s quite the distance from our place, about a 30 minute drive. I decided it wasn’t worth it. Oh well.

This review is based on the Café that is located in the back of the market. I was missing Asian food and needed my fix. First, if anyone has been to Asian markets in SoCal, it is not uncommon to find restaurants/​cafes in markets. I felt like I was in LA as soon as I sat down. I had the bibimbap and pork bulgogi and it was really good. Prices are great and they have an extensive menu from Tofu soup to Kimchi Fried Rice to Ja Jia Mein.

Once you figure out the ordering process, you can’t stop coming back! One of my friends brought me to Seoul Market for lunch and I was very pleased. The prices are lower than most Korean restaurants around and the food is authentic and tasty. Our favorites are the spicy seafood Ramen and the stone bowl bibimbap. Lunch rush can get crazy here so make sure you have enough time, but overall food is great. Not much seating either… so be prepared for the possibility of running out of seating as well. When you are done, grab some yummy ice cream out of the freezer up front!

LOVE LOVE LOVEE this market! The young lady there is so sweet first off which makes you feel just that much more welcome. It was a good size market and had everything I needed and more. I am definitley coming back here and next time I hope I am early enough to try the café.

I arrived just before closing and ordered stone pot bimbinbop, beef bulgolgi and rice cake soup with dumplings. The food came out hot and was very delicious. I was very pleased with how quick food came out. If your not looking for anything fancy and want good food, this is a place to get a good Korean meal.

Horrendous smell, and food is truly disgusting. Not for everyone but if you’re brave enough to eat there, then go ahead. Wouldn’t recommend it to no one nor go there again.

Café is open only from Monday to Sat 10 am– 7 pm. Disappointed bec we came here for the food on Sunday. Sorry, can’t say much about their food.
The market is huge though, clean and nice.

We visited here for the first time. My parents both had the shrimp fried rice. They really wanted Korean BBQ short ribs (kalbi) but the young lady at the cash register said they are currently not serving it because it’s too expensive to make at the moment. Maybe beef prices are up? The shrimp fried rice was good but very greasy. I had the bibimbap. This was tasty but I do wish it was served with just a little more veggies and meat. Our order came with three small bowls of seaweed soup. This was tasty. There is limited seating in the dining area.
If you want to order you can grab a menu and place your order at the cash register at the front of the store. After paying at the cash register you bring the ticket to the food area and hand it to the people behind the counter. When you are done you can stack all the empty dishes on the tray your meal came on and place it on the counter. The store itself has nice wide aisles and looks very clean. They have a nice selection of produce, frozen food and other grocery products. Their produce looked very fresh. The kimchi here is really good but the ones they sell in the jar does contain MSG. I wish it didn’t. The bathroom had no toilet paper and no back up toilet paper in sight.

This market has homemade Korean food and it’s super cheap. You should try their food which is pretty okay. The inside looks clean. But still, cheap price can’t ask for more comparing at the real Korean restaurant, food is better.

The best Korean food in San Antonio! Love the fact that you can shop and have lunch in the same place.

The market is great, but I can’t say the same for the café. :(I ordered the beef and vegetable soup and it was very bland. The broth had no flavor and the soup does NOT come with beef. We had no idea that we had to pick up after ourselves once we were done eating so we got scolded after our meal. I don’t have a problem picking up after myself, but I had no idea that was the protocol at this café. No need to be so rude to your customers! Probably not going back. Koreana is awesome and it’s right around the corner! Plus this place closes at 7pm.

Supermarket selection is appropriate for size of a small/​medium establishment. Their alcohol selection was surprisingly limited. Maybe they forgot that koreans like to drink. ;)
The food area is on the side. Very large menu with pictures is on the back wall to help those unfamiliar with korean dishes, or indecisive about their options.
Food came out quickly, and was reasonably priced. If you’re in need for a quick korean fix and don’t care about ambience, this place is for you.
Tip: You order up front at the check out stand, and bring your ticket back to the food counter where the ahjummahs will start to make your order.

