8 Reasons Why Easy Buy Supermarket Bongdam Is Better Than E-Mart

• 日本語
• 한국어

In my previous post, I talked about how utilizing local programs is a lifesaver for daily expenses at small local businesses, especially when you learn how to use regional payment cards to save on daily expenses.

However, let’s be honest—sometimes, we really need to go to the big supermarket. Whether there is a certain product you can only find in a large inventory or you need to buy a massive amount of items for a family event, the little local shops sometimes just aren’t enough.

For a long time, in my area of Bongdam, Hwaseong City, we only had E-mart as a big hypermarket option. I used to go there often when I needed some foreign ingredients or something specific I couldn’t find in my immediate neighborhood. But Bongdam is a pretty big area, and driving to E-mart took a relatively long time. It was always a bit of a “trip” just to get groceries.

Fortunately, things have changed. I don’t have to drive to E-mart nearly as much anymore because we got a massive new “Mega Mart” right here in our neighborhood. The supermarket I am going to introduce to you today is called Easy Buy (이지바이).

Before it opened, I was really looking forward to it. I watched the building go up, and it looked huge. The location is incredibly convenient from our house, which is a huge plus when you have a baby. Now that I have been shopping there for a while, I want to share exactly what makes Easy Buy Supermarket Bongdam my new favorite place to shop. Here is my honest review of why this place rocks.

1. It is Brand New and Stress-Free

The first thing you notice about Easy Buy Supermarket Bongdam is that it is sparkling new. I remember it opened around May of last year. Because it is a recent construction, everything about the facility works perfectly.

If you have lived in Korea for a while, you know that some older “marts” can feel a bit cramped or worn down. But here, the area around the building is very clean, and the traffic flow entering the lot is very good. Inside, the travelators (the moving walkways for carts) are smooth, the aisles are wide, and the toilets are kept very clean. It might sound like a small detail, but when you are out with your family, having clean facilities makes the whole shopping trip much less stressful.

2. Wide Parking Spaces (A Parent’s Dream)

Let’s talk about parking. In Korea, parking can be a nightmare. Older buildings often have parking spots that are so narrow you have to suck in your breath just to squeeze out of your car door.

Since Easy Buy Supermarket Bongdam is a new building, the car park is designed according to the recent trends of larger cars. The spaces are noticeably wider.

This is a huge deal for my family. Since we have a car seat for our baby in the back, we always need a little more space between the cars to get the door open wide enough to buckle her in safely. At older marts, this is a struggle. But here? It works perfectly well. I never have a problem opening the door, and I don’t have to worry about accidentally dinging someone else’s car door.

Getting around locally with a child and having access to these stress-free facilities really highlights why living in modern Korean residential areas with great infrastructure makes family life so much easier.

Parking Fee Tip: Recently, they started charging money for the car park if you stay more than 30 minutes. However, don’t worry. If you register the barcode on your receipt at the kiosk before you leave, you can get enough free time to do all your shopping without paying a dime.

3. Bulk Items: Great for Events

The concept of Easy Buy Supermarket Bongdam is a mix between a standard supermarket and a wholesale “food material mart”.

Honestly, some sections are not really for me. You will see packs of products that are huge—like massive sacks of onions or boxes of lettuce designed for big restaurants. If you have a big family or are planning a special event like a weekend trip to go camping along the river, this is definitely the place to go for supplies.

For myself, I never buy the giant packing of onions or lettuce because we only have one baby and we don’t invite people over for huge dinners very often. But seeing the sheer volume of food available is impressive, and I think it works perfectly for anyone running a small business or feeding a crowd.

4. A Treasure Trove of Imported Ingredients

This is my favorite part. You can find unique ingredients here that are hard to find elsewhere.

You know Korea has so many delicious foods—noodles, barbecue, and amazing sauces like Gochujang and Ganjang. But, Korea doesn’t have a very “fluent” cheese culture, wine culture, or hot sauce culture yet.

Usually, if expats want these specific items, they have to navigate international shipping and figure out how to issue their Korean customs clearance code. But fortunately, Easy Buy Supermarket Bongdam has a fantastic selection of imported items right on the shelves.

• Wines: A surprisingly good selection from around the world.
• Hams: Real deli-style hams.
• Cheese: Actual blocks of cheese, mozzarella, and specialty cheeses.
• Sauces: Hot sauces and condiments from everywhere.

You don’t have to pay for a membership at Costco or drive far to Traders to get these things anymore. I personally believe this place has more choices for these specific western items than E-mart does.

5. The Dangerous “Taste Trial” Sections

There is always a promotion going on here. As you walk through the aisles, you will find “Taste Trial” sections (Sisik corner) where ladies are frying up dumplings, grilling meat, or offering samples of drinks.

I have to admit, when I am hungry, I sometimes impulsively spend too much money because of this! The smells are too good to resist. But the flip side is that when they are doing special events, the deals are very cheap.

If you visit here, try to open your eyes bigger and open your ears. If you hear a lady shouting about a “Time Sale,” run over there! You can get some amazing bargains on meat or fruit.

6. The “Snack Trap” at the Exit

Even when your shopping inside the market area is finished, the experience is not over yet.

Outside of the checkout counters, there are small stalls lining the way out. They draw your attention with delicious smells and visuals.

• Tteokbokki bubbling in red sauce.
• Kimbap stacked high.
• Hotteok (sweet pancakes) making that sizzling sound on the griddle.
• Dakgangjeong (Korean-style fried chicken with sauce).

I cannot just pass by this short way. I almost always buy some snacks before I leave the building. It’s the perfect reward for finishing the grocery run.

7. More Than Just Groceries

Easy Buy Supermarket Bongdam isn’t just about food.

• Basement 1 (B1): There is a lovely flower shop.
• 2nd Floor: A jewelry shop recently opened.
• Household Goods: Inside the mart, you can find small tools, electric items, pots, pans, and slippers. You can find more than you expect from just a supermarket.

8. The Alcohol Section & A Unique Gift Idea

The alcohol section has quite a variety of options. Even though I don’t drink much recently, just seeing the beautiful, colorful bottles makes me excited. I like to imagine what they would taste like.

They seem to procure new brands or new variations of flavors often. I found many things here that I couldn’t see at other local marts.

Gift Idea: One of the coolest things I found was Tabasco Sauce collaborated with Gochujang. This makes for a special gift to send to your home country. They probably have Tabasco sauce everywhere in the world, but mixed with Gochujang? I think you can only find that in Korea. It’s a unique souvenir that represents the fusion of cultures.

Important Information Before You Go

Before you grab your car keys, here are a few things you need to know:

• Operating Hours: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM (Midnight).
• Closing Days: Like most big supermarkets in Korea, it closes every 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month. Please check the calendar before you go!
• Location: Bongdam, Hwaseong City (Near the new apartment complexes).
  72 Sangni 1-gil, Bongdam-eup, Hyohaeng-gu, Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

Conclusion

We didn’t have such a big supermarket here in our immediate area for a long time, maybe never had before. I really hope Easy Buy Supermarket Bongdam boosts the local economy more and more. I hope seeing its success means even more stores will open in the future.

For now, whether I need a bottle of wine, a wide parking spot for my baby’s car seat, or just some sizzling Hotteok on a rainy day, this is my place. If you live in Hwaseong, give it a try! if you want to see the real time informaion, check out Easybuy Instagram channel too. You may can find a hot deal!!