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- Hours:
Mon-Sun 8 am - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
433 reviews for Kukje Super Market
Review Highlights
"Great selection of tasty Banchan side dishes."
(in 55 reviews)
"The staff is nice and I love the kim chee from here."
(in 21 reviews)
"They have great pre-marinated meat thats great for bbq."
(in 8 reviews)
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433 reviews in English
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Review from Timothy L.
San Francisco, CA
11/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
They've got everything here.
EVERYTHING. -
Review from Melissa L.
San Francisco, CA
1/27/2012
Right now I'm going through a phase where I'm in the mood to cook or just eat Korean food all the time. What better place is there to stock up on supplies than Kukje? It's clean, the aisles aren't cluttered, everything is wrapped up for put into containers and best of all they sell Korean fried chicken in a variety of flavors!! Woo hoo!
They have a great selection of prepared foods - japchae, kimbap, spicy chicken wings, rice, bibimbap, roasted fish, sushi and of course, various banchan. They also have marinated meats that are ready to hit a grill and gallon jugs of kim chee. The produce is very well priced and is quite fresh. I've never had a problem with any of their prepared food items.
Parking is a breeze, either in the lot or on the street. When it's crazy there's usually someone in the lot directing traffic, which is nice.
One of these days I'll have to try the restaurant.
Back to perfecting my recipe for soondubu jigae...... -
Review from Saunders C.
San Francisco, CA
1/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
I guess I should really split up my review of Kukje into two reviews: one for the supermarket and one for the restaurant part. Shoulda woulda coulda. What you get is two for one.
Supermarket (3 stars):
If you're Korean, don't like to cook Korean food, but like to eat Korean food, then this place has some pretty good stuff for you. They have the marinated galbi and bulgogi that you can buy and take home ready to cook. It's ok. The bulgogi tasted like it hadn't even been marinated. The galbi was better. They also sell most of the little banchan-type dishes like the cooked bean sprouts, spicy tofu, kimchee, etc. Pretty much most of the Korean stuff you can't find at Safeway, you'll find here, so that's pretty good. Prices are kind of expensive, though. I guess since they don't really have much competition, they can charge more.
Restaurant (2 stars):
I went with a fan of jiajiang noodles, that black sauce with meat and onions ladled on top of noodles dish. She ate one bit of it and pushed it away. I'm not really a fan, but I ate one bite and thought it was ok, but yeah, not very good. I got the mandoo soup. I thought that was really good, the mandoo (dumplings) were tasty and the broth was light. We also tried the spicy seasoned fried chicken. For the first time in my life, I thought there was too much chicken on the chicken legs! They're really big, but really, just ok. You can't really taste much besides the fried exterior of the chicken legs. They have several other flavors, though, so maybe we just misfired on that one.
I dunno, Kukje is cool if you need to feed that Korean monster in your belly, either through the supermarket or at the restaurant, but I'm not compelled to go there. -
Review from Vivian A.
12/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
Korean friends brought us here for a quick dindin after a day of spa-ing and shopping. The food at the restaurant on the side was pretty good. As always, my Korean-speaking friends ordered ... and I just sat and nodded (my proven effective way-of-ordering-Korean food method). We had a plethora of food that was all very good and tasty: honey wings, soy sauce wings, bulgoki, dumpling soup, another soup with some odd-dead-grean-bean looking beet (tasty though!), dolsot bibimbop, spicy calamari, and some other dishes that I had not idea what I was eating, but they were delish!!!
They have a good produce section, which was WAY cheaper than my usual neighborhood Safeway, so I was happy to stock up on greens, beets, enoki mushrooms, apples, etc. They also have a great cosmetics counter that sells eyelashes for cheap, Korean face masks, and Shisedo. The rest of the store has got all your random cheap finds, which is so fun to look around and pick up the most random didn't-know-I-needed treasures (Hi-chews in various flavors, refrigerator deodorizer, house slippers, etc). Thanks for taking me here girls! -
Review from Mel P.
2/1/2012
LOVE LOVE LOVE this place! I had developed a case of ADD because there was so much to look at! I was amazed at everything. I loved all the Banchan to choose from. I bought so much stuff just so I could fill up my bento box. I got seasoned cuttle fish, kimchi, spicy sprouts, pickled cucumber, etc. I could go on and on. They have a great selection of sweet treats like Pocky sticks and Panda cookie snacks etc. There is so much and so little time to mention. They have a great selection meats and drinks! Everything, really! All at affordable prices. They even have a little dine in place for hot food. Great staff! Will be back soon! LOVE!!!!!
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Review from Pam S.