I’ve been here twice in the past year. I’ve now had both the beef and the pork bulgogi. I like the pork better — it’s very soft and quite delicious. Beef is also great. Each time I’ve gotten a big bowl of rice and 5 dishes of, I believe it’s called, banchan. These included kimchi, another non-​vinegar cabbage dish, pickled mild peppers I think, pickled squid and noodles and squash sliced like cucumbers.
What’s odd is that the price on the bulgogi has gone up almost 50%, to $ 11.99 and the price on the galbi (beef ribs) has remained $ 9.99. The reverse of typical. I think the ribs are a smaller serving to start with and are much less popular. Still, at $ 12 it’s a good deal. There’s a spicy flounder I think I’ll try next time for $ 12.99 or maybe the galbi. And they serve huge bowls of soup, some beef-​based and so very hot! The soups all seemed to be $ 8. I wished I’d asked what this woman near me got, it was piled high with meat. I mean, rounded out of the bowl high and actually bubbling in the bowl.
The service and ordering you can read about here. It’s easy — but they were out of the melon soda I had last time. I had an orange/​passion fruit can that was very mildly tasty. Not thick like you’d expect.
Great meal — no way around it. The seating area was full when we arrived at 11:45am — with one 4-​person table left — the one the lady cooks sit at when eating. Of course, I gave them a small bow and a sincere thank-​you when dropping off my tray.

If you want to order delicious food from the kitchen, the cashier at the front cash register will write up the ticket for you to take to the kitchen in the back (you pay up front). Don’t forget to buy some drinks to enjoy with your meal. We ordered several things, Bibimbop was okay, but Kimchi pancake (will definitely try seafood pancake next time), steamed dumplings were very good, especially soft tofu stew was amazing! Overall it was a great experience, yummy/​fast food and vast varieties of Asian groceries to choose from.

Went here with my friend from Taiwan. He said this was pretty close to the real thing in Korea. The price was a little high, but they were big portions. The food had a good flavor and you get good portions. You get your drink from the store.

I’m a Seoul Man!
When I wanna go Gangnam Style, I go here. This is hands down, the best Korean supermarket in San Antonio! There’s a little Korea going on over on this side of town. There’s quite a few good places to go to get your Korean fix.
This is an extensive supermarket. They’ve got fresh food, produce, frozen food like fish and shrimp. They’ve got a lot of canned foods, tea, and other strange ingredients that you’d never think you need until you see them.
I’ve always loved the Korean spice palate, and go here to get my pepper pastes. Good stuff.
There’s a small kitchen in the rear corner of the store staffed by a Korean grandma who knows how to cook! The prices are quite reasonable, and she slings up some delicious food– you’d think you were on your way to Panmunjom.
The selection here is huge. They’ve got multiple brands of things that places like Central Market would only have one of. The place is amazing. I highly recommend stopping by for a bite to eat for lunch, or to just stock up on teas, noodles, and anything Korean you need.
I’ve never quite understood the CDs and DVDs that they have. They’ve got a huge selection, but I can’t read Korean, so I don’t know what kinds of stuff they have, but they have a bunch of them. If you’re into K-​Pop, this might just be a diamond in the rough.

Affordable and authentic food. I usually go for the kimchi soup and mackerel. I haven’t tried the bulogi or kalbi yet.
Quick and easy food in a Korean market. Don’t expect a fine dining experience. Mostly self serve.
Definitely recommend of you’re looking for a cheap and quick meal.

I really loved this place! They have so many great products in the grocery section. My mouth was watering at all the snacks and candy. The small dining area in the back is a hidden gem. First thing first, order at the front of the store at the registers. I was an idiot looking around at the giant menu wondering where I order. I saw a military guy come in and order and was like ooooohhhh. I had the pork bulgogi and it was served sizzling on a skillet with many sides and seaweed rather than lettuce/​cabbage leaves. It was so good I literally cleaned my plate. I also got some kimbab to taste and take for dinner. It was so delicious and much more than I though I would get originally. I so want to go back and try more of their options. I seriously suggest anyone who wants to try Korean food or enjoy Korean food, come here for great food.

