Grocery Shopping in France: Supermarkets, Markets, Asian Products.

Start with JARI.

Grocery shopping in France when you've just arrived from Korea means relearning the store chains, the opening hours, the circuits — and tracking down your Asian products. JARI's Professional Services and community point you in the right direction: where to find kimchi, gochujang, or Korean rice near you, which chain fits which budget, and how to avoid the traps. You save time and money from your very first week.

The major supermarket chains.

The landscape splits by price range and format:

• Hypermarkets (cheapest for bulk): Carrefour, E.Leclerc, Auchan, Intermarché. On the outskirts, huge, with appliances and clothing.
• Neighborhood supermarkets: Carrefour Market, Monoprix (more upscale), Casino, Franprix, Carrefour City — convenient but a bit pricier.
• Discount (low prices): Lidl and Aldi, now very popular, with good-quality products.
• Frozen food: Picard, a French institution for quality frozen meals and vegetables.

Markets, greengrocers, and fresh circuits.

Every town has its market (often 1 to 3 times a week): fruit, vegetables, cheese, fish — often cheaper and fresher, with deals late in the morning. Neighborhood greengrocers (primeurs) and chains like Grand Frais offer excellent value on fresh food. Go with a shopping bag and some cash.

Where to find Korean and Asian products.

• In Paris: the Asian district in the 13th arrondissement (Tang Frères, Paris Store) for general Asian groceries; the Korean grocers around Opéra and Rue Sainte-Anne (K-Mart, Ace Mart) for kimchi, gochujang, ramyeon, short-grain rice.
• Across France: the "world cuisine" aisles at Carrefour/Auchan, local Asian grocers, and online delivery of Korean products.
• Tip: short-grain Japanese/Korean rice comes in 5-10 kg bags at Asian grocers, far cheaper than in supermarkets.

Opening hours: the habit to adopt.

Most shops open Monday to Saturday, often until 7-8 pm. On Sundays, many close or open only in the morning (until 12-1 pm). Check before heading out, especially on public holidays. Small city-center convenience stores sometimes stay open later in the evening.

Paying and saving.

• Free loyalty cards (Carrefour, Leclerc…): points and targeted promotions.
• Drive (order online, pick up by car) and home delivery: convenient, with no huge surcharge.
• Compare the price per kilo/liter printed in small type under the price — the real yardstick.
• Try anti-waste apps (Too Good To Go) for discounted baskets.

Bags, deposits, and small habits.

Bags are not free at the till: bring your own. Some chains have a deposit (consigne) for glass bottles. Weigh your own fruit and vegetables at the aisle scale when there is one (otherwise it's done at checkout).

Get support.

Finding your brands, your Korean products, and the best prices near you takes time when you land. Ask the JARI community and Professional Services for the right addresses — you'll know exactly where to go.

Going further.

Continue with Eating well in France, find all the addresses in Eating Korean in Paris, and learn restaurant etiquette in Eating at a restaurant.

Useful links.