I grew up in Federal Way, which means I practically grew up on Korean food because Federal Way is where Koreans spawn from the stone jars that have fermented cabbage in them. I wish I were exaggerating, there was like an H-Mart in everybody's backyard. Not that I am complaining. Some of the best Korean restaurants are in Federal Way but I simply can't justify driving an hour there to have Korean food. This is where Southgate comes in and although it's a market and not a restaurant, they make some of the best kimchi and kimbap that I have ever had. I never leave this place empty-handed because everything is such a delight considering the lack of any good Korean places to eat on the Eastside. For one, their food is made fresh here and not just canned from an unknown factory. They have a spot reserved in the back where the elderly, gung-ho Korean women are hard at work brining all sorts of vegetables and fish. They have everything you could possibly want as side dishes from your standard cabbage kimchi, cucumbers, green onions, seaweed salad, bean sprouts, fermented squid, pickled lotus, dried anchovies, et cetera. You can either dish it out yourself, where they will charge you by the weight, or they have some pre-packaged for convenience. This is where the glutton in me really shines. And because they also love to tease, out in the front where the cashier is they have fresh kimbap, sometimes japchae (sweet potato noodles), pajeon (flour pancakes), and other miscellaneous things that might be a special for the season. Just today I saw that they had dried persimmons and dried red Chinese dates for sale. I've never had anything but their kimbap but I can testify that it's good, better than the ones at Uwajimaya because it hasn't been refrigerated past its rigor mortis stage. It's a relatively compact store but they make use of every single square footage. I am surprised, actually, at how they have utilized the space. They are able to not only have a decent frozen selection of Korean goods, but they have space for baked goods and Korean pastries, their kimchi buffet line, a refrigerated section for their pre-packaged goods, some produce and fruit, and your average shopping needs (sauces, seasonings, packaged goods, junk food, dried goods, and so forth). It's no Paldo or whatever but definitely a quality replacement. I could spend hours in this small market. read more

A piece of Korea. If you work in Bellevue, this is where to get take-out lunch. Its hard to find, but is just around the corner on the "back" side They made me 6" kim-pa (similar to sushi) for $1.25! rolling while you watch. I got tipped of from a friend who been living in Korea. They sell the right tea for next-to-nothing, too. And then there is the rest of the store, though mostly in Korean. My friend shopped his Korean favorites, and some weird candy. The cashier is usually a bit yonger and speaks English. read more

Unlike some people I know who shall remain nameless, I love Korean food. :P So, when I was told about this little gem of a grocery store, I immediately decided to visit. They have an amazing kimchi selection and homemade Korean sushi and all that... Which is perfect if I ever want to just pick up something fast for a quick meal... The other day, my sister-in-law wanted me to pick up some groceries from here -- 3 bunches of green onion for $1, and two GIANT daikon for $2.20... I came out of the store having spent only $3.20! So the prices are great too! I can't wait to go here again... It'll definitely become a staple. read more

I've been shopping here for over 10+ years, and support this grocery store over bigger corporate stores like H-Mart, Paldo World, and Uwajimaya. With all that being said, this place is stacked and packed with goodies and is clean! Their kimchi is the best in the state...yeah I said it...THE BEST. With that being said, don't leave this place w/out picking you up a jar of it. Also, all the "on the go" food you can buy (like kimbop, filet fish friend in egg, etc.) are guaranteed to be made fresh daily. This place has such a selection of stuff to buy, I tend to shop here more than I would at QFC, Safeway, Albertsons. Must trys : Kimchi, kimbop, spicy raw soft shell crab (in banchan section, caution: extremely spicy), gummy choco candy, and mochi ice cream (vanilla, strawberry, green tea, mango...$6 for 6 but well worth it!) read more