Portions seemed small. I left hungry, and I think everyone else did too. The food is decent (my Asian in laws loved it, I’m not big on Korean). The food seemed overpriced for being a hole in the wall, marketplace type «restaurant» with small portions. I’m sure we will eat here again since they like authentic Korean.

This has to be the BEST Korean food I’ve ever had. It is absolutely amazing! The flavors will exceed your expectations and their portions make you feel like a king.
Bulgogi and Korean pancake: cannot go wrong!

For authentic Korean food, I believe this is the BEST bargain in San Antonio. With soup meals starting at $ 6, (including sides), I have enjoyed vegetable beef soup and beef bulgogi.
It is in the corner of a Korean Grocery store.

I have a Korean stepmother that I have not seen in many years. When my dad passed away many years ago, she took her children and my Korean half-​sister and moved back to South Korea. We slowly lost touch over the years. But my visit to Seoul Oriental Food Market today with my wife brought me back 25+ years to the fantastic food my Korean stepmother made when we visited my dad at an Air Force base in New Jersey. The Kimchi is excellent. I bought two jars from the market refrigerator! The Kimchi stew came to the counter boiling violently in the bowl and smelling heavenly. The Kimchi pancake was my wife’s favorite. Just the right spice and flavor. I remembered back to my father pulling out his black laquered, pearl inlaid chopsticks from a case in his inside coat pocket, and deftly eating the feast placed in front of us by Oki. I was so amazed that my dad could use a set of chopsticks better than any American I had ever seen use chopsticks. I guess his 8+ years stationed in Korea had taught him a lot. And he had married an outstanding Korean wife who cooked with flair. That was my first taste of pungent, spicy, delicious Kimchi. I had that memory flash back again today when eating at Seoul Food Market. We will be back!

On this cold and rainy day, many are probably craving some hot tortilla soup, or in New Orleans – some seafood gumbo or a big bowl of red beans and rice. But I had kimchi soup on my mind.
The backstory: I have never eaten Korean food before and I have enjoyed the pics from Stephen C and others from Koreana Restaurant. Being the cheapskate I am, I knew I probably wouldn’t be going there in the near future. However, a friend told me about this place in the back of the market with full meals in the $ 6 – 7.00 range. I had to try it.
What to try: Thanks to Elieena E from Houston and her professional, extensive pics of every dish on the menu and the menu board, it was easy to come to a decision. Today it would be the kimchi stew in a boiling hot bowl/​pot with rice and banchan (all the pickled sides).
I bought a melon soda (with natural sugar) from the front and ordered and paid for my meal there. I have never had a bowl of soup remain so hot even with the last bite. What an experience. I’m still trying to decide whether I like the whole banchan thing or not. There was some tofu, kimchi, spicy tofu, nori/​dried seaweed (still don’t know why that was there. no sushi around), and my favorite banchan was pickled squid I believe.
The dishes here come from the safe to the «Offal» (its when you really don’t want to know all the organs in the bowl :). There is fish roe, tendons, and tripe etc. Everything is clearly written on the menu board in Korean and English.
Someone said to try the Korean short ribs next.
eats:
— kimchi stew/​soup with rice and pickled sides (banchan)
— pickled spicy Korean fermented cabbage (kimchi) and tofu in a delicious minimally spicy tomato broth: tangy, crunchy, savory, and light yet rich. The banchan that came was kimchi, spicy tofu, dried nori (seaweed), and pickled squid. You know, I didn’t find any of these earth shaking. The kimchi really wasn’t too spicy or overly flavorful. The soup was so satisfying.
— buys:
— melon soda $.99, had the word sangria on it, tasted like a wine soda like the Mexican Sangria soda, Senorial. Good, not too sweet.
— crown peach chews $.99, like hi chews, very fruity intense flavor.
— chang gu honey dipped snack $ 1.99. These are basically cereals in a bag, just look for the savory ones to avoid buying a sweet one.
— wang roasted chestnuts $ 2.99. they say roasted, but they always seem boiled to me, not as good as the ones I find at the Filipino grocery, nuts still in half cracked shells, lacked flavor of the ones at the Filipino store (Chockdee).
takeouts:
— please tip nice ladies doing the cooking
— store pretty crowded and stuff piled everywhere
— lots of cakes and pastries near register
— one of the Unilocalers took some nice pics of all the dishes including the full menu. Study it before you go in.