11/15/2011
I never realized this supermarket has a restaurant inside. So, with my gal pals along, we dined here. Place is a decent size. We were a 10 people group. Clean enough. Different vibe with the supermarket buzzing in the background.
Their menu serves both Japanese and Korean dishes. Once you're ready to order you just ring the bell that's on the wall of every table (genius, isn't it?).
Korean appetizers are always a winner. Those could be a meal by itself. But of course, I wouldn't wanna miss my soft tofu with kimchi and pork - make that medium spicy please.
I ordered sushi as well...meh...stick to their korean selections.
Supermarket is huge. Clean. Prices are reasonable. There's plenty of parking but I can see how this can get busy. -
Review from Miki C.
San Francisco, CA
1/20/2012
I love how they have a huge selection of Korean foods. They also serve some hot foods as well at an affordable price! :D
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Review from Erica L.
Daly City, CA
12/8/2011
I can not walk in here and not buy anything.
Just the snack isle will make me a lil kid in a candy shop. I always just go for the items that are on sale. which have not disappointed me ever.
Their sushi is a bit over priced, and the side dishes that they sell aren't that great. I have been craving marinated anchovies like what they give at korean restaurants but the one they sell here are not good. Some of their pickled stuff are good.
Their marinated beef is very convenient for dinner. Just buy it by the pound and put it on a pan and serve. -
Review from Rosavida C.
San Bruno, CA
11/22/2011
Well, they definitely have 99% of what you're looking for. Their banchan selection is the most extensive of the markets I've perused through. Today I got the seaweed, spicy bean sprouts, and the spicy small dried anchovies. All three were great, tasty, and came out to about $7.
I hoped they'd have Kirin milk tea, but alas - they have everything but.
I wanted that ... cylindrically shaped rice dish - but it comes in a largely portioned plate so I passed. It's about $5.
It's clean and well ventilated, which is AWESOME. I hate walking past the seafood section but this market keeps it well-maintained so the only time you know you're in it is when you see that you're standing in it [compared to other markets].
The products are about 10% pricier [based on things I purchase regularly] than other markets, but I was there to pick up the awesome anchovies that I haven't come across anywhere else.
Also, there is a ridiculous $10 minimum to use debit/credit cards, which I think is a bit much, especially for a market. Customer service is definitely good though! -
Review from Jacqueline T.
New York, NY
11/17/2011
They have the Mochi bits that the fro-yo places have as toppings!!! That was exciting enough, although the store is packed with other delicious stuff.
5 stars if the produce was priced a little better, otherwise fantastic!! -
Review from Anita W.
San Francisco, CA
11/21/2011
This is pretty much the only Korean Supermarket in the San Francisco/Daly City area. Thankfully, it has pretty much everything a Southern California Korean market would have, without the Southern Californians... including a restaurant inside!
The Kimbap (for $4.50) is excellent. Hella side dishes too.
That's all. -
Review from Jina R.
Pacifica, CA
12/9/2011 5 Check-ins Here
I moved to Pacifica not too long ago and I was super happy that there's a Korean market nearby! It's definitely no H-Mart, but they have reasonable prices and carry your basic Korean essentials.
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Review from Michelle D.
San Francisco, CA
1/7/2012
I love this place.
They have EVERY KOREAN THING here!
My mom likes to buy their groceries, haha.
I like all the snacks and food they have here.
I also really like the restaurant they have inside the supermarket.
The stuff in the restaurant isn't expensive and rather cheap for a Korean restaurant.
They also have a place where you can buy take out food like kim bap, spicy rice cake, etc. This is my favorite place to pick up some Korean takeout & snacks! -
Review from Sally Y.
San Francisco, CA
11/10/2011
I suggest if you ever want to find:
goody snacks, asian face and makeup product, kitchenware, take out food come here!!!
Seriously! you can get a lot done in one stop. I love this place because it close to the theater, therefore you can grab snacks and sneak into the movies. and Wah La!
Also, this place has a take out food section. If you ever feel like not eating out and spending that 20 bucks on a meal of short ribs. Heres a place to get them. Nicely marinated and ready to cook on grill. There are also a variety of pan chan you can get to add for your semi-cooking korean meal.
Defiantly suggest this place if you like korean food!. - oh try their chicken wings too, pretty good too. and their sweet desserts. -
Review from A J.
San Francisco, CA
12/31/2011
My favorite Korean market in the Bay area. I come here regularly--it's clean, large and stocked with every Korean item I've ever needed. Has a great selection of cooking utensils and kitchen gadgets, a restaurant and a bakery, and a large variety of "to go" foods, ranging from kimbap to bindaeduk. They also have a whole section set aside just for prepackaged banchan.