A great Korean grocery store to check out and like the other reviewers mentioned this place is small. They greatest thing about this store is that they have a kimchi bar filled with different types of picked and spicy things. It's the main reason I visit this store, they have tiny fried fish (great with rice, don't know the full name of it), a huge variety of kimchi and so more! They also have a wide variety of other Korean products and even a small produce section. If you're looking to make your own kimchi this is a great place to pick up ingredients that can only be found at a specialty store like this one (Crushed red peppers). Truly a hidden gem if you're a big kimchi eater or want some Korean groceries. read more

Still loving this place! Even though Paldo has closed and their prices have bumped up a little, they are still decently priced (what you save on gas and time by not having to go to Federal Way/Lynnwood is totally worth it). Even when Paldo was open I preferred this place because of the personal interaction/homey feel of the store so I don't think there is any loss there. I can get just about anything Korean food related that I would need here, from "homemade" banchan (side dishes) to kim chee, rice cakes, ramen, chips/crackers, tofu, frozen ribs and pork belly, fresh "Korean" vegetables, and the all important rice and seaweed. Small and family owned they work really hard to ensure they have a good variety of what you might need to get a healthy good Korean meal on your table. The service is efficient and friendly (for Korean standards). Their ready made foods like kimbap (Korea sushi), japchae (glass noodles), jok bal (pigs feet), jun (fish/meat patties with egg batter), etc are all pretty tasty and make a great substitute when I'm just to tired to cook dinner. Now I made myself hungry... darn... well, come shop here and enjoy! read more

KIM BAP, KIM BAP! I actually came here to get pan chan as well for the first time. The pickled radish and potato salad to be exact. Those are fairly decent. Though, the pickled radishes were especially salty, which I didn't enjoy. Paired with rice or anything else, they are fine. The potato salad was a bit dry, but not a big issue cause I thought it was creamy enough. Their kim bap is freshly made everyday, and still warm in fact around lunch hour. That's why my mother always buys it then. Inside the kim bap is rice, taku an, imitation crab, egg, spinach, and tempura. The seaweed is still warm on the outside, as well as the rice on the inside. That's when it is the best. I highly advise finishing it the day of purchase because it will definitely turn tough on you! They also sell a wide variety of Korean snacks, groceries, and desserts. Fantastic eh? I will be back for my kim bap and pan chan! read more

3 words: BANCHAN BUFFET! The banchan bar showcases a variety of pickled delights that are freshly made in store every day. The selection of banchan is pretty extensive - a rotating selection ranging from the classic staples of cabbage, cucumber, radish kimchi to an adventurous assortment of squid, soft-shelled crab, & fish kimchi. I've also seen 'Korean' potato salad & macaroni salad - but have always stuck to my seaweed salad & fishcakes. Some might be turned off by the ever present aroma of fish sauce & chili pepper - but I am absolutely tickled by the comfort smells of some damn good kimchi. This cozy little store stocks all the ingredients needed for classic Korean dishes. Prices are extremely reasonable - I've always walked out with a bags of fresh produce & banchan for a steal! And if you still need encouragement to check out Southgate Oriental Grocery: they stock halved MARROW BONES. *droooools.* read more

This is a small family owned Korean grocery store in Bellevue. I think it is the only Korean grocery in the Eastside since Paldo World closed down. I heard H-Mart is coming next year but will stick with Southgate. I really like this market. Although it is small, it has most of the Korean foods that I want. It has fresh korean vegetable and fruits. I always get the freshly chopped garlic because I am lazy. Of course it doesn't have a butcher, but it still has a variety of meat and fish. It has good variety of banchan and their kimchi is pretty good. Kimbab is good too. Great for a healthy lunch. The service is always friendly. Always helpful. Speak both Korean and English. If you want to shop Korean food in the Eastside, this market is the place to go. read more

This is a little korean grocery store tucked inside one of the strip malls at Factoria. It provides the needed conveniences for the neighborhood Asian shoppers. As to be expected with all neighborhood grocers, it doesn't carry a huge variety and a little pricey compared to the bigger Asian grocers, but it's a hidden gem for convenience. Plus the shop clerk was really nice, much more personable than at HMart. read more