Great selection of Asian items. Although, a few of the items we purchased were old and stale. It’s wise to check the expiration dates.
Service, however, was extremely rude. I felt like my money was not good there. It may have only been the kid working the register.
I may go back to try the restaurant.

I’m updating this review for customer service. The folks here have been so kind to my mother-​in-​law. Relocating to SATX has been tough for her. The staff has made her feel welcomed every time she comes and better about living in SA. They always take time to answer her numerous questions and help her in any way. I appreciate that so much!
And that spicy squid dish calls to me every time! I think I may be addicted by now. As long as that’s on the menu, I’ll be a frequent visitor.
Come give this place a try, y’all!

It’s like being in a super-​sized Korean mom and pop store!
If you’re thinking Lotte Mart you will be disappointed. But if you’ve been in those small mom and pop stores in Korea, this place send scent memories of kimchi, garlic, and spicy red pastes directly into your brain. But, oh, wait a second, those aren’t just memories, those are REAL scents because this place has a full-​blown Korean restaurant in the back.
OK, so this place has all your Korean essentials. You have your bean pastes, and ginger — your cans of mystery meat, and aisles of dehydrated noodles. If you need mandu (Korean gyoza) or TV dramas like Winter Sonata featuring Bae Yong-​Joon, this place will hook you up. From cheap Korean pots and pans, tabletop roasters, and clay pots for your homemade bibimbap, Seoul Oriental Food Market has got you sorted.
In addition to all that, you also get an authentic Korean cheap-​eats restaurant in the back. You have your Korean «pancakes,» soups, mandu, and assorted rice dishes. I sure wish I had eaten here because it smelled fantastic. I’m certain this restaurant will provide me a meal in the very near future.
Whether you’re looking for authentic Korean sundry items, food items, sweets, vegetables, or just some really thinly sliced meat for a hot pot, get yourself to Seoul Oriental Food Market!

This is a Korean market, but it’s also a restaurant! There is a small, (very) casual restaurant to the right corner of the market. I’ll start with the restaurant and work my way to the market itself.
Here’s how it works. Walk to the back of the restaurant and you’ll see the giant menu– basically, a wall full of food pictures and its prices. Pick something, go up to the front register and order/​pay upfront. Take the order card they give you and give it to the nice lady behind the cooking station. Everything is self-​served, so go get yourself some little water, gather your utensils, and sit your butt down. When your food is ready, she’ll call it out, you pick it up, and begin feeding yourself. If you want more side dishes, ask nicely, and maybe they will give you some extra. After you’re done, clean your messy self up, and place the tray back to the counter, smile and say thank you to the nice ladies. Respect your elders, children. Seriously, it’s the Korean way.
The food is authentic, delicious, and affordable. The kimchi fried rice and the kimchi soup is very tasty. I’m definitely looking forward to going back and trying the La-​bok-​ee (spicy rice cake & noodles), dwenjang soup (bean paste soup), and all other amazing looking dishes posted on the wall. YUM.
As for the market— it’s definitely no H-​Mart (those of you who are familiar. understands), but I like it. It’s small but it has everything you need. Also, their kimchi (in the back fridge, of various sized jars) is freaking fantastic. Sometimes I eat rice & kimchi (just that) in the middle of night because I randomly begin to crave the kimchi. Yeah, it’s that good. So definitely grab yourself one of those jars. There’s all different types of noodles, so grab two or six (like I did) of those. No shame, folks. I live off noodles right now. And there’s lots of dumpling variations. Yes, Korean veggie dumpling exists!
You really could just go full-​on grocery shopping here. There are fresh/​various produce, meats, fish, not just Korean, but other Asian brand foods, drinks (and soju!), bread, prepared side dishes, lots of Asian snacks (cookies, candies, sweets) and Asian canned/​boxed goods.
Stop by for a quick lunch or pick up some kimchi.
Tip: The restaurant portion closes at 7pm, so call ahead for a pick-​up order.