I never realized how good this place was until I went to Koreana Plaza in Oakland, which I found to be so sketchy and dirty in comparison.
The restaurant inside the market is also very good. I highly recommend the soon dubu jigae and the naengmyun. Yum! -
Review from Stella B.
San Francisco, CA
9/13/2011
Great deals for their quick bites to-go.
Whenever I have a craving for fastfood, I think of this place whenI want to be a little healthier.
Love the to-go packs of sushi, jap chae, chicken and side dishes. Paired with a chilled bottle of OB, these to-go treats make a chill, relaxing and satisfying meal to share. -
Review from Chanel E.
Daly City, CA
1/1/2012
The food is absolutely amazing. I am their regular customer. The servers are very nice and welcoming. I would recommend this place to anyone!
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Review from Julia P.
10/9/2011
My go to asian market.
Yes it's outside of the city but only a mere 10 minutes. It has all the necessary korean and other asian items with decent prices and it's a big enough store to not run out of what I need.
There are many other smaller markets in the city but they tend to be much more expensive. And since I do my asian market shopping only once a week, this place does its thing.
Obviously I could head over to Oakland but this spares me the bay bridge traffic and the toll. -
Review from Yohann S.
Philadelphia, PA
9/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place heavily remind me of Assi Plaza back home, Philly.. minus hundreds of different type of soju, Asian beers, and sake. My gf said that the kimbap in this place supposedly good. Too bad when we were there, it was already too late.
OH! They have my favorite ice cream :) You can say it's Japanese or Korean, don't matter. I don't care. It's the same shape. I called it Iced Taiyaki :) or their korean name is Bungeoppang. Red bean and vanilla flavor.
Can't wait to be back there and try their other mini restaurant. Till next year :) -
Review from Catherine H.
San Francisco, CA
10/25/2011
This review is for the Cosmetics Department that is inside the store, not the actual grocery market.
The worst service ever. I called to ask a question and she hung up on me because she said she was with a customer and that I need to call back. All I wanted to ask was if they carried this one specific item.
You know, I'm all about supporting my peoples, but people like HER gives certain ethnic groups/ or a place a bad name.
Otherwise, the grocery store is perfectly AOK. -
Review from Ben T.
San Francisco, CA
9/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
If you are looking for pretty much any korean product, you will find it here. every banchan and kimchi ever. super convenient. however the clerks don't speak a lick of english....
parking in front is a nightmare with a poorly laid out lot. -
Review from mary ann b.
South San Francisco, CA
11/23/2011 6 Check-ins Here
Bento boxes, sushi rolls, and varieties of fried chicken. Aisles of goodies galore, and so many ramen noodles! Yaaay!!! I love coming here especially if I need a quick fix on my many food cravings. Some of the items here can get pricey but whatevs I am the cookie monster of food/snacks and I need to feed my addiction. =P
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Review from Morris C.
Daly City, CA
12/13/2011
I love how convenient it is to go down a few blocks and purchase a pound of bulgogi, bring home, cook it up and throw that all over korean rice. it is delicious! I just reminded myself to go get some yogurt cups and chum cho-rum!
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Review from Nick L.
San Francisco, CA
10/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place is ok. I've seen better Korean supermarkets but in terms of ease of access this place wins. Parking is crazy here as you can find a parking space in one direction but not the other....you'll see if you ever go!
They have the usual selection of goods and we usually grab a few specifics such as kimchee and seaweed. The last time we decided to get adventurous and get some pre-marinated kalbi. Not a good idea, it wasn't marinated in a tasty enough sauce and the color looked a little off in hindsight.
Lesson learned but we did find an excellent coconut juice drink!! -
Review from Kenny L.
9/1/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I come to this place wayyyyy too much just to eat and buy food!
Their little mini restaurant in here serves up some good korean food, but i dont know if i can say that for the japanese food. Their japanese food is just like any other spot with the california rolls and spiders rolls, and the sashimi is ok, doesnt seem too fresh but its whatever
the service is pretty good and they're pretty fast with the food too.
its amazing how they have their own little fried chicken shop over there too, def need to check that out soon.
one minus star: Parking sucks! -
Review from Lianne D.
San Francisco, CA
9/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
Nooooom! I love this place!
Korean Popsicles and Chicken wings and Korean Sushi! It's a little pricey but what do you expect, most korean shops are expensive! I love it here and all the goodies they sell! -
Review from Jessica K.
Roseville, CA
Cue the Rolling Stones "You Can't Always Get What You Want"...
