After reading an NZ Herald article about the ethnic grocery stores of Auckland I figured it was…read moretime to really see what Glenfield had to offer in the way of Korean supermarkets. Hanyang is super easy to get to just off the motorway, directly on Wairau road, and has an easy parking lot. It not only has a supermarket, but also a hair salon, eyeware stand, clothing store and 2 food stalls (which weren't open on Sunday). The supermarket also included a stand with prepared Korean side dishes, a Korean veggie stand, as well as a Korean butcher. It is helpful to know that these stands act in silo of the supermarket so you need to pay at each individual counter (this is standard practice in most Korean supermarkets in Auckland). The offering of imported Korean products had all the usual suspects plus a few more that I hadn't seen else where. Price was very reasonable compared to other Korean shops and the staff were super friendly. I was greeted in English just fine and when they realized I could speak Korean switched with comfort and ease. I decided to do a tour of 3 other Korean supermarkets in Glenfield to compare and Hanyang definitely wins on location, quality of veggies, and friendliness of staff. Will definitely be going back!

Mr Lim's is a Glen Innes institution with the locals. There is a huge number of people who go…read morethrough here to buy fresh fruit and veges, so the turn over is high and the produce is always fresh. It is also pretty much cheapest price around that area - much cheaper and fresher than supermarket down the road. They also have a range of different Asian greens and specialty Asian grocery items which you don't really find that much in the surrounding area. The meat they stock is well priced, fresh and 'nice' according to my mother (as a vegetarian I don't really have an opinion on the taste of it, but I'm sure its great). The girls at the counter are delightful, who remember your face and are always super friendly. Parking is easy and they are part of the AA petrol discount scheme, which is even more incentive to visit. Don't expect to find anything organic or free-range here, but if price is the bottom line for you then Lim's is the place to go.

Saffron is one of the most expensive spices on earth, however I have discovered it is one of the…read moremost inexpensive spice and bulk food stores in town. Saffron Foods in Henderson came recommended by my auntie, then I discovered my Indian friends frequented it and so I had to pop in to see what all the fuss was about. Now I am a fan. I find the selection of spices to be amazing, they have the star anise and the cinnamon sticks, different coloured mustard seeds and variations of paprika and chili powder. My spice rack is fragrantly filled to the brim thanks to Saffron Foods. When here I cannot resist the bulk bins with everything from coconut threads to almonds, here's a secret they have the best bargains on almonds in this store. There is a lot of Indian, Pacific Island and other ethnic food, like bags of small dried fish which my girls found disgustingly smelly. To the rear of the store are pots and other cooking implements. Super friendly staff who are really helpful pointing you to the right direction.

What a great market to stock up your pantry. This place has every spice and nut you could wish for…read morein a bulk bin at a much lower price than any supermarket. They also sell saffron for $10 a gram. It is from Kashmir and from what I could tell it is a long good quality saffron. Also the selection of Indian groceries is fantastic. I bought several packages of Mother's sauces and maked one which was just delicious (the bf rate if better than take out). They even have Indian cooking utensils, kebab skewers and serving dishes.

I'll admit I used to be a bit afraid of Tai Ping. Mainly because the carpark is a terrifying place…read moreand you could lose your life. Really, the driving here is shocking. The shop itself though has just got better and better over the last few years and now is a really great general supermarket that has bargain prices and exotic products. There's more noodles than anyone could ever want to eat and rice, dried beans and condiments galore. The flavour pastes and fresh produce are my favourites here and there's also a smattering of foodstalls on one side that make Asian snacks; my favourite being the pancakes. I'm also partial to a bit of Plum Wine and this place has it, along with Asian beers etc. And I still just can't help but marvel over all the crazy dried funghi, fish innards and the like that are so foreign to me - I got to say it, these days Auckland has pretty much every curious food ingredient available which can only be a good thing.

Amazing variety of well, everything. Super cheap veggies & fruits, I got avocados for $0.69…read moreyesterday! The shop is massive and super tidy, you might struggle to get a park but it's definitely worth a small effort. Love it!

This place is huge and newly opened on the shore. Basically an Asian supermarket, stocked with the…read morefamiliar and unfamiliar. Handy if you're after a specific ingredient for a special meal. The meat section is a bit offputting to the unadventurous, and the live fish tanks too (not a fan of eels). But you're safe up and down the aisles and in the large freezer section. Spotted cheap Chinese spoons, bargain at 25c each for the next dinner party.