Omgness, I forgot about this Korean market! It's incognito, way in the back. Sweet ajumas that roll some mean Kim Bap. It's fresh, with all the goodies inside. I like the fact that the filling vs. rice ratio is appropriate. It's more bite sized with just enough rice. Oh, they also have Jab Chae in to-go containers, perfect for lunch. All kinds of ban chan (Korean okazu, side dishes) you can buy by the pound. They also carry rice cakes from a local vendor in Tacoma, and they make an assortment of mochi+red bean, Korean style sweets. They have a solid Asian junk food aisle and others scattered throughout the store. Also have cold drinks up front, just right as you enter the shop. Ramune soda, Calpico, iced coffee, and yogurt drinks. read more

Thank goodness for this place! Seriously! I was really upset after moving to the eastside and not having a Korean grocery around. I am used to having a H-Mart near by when I want to cook my own Korean food. Then one day, we found this grocery store! My dreams came true! This little family owned grocery store has all the essentials that you need. They even have frozen meats like pork belly and brisket on hand. Not to mention the delicious home made side dishes ready to pack in a container to go! They are cheap and reliable! I love coming here. read more

Their homemade kimchi is amazing... They also carry other banchan (side dish) but I usually go here to buy kimchi. I am from Korea and I know how good/traditional kimchi tastes like. It's good! 4/5 because sometimes they don't have kimchi... maybe I should call them before visiting next time. read more

Fresh kimbap everyday for 3.99 and nearly every day they have Korean pancake and japchae (only 5.99)!! And, so delicious. They are well stocked with all my favorite Korean foods and many I have not tried yet. There is a "food bar" stocked with fresh foods (you often can see the ladies working in the back - preparing and cooking). Super friendly and helpful service. I gave the Price range 2 stars although I wish I could do 2.5. Many of the foods are very reasonably priced. However, many are not. For instance a 22 oz bottle of sesame seed oil is 9.99. That seems pretty steep to me. But, overall it averages out with the other items I purchase. And, if I have to spend an extra dollar or two on my total purchase to help keep this place open that's okay with me. There is no other quality Korean Market this close to me in Bellevue. read more

Neat selection of groceries, household stuff and deli food. Being in the area, I thought I'd poke inside and see what's up. I think I left with one of my favorite red mean mochi rice cakes and 2 items from the cold deli (bean sprout w/ garlic herb[?] and stir fry fish cakes which = ~1 lb). Some staff don't understand english; others do. The cashier lady is friendly. read more

I live right around the block from this place. I've passed by it countless times not knowing what it was. So me and my roommates decided to stop by one day and find out it's a Korean grocery store. A tiny one at that, but still nice selection nonetheless. From what I can tell their prices are very competitive considering their size. You'd figure they would overcharge, but they don't. I go to get kim bap, packaged Korean ramen and anything else I need. Love this place. :D read more

Tiny but mighty, this Korean grocery store is packed with my favorites. Plenty of banchan to choose from, delicious snacks and toasty tea fill the isles Feel like making it yourself? Go to the back corner and you'll find all the fresh ingredients. From there take the isle to the cash register where you can pick up spices for pickling and marinades. I always grab some freshly made Gimbap for the ride home. Yum! read more

I love this place. As described, I'm a Japanese n Korean food lover. This place ease my Korean food craving in the middle of the day. They have the most delicious kimbap you can get from a grocery store and did I mentioned is only $3.99. Even time I stop by i have the urge to get more than one, but my wiggly tummy is telling me "NO, you cant let you workout be a waste!" So i limit myself to just one kimbap whenever i stop by. Lol just tried the homemade chapchae today, it was okay but a bit too oily. The price and the portion balanced it out so i didnt take away star for that. read more

This place is awesome. I cook and eat Asian food only cause.... That's how I roll.. I found this place due to cooking with girlfriends -yes, who are Asian. You are so smart! - and come back several times a week. They have produce, prepared foods, rice cakes, seaweeds, powders, sauces, and everything else for Korean food! People are kind, too. Cashier lady remembers me and she's awesome. Love the little kids who come around here, too. SO cute! read more