All my life, I'd lived within a stone's throw of at least a couple good Asian grocery stores...until now. I moved up to the Sacramento area not giving a second though to the possibility of a depletion of a regular kimchee supply. Now, you might say to yourself, "couldn't you make your own?" or "I'm sure Costco's kimchee isn't bad." For those of you who thought the latter, bite your tongues and go to hell.
So after a disappointing trip to the Koreana Plaza in Rancho Cucamunga or whatever, I bought myself a little Coleman cooler for my car to take any opportunity I could to drive down to the peninsula and replenish my stock of Korean goods. One might say I should just go to 99 Ranch 'cause it's just as good and while I agree, it doesn't have the same Korean bakery, fried chicken station, kimbob display OR restaurant inside. Nor can I find jajang in the bottle, or really thin sliced black pork belly, or soondeh.
Did I mention how terrible I am at making my own banchan by the way? When my mom made it, she made enough for the entire block and it took a whole weekend to make one lousy dish 'cause of all the prep work my tiny fingers had to juggle with homework on the side. Going to Kukje allows me to breath deep, feel at home, and not give into my desires to just move back to the Midwest just for the food alone.
I never knew what I had until I moved away and now I'll never take it for granted again.2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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7/16/2009
Mmmmmm... :) :) :)
Sometimes I miss my mom. More specifically, I miss opening the fridge and seeing… Read more »
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Review from Albert L.
7/2/2011 2 Check-ins Here
2 CENTS ON CENTURY THEATER SNACK OPTIONS.
This market is a great place to grab snacks right before a movie at Century 20. No offense to theater food but they can go F themselves if they expect me to pay $5 for a plain hot dog, $6+ for popcorn, and who knows how much for a regular bottle of water.. (I believe it was $3.50?) Thankfully, Kukje is only a few blocks away from all the madness that is theater food. The amount I spend here on snacks here is minuscule; just need a way to sneak it in now.. -
Review from Fannie S.
8/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
Service = okay
Layout = need wider aisles. One can barely maneuver the cart through!
Selection = plentiful but I could not find minced ginger (tons of garlic but no ginger in a container) Yes, they have fresh ginger, but I wanted the minced stuff that's in a container and requires refrigeration.
Parking = limited and narrow two-way traffic. Trust me, be careful.
Prices = reasonable.
Food, kitchenware, housewares and some beauty supplies all available in one store. Next time, I'll have to spend some time in their 'deli', hot foods/bakery areas.... -
Review from Stefan L.
San Francisco, CA
9/28/2011
This place is fantastic for those quick eats and Asian groceries. When I get the hungries for an In N Out in DC, I'll swing by this place to get some hot fresh eats since I like variety and you can't always get fresh Korean fast food nearby.
The packages are big enough for two, which is why I got the Combo Sushi, Korean noodles and 2 chicken wings for $5.50. It was very tasty, not too salty and the kim-bob rolls are fresh. In fact everything was hot and fresh. I'm not too sure of the plastic wrap laying on hot food . . . but that's another rant.
Also picked up some bok choy and string beans which were also fresh and well stocked. Nothing to complain about. Prices are reasonable, place is well stocked, and the place is clean. The folks there are friendly and don't yell at you if you ask dumb questions. (Like I can't read Korean and the clerk was able to help me). Didn't buy any fish items today but that area is clean and not smelly (as in some other Asian markets).
Good job Kukje! Glad you moved from Noriega St a long time ago. -
Review from Daniel H.
San Francisco, CA
9/17/2011
Variety sections of food and house appliances, well organized.
I was able to find everything that I expected for decent price. Cons: Parking can be inconvinient, however I was able to find the street parking near. -
Review from margaret s.
Daly City, CA
8/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
Holy yum yum cow! This review should probably reserved for international tofu house (who hires shortrudegirls and has mediocre food) but I was sent to order take out chicken by short rude girl at international tofu house counter.
Koreans do fried chicken really well. Really, really well. Got garlic spicy chicken and original, no spice chicken in boneless. Both were super fantastic. Chicken was a little dry in some places but it is expected of boneless wings.
Bought 50 boneless for 10 people. Came out to about $38.
Wings are small/normal in size. A little on the pricey side though (like everything in this market). The oil is very clean here though! Important!
As for the rest ofthis market...it never has what I want it to have! I use to get hawaiian sun diet lemon iced tea here but they stopped carrying it.
I like the popular barrels of kimchi here way more than the brand from costo. But if you call it kimchi, it's likely I'll eat it.
Whatever though. I'm here for the chicken and duk boki. -
Review from Joc V.