This place might not look like much from the outside and you may have driven past it, if you live…read morein the area, and wondered what it is. Well if you want spices, nuts, flour, herbal stuff, organic stuff, naan bread, roti, legumes, and all at really good prices, then this is the place for you. They have nearly every nut you can think of, almonds, cashews, hazelnut, coconut, brazil nut, pistachio, small bags, medium bags, large bags, whole, blanched, ground, sliced. Looking for flour but not any ordinary flour, come here, they have gluten free - rice, potatoe, amaranth, buckwheat, Urid, soy, spelt, corn - I'm pretty sure if you are looking for it they will have it. I really could go on and on with a massive list of everything they stock here, but you really need to go and see for yourself. I would personally travel to go and stock up here. Also check out their website for recipes and information on benefits of spices in your diet.

Our school is beyond grateful for the very generous donation of fruit that has been collected today…read morefrom the store, for a fundraising event that is being held at Kōwhai Intermediate School. It is amazing to see a local businesses giving back to the community (especially during tough covid times) and ensuring quality fruits are donated. Could not recommend this store enough! Thankyou very much Glennis, appreciate your very kind gesture!

KC Loos is a bit of an institution in Mt Eden. A family owned fruit and vege store that has been up…read moreand running for generations, my mum moved to Auckland almost 30 years ago and remembers KC Loos being there! It's pretty rare that an independent family owned business would last so long in such a central Auckland location, and that's one of the best things about shopping at KC Loos - you're supporting a good cause and helping maintain a community oriented company. Situated on the corner of Stokes Road and Mt Eden Road, KC Loos is constantly packed with local customers, and I actually know people who used to drive into Mt Eden from out West just to get their groceries from KC Loo - it is that well known for having quality produce! Also very reasonably priced, you can find everything from fresh big broccoli heads to juicy watermelons, mangoes and papaya at KC Loos. Tip: Over summer KC Loos often stock mixed packs of fruits like watermelon, pineapple, mango, and rockmelon which are really cheap and are perfect for picnics and potluck dinners!

The day I discovered Khyber Spice Invader was the day I decided to never buy packet spices again. I…read morewas so completely astounded at how cheap spices are when you buy in bulk that I was sent into a blind rage. What the hell, Gregg's? Why do you charge $3-5 for a small box of spices when Khyber Spice Invader can sell me the same amount for 10 or 20 cents? Here's a tip - head out to your local $2 shop, buy up a huge number of tiny sealable containers and a packet of stickers, then go and stock up on every single spice you've ever used or wanted. I guarantee you won't spend more than $10 doing so at Khyber Spice Invader. While you're there you can also choose from a range of Indian vegetables, curry bases and sauces, all cheap as well. Worth the trip out to the suburbs, every time!

A great Korean grocery store with a small food stall inside. The store is very well maintained by…read moretheir friendly staff and the food they serve at the stall is reasonably priced. I came for the first time about ten years ago and the store hasn't changed since then (in a good way, of course.) Every staff member I encountered at the store was friendly and made me want to come back. I ordered Kimbap (Korean sushi) with ham and dried pollock soup at the stall. Kimbap was very flavorful with a perfect amount of rice and it was absolutely delicious! The dried pollock soup really hit the spot as I wasn't feeling 100% and needed some comfort food. It's got some rehydrated dried fish (pollock), vegetables, eggs and tofu and drizzled with sesame oil. I'll definitely come back to have some more delicious food!

On a whim, I decided to check out as many Korean supermarkets that I could find in Glenfield. I…read morestopped after I found Wang Foodmarket, a little bit b/c I was tired but mostly b/c this place ticks all the boxes. I cannot be sure but the quality of the premises looks very new and shiny. It has the layout of regular supermarket like a Countdown or New World, except all the shelves are lined with products from the homeland and K-POP is playing in the background. The aisles are wide and uncluttered so it is easy to navigate your trolley through the store. Their general selection, butcher and frozen sections deserve special mention. Also, of all the stores I went to today, Wang Foodmarket has the lowest prices. The quality of their veggies and side dish selection was a bit average but they are doing so many other things right I can overlook it and still give 5 stars. Most ethnic supermarkets are notorious for being stuffed to the brim a bit haphazardly to a point of making them intimidating. Wang Foodmarket really overcomes that to make it your adventure shopping enjoyable again.