Comparison of H-E-B, Costco, H-Mart, MT Supermarket, Trader Joe's, 99 Ranch, Hanyang Market

One of the most frequently asked questions by those newly moved to Austin is, "Where do I do my grocery shopping?"

Austin offers a variety of options, from large American supermarkets to Asian markets and specialty Korean food stores. Knowing what to buy where can significantly help save on living expenses and settle in.

H-E-B

Texas' representative local supermarket, Austin residents' favorite

Pros: Fresh, good value, wide variety of local specialties, excellent private brands

Cons: Lacks Korean ingredients

First choice for daily grocery shopping

Costco

Large-volume warehouse membership store

Pros: Good for bulk purchases, cheap gasoline

Cons: Mainly bulk, membership required ($60/year)

For 4-person families to save on living expenses + bulk purchases of household goods

H-Mart

Essential supermarket for Korean ingredients, most frequently visited by Koreans

Pros: One-stop shop for kimchi, gochujang, tofu, fish, side dishes, tteok (rice cakes), and bakery items

Cons: Prices are somewhat higher than H-E-B

A must-visit when you miss Korean food

MT Supermarket (MT Asian Market)

Vietnamese-owned large Asian market

Pros: Cheap seafood and Asian vegetables, diverse Asian ingredients

Cons: Store cleanliness is lower than H-Mart

For general Asian ingredients

Trader Joe’s

A unique and popular market in the US

Pros: Strong in private brands, healthy foods, snacks, and frozen foods

Cons: Small store and limited items

For unique snacks, vegan, and frozen food shopping

99 Ranch Market

Largest Asian supermarket chain in the US, with an Austin branch

Pros: Wide variety of Chinese and Southeast Asian ingredients, strong in seafood

Cons: Korean ingredients are not as strong as H-Mart

Useful for families who frequently cook Chinese or Southeast Asian dishes

Hanyang Market

Small Korean market, focusing on authentic Korean ingredients

Pros: Kimchi, namul (vegetable side dishes), banchan (side dishes), instant soups/stews

Cons: Small size with limited items

When you need a home-cooked meal feel

Conclusion

Grocery shopping in Austin can be summarized as follows:

Daily shopping at H-E-B

Bulk purchases & saving on living expenses at Costco

Stocking up on Korean food ingredients at H-Mart/Hanyang Market

Shopping for Asian ingredients and seafood at MT/99 Ranch

Unique snacks and healthy food at Trader Joe’s

Utilizing this combination will complete an Austin grocery shopping routine that offers both value and satisfaction.