Oakland, CA
7/24/2011
When my son turned one last year, his first words in no particular order were:
Mommy
Daddy
Puppy
Kukje
That is a testament to our love for Kukje market. I discovered Korean BBQ tacos right about the time food trucks started coming into their own and I knew I had to make some. In search of an easy and delicious recipe with few esoteric ingredients, I came across
http://steamykitchen.c...
It called for my new favorite condiment, Gochujang which is spicy Korean chili paste--a little sweet, a little smoky and packs a kick! Kukje market's refrigerated section had a variety of Gochujang along with all the marinated meats my little black heart desires for my Kalbi obsession. Their deli section has prepared foods and an awesome array of those little Korean side dishes I can never remember the name of like kim chee, cucumber and radish salads. The aisles are a bit narrow but the store is clean and nicely stocked.
It is no wonder that Kukje was one of my son's first words. -
Review from Serena C.
Daly City, CA
8/24/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Lots of yummy Korean snacks and big variety of drinks. Cheap sake and soju.
I never actually bought groceries here. Just snacks. Their sweet and spicy chicken is bomb! They price their sushi really low when it's close to closing time. Another good dish is their glass noodles.
Everyone that works there are extremely friendly. They might not understand English well but they still try to help you out. -
Review from jeddie k.
San Francisco, CA
9/7/2011
Tried the bibimbap. I have been disappointed with Korean food in the city for a while now and was even more disappointed that I didn't have a chance to eat any on my trip to L.A. recently. However, this was decent. I didn't like the banchan selection much, but the kimchee was much more flavorful and less bitter/sour/tart/blek than the other places I've been recently.
Will try their soon tofu soup next time hopefully. -
Review from Aura J.
7/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
I've been going to Asian supermarkets all my life. So it's nice to stumble upon a different type of Asian market. I love how Kukje has all the meats cut & packaged ready for korean style bbq or shabu shabu. I also love the huge selection of side dishes in the refrigerated section (next to the deli).
If you want to host a different type of dinner party, go Korean! Kukje will not break your budget and will allow you time to conversate with friends rather than being a slave to the kitchen. -
Review from Diana M.
6/11/2011
I usually go to the Koreana Market in Oakland since its closer to me. But Kukje is my favorite! I just wish it wasn't so far.
They usually carry the standard groceries but they seem to have more of selection of things. They have more choices of packaged ban chan. If you're lucky, there's a huge sale on big bottles of kim-chee for $10 (regularly priced at $17). My mom went nuts! She already has a bottle at home - she couldn't resist buying another one! There's also a cosmetics counter. That's where I buy my facial masks and they carry the best fake eyelashes in cute pink containers! What I love the most about this market is the small restaurant inside. It's actually pretty decent and prices aren't bad. Did I mention that you can also get Korean fried chicken wings there?
I find this market comforting. =) -
Review from y c.
San Francisco, CA
11/13/2011
the grocery store: love the kimchee/side dish selection, love the marinated chicken/beef
restaurant: tofu soup, rice stone pot, LOVE IT
convenient, relatively no wait, decent price. -
Review from Esther A.
3/23/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Probably one of the better Korean supermarkets. And I've been to A LOT if not all of the ones in the bay area. This place has everything from random knick knacks for your home, kitchen utensils, pillow/blanket sets, Korean cosmetics, dolls, you name it they've got it!
The store is never over crowded and the store itself is fairly clean and kept in order. They have a decent restaurant that serves sushi and other Korean favorites. My choices here are the ddukbokki and the jjajangmyun. I'd say a big fat "NO" to the kimbap however. It was sloppy and had too much rice stuffed into one roll. It resembled a roll I had attempted to make when I was a kid trying to help Mom out. They have a section dedicated to K-style fried chicken and fried donuts. Mmmmmmm...donuts!!! -
Review from James L.
4/15/2011
I stopped by recently and I have to say this store isn't as nice as I remember it from previous visits. The produce looked shabbier than they should be for the price, a lot of shelves were empty/dirty/in disarray, and if you're like me and you believe without a doubt that your mom's banchan is better than anyone else's, none of the ready-made banchan offered at Kukje will look tempting. And as always, the parking situation was atrocious on my visit. I try not to let externals such as parking affect my reviews but I can't help but do so here. I nearly got backed into at least three times (that's what she said).
On the plus side, there are excellent prices on certain pantry items: I left with a huuuuuuuge bag of sun-dried, unrefined sea salt for $3.99. (Those of you who love cooking with sea salt but are tired of paying out the nose in a Western grocery for a small can of ~French~ sea salt really need to check out a Korean grocery.) Also, the bentou lunches are pretty tasty and an excellent deal for the quality/portions: I got a large meal with grilled teriyaki salmon, a California roll, and a small salad for $7.99.