Just discovered this place today after picking up takeout at I Love Pho. Pretty extensive selection of Korean groceries for a small place. They also offer a good amount of fresh made items such as Kim bop, kimchee, and desserts. read more

Great little Mom and Pop Korean market to get everything you need for most Korean dishes. Tremendous banchan bar with even the raw fermented seafood options, choice by the pound. They make some of the best fresh kimchi's, their banchan bar alone is worth a trip to the store, much better selection than H Mart and all homemade right there (you can see the kitchen over on the side.) Good selection of fresh veggies, frozen meats/seafood, huge choices of tofu and fresh/frozen noodles and rice cakes. Best selection of rice, mushrooms, kelp, gochugaru, gochujang, sesame oils, whole grains, etc....better than Uwajimaya. I shop here several times a week. Once the owner got to know me, she traded cooking hints and suggestions. Parking at lunchtime can be tough because of the office workers and restaurants next door. read more

que lo que, papi! to call this a grocery store is a bit of a stretch. it's more of a bodega sans the bodega cat and chopped cheese. and while the owners can be a bit surly, they are korean instead of dominican. why do i come here? well, like any good bodega, this joint is just down the street from me and carries most, if not all, the ingredients for my (korean) food needs. they don't have a fresh meat section but their frozen meats are pretty dang good. banchan deli is better than the downtown bellevue H Mart (though their meat selection is head and shoulders above Soufgate). no fresh seafood to speak of but produce is aight. you in need of some ramyeon? they can hold you down. sac sac grape to quench your thirst tambien? no problemo. i wish they was open 24/7 but alas, they ain't. prices are competitive but not enough to justify driving here instead of H Mart if it's closer to you, tu sabe? **apologies to any dominicans i may have offended by mangling spanish** read more

This little market is great when I don't feel like driving all the way to Federal Way to get Korean groceries. The market has everything you need to make Korean food; minced garlic, kimchee, banchan etc. It is a little on the pricey side, but worth it since I don't have to pay extra gas money. After getting all of my Korean groceries, I like to stop the Boulangerie Bakery just a few doors down. read more

I LOVE this mom & pop grocery store! You can find everything here that you'd find at other large korean grocery store. It's a great location for where I am. And the prices are average and fair. Service is great! the vegetable selection is good and usually good quality and fairly priced! Everything you need to have korean food. They also do some catering for parties. You have to pick up the food, but it comes in large sheet pans. I love being able to support local businesses who do a great job and give great products! This is my neighborhood korean grocery store! read more

I've been going here for around 20 years-it's truly a traditional feeling small korean store. It's got all of the korean staples, plus they made THE BEST tasting cabbage kimchi, radish kimchi, and gimbap. Do yourself a favor and eat them together! read more

Their homemade banchans (side dishes) and Kimbop are so good. They are conveniently located next to the hair salon and Korean bakery I go to, which makes the trip more pleasant. It's not Hmart but a good alternative! I actually prefer their side dishes over Hmart. They have a good selection of frozen dumplings and frozen seafood/Asian cut meats too. read more

Holly cow, this is one of my best discoveries of this year. My friend recommended Southgate Oriental for kimchi, but what I found here surpassed all my expectations! This place is clean, very well stocked, with friendly sell staff (not always a given when you a white shopper in an Oriental store :-( )... Their excellent banchan bar is actually much more than kimchi, whereas it also includes fermented fish intestines, fermented squid and oysters and all pickled fish, fruit and vegetables you can imagine. The best thing: a container with tooth picks so you can sample everything! It's like dying and going to a Korean heaven!! read more

Nothing beats their housemade banchan! I drive 30 miles away from my home just to buy their kimchi. I've tried about 10 other side dishes and their's taste better than any I've had including some from restaurants. Whenever I need Korean ingredients aside from craving their banchan, I don't hesitate to buy it here. It's a tad bit pricier than H-Mart for the same stuff but it's also a small store so I understand. They have all the essentials, if you want to stick to one place. The employees are very helpful. A few times they've recommended other Korean places if I wanted something specific that they didn't have and I appreciate them for that. read more

