For Chinese groceries in South Africa, Johannesburg is easiest: the supermarkets and vegetable stalls in Cyrildene’s Chinatown have almost everything, and Rivonia in the north has several Asian supermarkets. In Cape Town, Asian shops cluster on Main Road in Sea Point. Durban and Pretoria have Asian grocers too, with less choice. Basics such as soy sauce, noodles, rice and ginger are sold in mainstream chains like Checkers, Pick n Pay, Woolworths and Spar. Shop names below come from published guides; check they are open before you go.
Johannesburg
| Shop | Location | What you’ll find |
|---|---|---|
| CJ Supermarket | Derrick Avenue, Cyrildene (Chinatown) | Chinatown’s largest: imported noodles and snacks, frozen dumplings and buns, butchery, tofu, condiments, cookware, fresh vegetables |
| Chinatown street stalls | Derrick Avenue, Cyrildene | Bok choy, bitter melon, snake beans, white radish, Chinese aubergine |
| Sui Hing Hong | Commissioner Street, Ferreirasdorp (old Chinatown) | One of the oldest Chinese supermarkets: condiments, tofu, crockery |
| Market Kokoro | Rivonia Junction, Rivonia | Korean and other Asian condiments, noodles, cookware; oyster mushrooms, napa cabbage, bean sprouts; hot food counter |
| My Basket Supermarket | Rivonia | Asian pantry goods, spring onions, bok choy, bean sprouts, fresh bread and steamed buns |
Rivonia Boulevard has several more Asian supermarkets, handy for families in Sandton, Rivonia and the northern suburbs. For the whole area, see Johannesburg’s Chinatown and China malls. Note that the China malls sell mainly clothing, homeware and electronics; they are not where you buy food.
Cape Town
| Shop | Location | What you’ll find |
|---|---|---|
| New Asian Spice Supermarket | 186 Main Road, Sea Point | Asian condiments and dry goods |
| Hello Asia | 164 Main Road, Sea Point | Larger shop with cookware and tableware |
| Lunar Mart (Soy Joy) | Kloof Street Gardens, next to Checkers | Asian groceries |
This information dates from a 2020 guide, so confirm the shops are still trading. For the city overview, see our Cape Town guide.
Durban and Pretoria
Sun Sun Market is an Asian supermarket in Durban that featured in the media in July 2026 (search the name in your map app for the address). Pretoria has a sizeable Chinese community, but we have not yet confirmed specific shop names from published sources; ask in your hometown association or community groups. For Durban, see our Durban guide.
What to buy where
| Item | Where |
|---|---|
| Soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, dried noodles, rice, ginger, garlic | Any mainstream supermarket, usually cheapest |
| Tofu, bean sprouts, bok choy, napa cabbage | Chinatown and Asian supermarkets; some large chain stores carry bok choy |
| Pixian bean paste, Lao Gan Ma, hotpot base, fermented tofu, dried goods | Chinese supermarkets |
| Frozen dumplings, buns, tangyuan, fish balls | Chinese supermarket freezers |
| Pork cuts, chicken feet, offal | Chinese supermarket butcheries or local butcheries, which will cut to order |
| Seafood | Freshest in Cape Town and Durban; in Johannesburg, Chinatown fish stalls or large supermarkets |
Money-saving and practical tips
- Imports are expensive: Chinese condiments and snacks cost noticeably more than in China, so substitute local products where you can; local vegetables, meat and fruit are good value. See cost of living.
- Go early at weekends: Chinatown’s fresh vegetables are best on weekend mornings and often sell out by afternoon.
- Check labels and dates: look for English labelling and expiry dates on imported food, and make sure frozen goods have stayed frozen.
- WeChat group-buying: many Chinese residents buy vegetables and frozen food through WeChat group orders. It is convenient but offers little protection, so choose organisers with a good reputation and avoid paying large amounts upfront.
- Bringing food from China: South Africa strictly restricts meat products, fresh produce and seeds at the border. Check the official rules before packing food, or it may be confiscated or fined.
More in our community section.
FAQ
Where in Johannesburg has the widest range of Chinese vegetables?
Derrick Avenue in Cyrildene: CJ Supermarket plus the street stalls cover most home cooking.
Do ordinary supermarkets sell Chinese condiments?
The basics (soy sauce, oyster sauce, noodles, rice) yes; bean paste or hotpot base mean a trip to a Chinese supermarket.
Are there Chinese supermarkets in Cape Town?
There are Asian supermarkets, mostly on Main Road in Sea Point, with a smaller range than Johannesburg.
Can I post condiments from China?
Yes, but declare them under South African customs and biosecurity rules, and do not send meat products or fresh food. See our China–South Africa import and export guide for the wider rules.