THE FUSE

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The iron grip that Trader Joe’s has on me is undeniable. I don’t even shop for most of my groceries at the California-born grocery chain, but every week my little legs walk on over to my local store to check out the latest drops.

When I first started shopping at Trader Joe’s as a teenager, I would always drive back home in my Honda Civic with the same haul: garlic hummus, honey Greek yogurt, Caesar salad mix, almond milk, and the pounds plus milk chocolate bar. To round out the haul, I got the one remotely Asian grocery item offered that I loved: the General Tso’s chicken.

While the General Tso’s chicken from TJ’s remains a go-to for me to this day (especially when I can’t be bothered to cook), in the last few years I’ve observed that a huge surge of Korean and Korean-inspired grocery items have become permanent fixtures on the store’s shelves. What’s great is how many of the products are directly made by suppliers in South Korea, so you know you’re getting something legit.

As someone who cooks Korean food and often develops Korean recipes, I like to try everything. It can come with disappointment (shocker, not everything is good), but I find myself buying the standouts time and time again. Here’s my list of the six best Korean groceries at Trader Joe’s worth picking up.

This has got to be my favorite Trader Joe’s Korean grocery item of all time. The molten cinnamon sugar filling with the chewy, perfectly crisped dough never fails to conjure warmth and reassurance. I love to heat one up as a snack in the afternoon or as a quick breakfast with a really good cup of coffee.

I don’t know what’s written on the package instructions because, quite frankly, I’ve never once followed them. Instead, take my lead and cook it in the air fryer at 375°F for 9 minutes.

This pre-marinated bulgogi first hit stores in January 2024. It easily feeds a table of four, and it’s seasoned with the perfect blend of umami richness, sweetness, and a subtle allium bite. I like to eat it with some white rice and kimchi for a quick and easy meal when I’m short on time. When I’m feeling more extravagant, I make a rice bowl with this bulgogi and a mountain of shredded mozzarella cheese melted on top.

If you want Korean BBQ but don’t necessarily want to shell out for a full dinner at a restaurant (because eating out is so expensive these days!), this frozen entrée is a good choice. (While you’re there, scope out the best freezer finds TJ’s has to offer.)

I’ve loved tteokbokki since I was able to chew food. The spicy-sweet rice cake dish still delights me to this day, and I will most likely request it as the meal I eat before I exhale my last breath. It’s pretty rare to see good tteokbokki sold outside of the street stalls in South Korea, which makes it that nice that Trader Joe’s carries its own frozen meal kit version.

The cylindrical rice cakes, or tteok, included are perfectly chewy and absorbent, but I will admit that the sauce is a tad too sweet for my liking. That’s why when I make this, I will doctor it up with some more gochujang and gochugaru.

You won’t be hearing any positive remarks from me about the viral Trader Joe’s kimbap. Sure, it’s convenient — but kimbap should always be fresh, never frozen. What I’d suggest from the frozen section is the store’s jumeokbap (which directly translates to “fist rice”), a lump of seasoned rice shaped into a triangle and filled with savory plant-based “bulgogi” meat. They heat up in about a minute, which makes them the perfect speedy snack to enjoy in between meals.

Jeju matcha, at Trader Joe’s! Jeju Island is the largest island in South Korea, and much of its fertile volcanic land is used to grow some of the best matcha powder I’ve ever had, so I highly appreciate the specificity and attention to detail the Trader Joe’s team put into their newest Korean powdered drink.

The drink mix comes with powdered milk and sugar in the sachet, which means all you really need to do is stir it in hot or cold water. I think the best way to enjoy it is as a creamier latte: Whisk the powder with about 1/2 cup of water, then pour over a glass or mug of milk. It’s lightly sweet and gently grassy, and a pretty good affordable matcha option.

Gochujang is a thick, fermented Korean chili paste that adds a sweet, spicy, savory kick to almost anything it touches. I use it to make tteokbokki and kimchi tofu stew, and mix it into fried rice or rich and creamy pasta sauces to add heat. While most Asian markets sell it in big tubs, Trader Joe’s smaller version is perfect for tossing in my bag so I always have gochujang on hand when I’m cooking in a vacation rental. Flavorwise, it’s nicely pungent and has a decent amount of saltiness with a nice and thick consistency.

Did your favorite Trader Joe’s Korean grocery make the list? Tell us in the comments below.