Wanted to update this review. They seemed to have given up on the price-gouging (for some time now) but I forgot to update. They really do have the best kimchi and kimbap and prices seem to have returned to the realm of reasonable so I'm happily giving them my business again. Seriously, you should support this little shop - it's a gem and I would hate to see it disappear. Prices are a tad higher but totally reasonable considering the convenience and selection is obv more limited than larger stores like HMart. read more

Its one of my favorite local businesses in Bellevue for Korean grocery. It has a little of everything and almost anything that you need. There is a small deli with fresh kimchi and kimbap, pancakes etc. Small freezer section with meats and ice creams... snacks as you please. small produce section in the back! I buy peeled garlic here all the time Best. read more

I love this little market! They have super fresh veggies, good Korean treats, and really good banchan. I have bought frozen beef here before and the quality is really good too. I also LOVE their kimbap, kimchi pancakes, and rice cakes. This place is far better than it looks. Also make sure to check out the Korean bakery next door. read more

South Gate is a small Korean grocery store tucked away in a small strip of business across from Factoria Square. Despite it's diminutive size, there is a pretty good selection of non-perishables, drinks, frozen foods, snacks, and pre-made pickled side dishes and even baked pastries. I stop in every once in awhile to pick up a few things, as well as some freshly made kim bap (basically like a Korean sushi roll)band various pickled side dishes from. This was one of the first Asian grocery stores in Bellevue which I hope will be around for much longer even with the other assorted Asian markets that have opened up since. read more

Kimchi is simply amazing. It reminds me of noodles-only restaurants in korea, where kimchi should be absolutely good to survive. 19 dollars for a large container - great deal. Other items were a little on the expensive end. read more

Small Korean grocery store that stocks the tastiest fresh baby radish kimchi. Come on the right day and grab some various forms of mochi dusted in different flavors (or plain) or stick with the kimbap made fresh daily. For the standard Asian pantry items such as fish sauce, soy sauce, or oils, I tend to purchase elsewhere for a larger variety. read more

This place is jam packed with stuff, and I loved the food bar of freshly made banchan!!! It totally reminded me of being back in San Francisco, shopping with me mom when I was kid. The kimbap was yummy and I also purchased their pre-marinaded bulgogi, which that was pretty good too. read more

With Paldo World now out of business I came here to pickup a few items. To my surprise I actually liked this place more so than Paldo. It's a little small and could use a little cleanup, but everything I needed was there. They have an excellent banchan bar. Picked up some spicy squid, kimchi and seasoned anchovies. They also make premade foods such as bulgogi, dwaeji bulgogi, japchae, kimchi jigae, etc. The only thing preventing me from giving it 5 stars is the selection of meat. Everything is frozen with limited selection. read more

Man I can't get enough of this grocery store. Looking for Korean goods, come here! It's worth the trek. I love hmart but this place is just too awesome. Also, they are a mom-and-pops/local business, so you gotta love that aesthetic. I've been delving into cooking Korean cooking lately and they have everything you need! Plus, their kitchen makes the best, in my opinion, kim chee! And they offer the best selection of side dishes too! I try to make come here after class at BC to pick things up! Also, they are really great with their customers too! read more

Their Kimchi is the best in Seattle.... Ever. They put oysters in there which makes it really fishy :P Yum. Other than the kim bop appetizer stuff. It's a cute little family store. Love to just stop by and grab a bite. read more

Great small grocery store. Has the essentials, and has a very homey feel. The young guy there is super helpful and wants you to leave happy. Their kimbap is really amazing... But, the star of the show is the Kim Chee. Super spicy and they def added some sweetness to it. It taste just like my grandmothers. I don't usually buy the veggies here, they have a very small selection. read more

Yummie bibimbap, fish cake and marinated veggie side dishes!