Massive Asian Market Kimchi Mart Opens in Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale just got a major addition to its food scene. Kimchi Mart, one of South Florida’s most popular Asian grocery chains and winner of New Times‘ Best Asian Market 2023, opened its newest and largest location this past Friday in Fort Lauderdale. The massive new location opened at 510 NW Seventh Ave. with plenty of fanfare. Crowds packed the aisles on opening day, with shoppers lining up to grab boxes of honey butter chips, fresh seafood, and imported pantry staples straight from Korea and Japan.

Kimchi Mart first opened in South Dade at 15355 S. Dixie Hwy., but has since gained popularity and now operates stores throughout South Florida, including Pembroke Pines, Coral Springs (which was once its largest location), Hollywood, and, most recently, Fort Lauderdale. The new Broward location is the biggest one yet and the first full-scale Korean market in the city. Each store features a mix of Korean essentials, items from other Asian countries, as well as grocery staples, vegetables, and household goods. But this mega store takes the cake (or the kimchi).

Inside, the setup is familiar to the other locations: spotless aisles, bright lights, and shelves stacked high with Korean pantry staples, produce, and household goods. Each location is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., offering the same mix of variety and low prices that has quickly made Kimchi Mart one of the most popular markets in the area.

From Fresh Sushi-Grade Fish to Korean Favorites

Kimchi Mart is known for its authenticity, affordability, and variety. Shoppers can find Korean staples such as gochugaru, soy paste, sesame oil, and freshly packed kimchi, along with imported ramen, sauces, and condiments. The snack aisles are probably the most visited, stocked with honey butter chips, shrimp crackers, corn cheese chips, and tteokbokki-flavored crisps. Many customers come specifically for limited-edition imports tied to K-pop, including BTS-branded choco pies and specialty sweets from Seoul.

Seafood is another major draw of Kimichi Mart. The counter features sushi-grade tuna, salmon, and red snapper, as well as Korean favorites like squid, baby octopus, and abalone. The Fort Lauderdale store, like several others, also includes a café corner offering milk tea, mochi doughnuts, and Korean baked goods, offering a quick break during a shopping trip.

Kimchi Mart’s success shows the steady rise of Korean food culture across South Florida. Social media is certainly helping, as customers regularly share “K-snack hauls” and grocery finds from Kimchi Mart, which has helped the brand grow a large online following. The Fort Lauderdale opening extends that reach, offering one of Broward County’s largest selections of Korean and Asian goods to date.

Kimchi Mart Fort Lauderdale. 510 NW Seventh Ave., Fort Lauderdale; 754-216-0106; miamikimchi.com.