Kim's Oriental Market

Kim’s Oriental Market in Albuquerque is a locally cherished Korean grocery store and casual eatery where the focus is on authentic Asian ingredients and a handful of freshly prepared items in a modestly sized, well-organized space. Shoppers frequently highlight the store’s authentic kimchi offerings — often the only prepared item available in the fridge — alongside classic Korean grocery essentials like tofu, chopsticks, noodles, and thinly sliced meats for home cooking.

One of the distinctive features of this market is the freshly made gimbap and onigiri, prepared in-house and noted by customers for quality and flavor, with an “ajumma” preparing them behind the counter. Reviews also mention a selection of imported Korean snacks, teas (including citron honey tea), and other pantry staples, making it a favored stop for locals missing specific Korean products or looking for specialty ingredients.

Though the size of the store is smaller compared with full-scale Asian supermarkets, its focused inventory and friendly service make it a community go-to for both grocery shopping and grabbing ready-to-eat bites like onigiri and gimbap — a blend of grocery and informal meal stop.