Where to Buy International and Asian Foods in Canadian Cities

Toronto, Ontario

Toronto is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world—and it shows in its food.

T&T Supermarket (multiple locations): Canada’s largest Asian grocery chain, known for a broad range of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Southeast Asian items.
PAT Central (Koreatown and North York): Offers authentic Korean products, ready-to-eat meals, and household goods.
Kensington Market: A bohemian neighborhood filled with Latin American, Caribbean, Middle Eastern, and East Asian grocery stores.
St. Lawrence Market: Offers European deli meats, international cheeses, and hard-to-find imports.

Vancouver, British Columbia

With its large Chinese and Southeast Asian communities, Vancouver is a hotspot for Asian cuisine.

H Mart (Downtown, Coquitlam, Richmond): Popular Korean supermarket with fresh produce, seafood, snacks, and pre-marinated BBQ meats.
T&T Supermarket (multiple locations): A go-to for Chinese hot pot ingredients, frozen dim sum, and international snacks.
Sunrise Market (Downtown): Affordable prices on Asian produce and pantry staples.
Granville Island Public Market: While more general, this market features stalls with Asian and European specialties.

Montreal, Quebec

Montreal combines French culinary traditions with global influences.

Marché Jean-Talon: A bustling market that includes a variety of Middle Eastern, European, and Asian stalls.
Marché Oriental Jang Teu (Côte-des-Neiges): A compact store known for Korean and Japanese products.
Kim Phat Supermarket (multiple locations): A large Asian grocery chain carrying Vietnamese, Chinese, and Thai foods.
Marché G&D: Offers hard-to-find Chinese and Southeast Asian goods.

Calgary, Alberta

Calgary’s international food scene continues to grow alongside its population.

T&T Supermarket (Pacific Place): Full-service Asian grocery with live seafood, bakery, and food court.
Basha Foods International: Features products from the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa.
International Supermarket Calgary (iSupermarket): A South Calgary spot with delivery and a wide selection of Asian groceries.

Edmonton, Alberta

Lucky Supermarket: Well-stocked with Chinese, Filipino, and Vietnamese products.
H & W Produce: Great for fresh herbs and vegetables used in Asian and Latin American cooking.
T&T Supermarket (West Edmonton Mall): Offers the usual excellent selection of Asian foods.

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Winnipeg offers a surprising number of international food options given its size.

Ottawa, Ontario

The capital city is home to diverse communities and corresponding food outlets.

T&T Supermarket (Hunt Club): Consistent quality and variety of Asian staples.
La Boîte à Soleil: A unique store offering African and Caribbean foods.
Mekong Grocery: Southeast Asian focus, with ingredients for Thai, Vietnamese, and Filipino cooking.

Victoria, British Columbia

Though smaller, Victoria punches above its weight when it comes to specialty food.

A Mart Korean Grocery: Cozy store packed with ramen, kimchi, and Korean snacks.
Fong’s Market: A long-standing Chinese grocery store with dry goods, spices, and sauces.
Europa Foods: Specializes in European imports.

Mississauga & Brampton, Ontario

These cities boast large South Asian and Middle Eastern populations.

Nations Fresh Foods: Known for massive stores combining Western and international groceries under one roof.
Iqbal Halal Foods: One of the best sources for Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi ingredients.
Apna Farm: Known for fresh South Asian produce and bulk spices.

Final Tips

Look for Chinatown, Koreatown, Little India, or Little Italy neighborhoods in major cities—they’re usually packed with specialized grocery stores.
Farmer’s markets and ethnic festivals often showcase local vendors selling hard-to-find spices, sauces, and snacks.
Online delivery from stores like T&T Supermarket and iSupermarket is available in many urban areas.